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On my second day in Santo Antão, my plan was to hike through the mountains and immerse myself in the natural beauty of Cabo Verde. I booked

When I was building my vacation itinerary for Cabo Verde, I knew I wanted to visit Santo Antão. This island is famous for its agriculture,

Santo Antão is a stunning island that feels super tranquil, yet it is slowly gaining in popularity.

If you’re short on time, one of the best ways to get a quick overview of a city is through a guided tour with a knowledgeable local guide.

I visited four of the Cabo Verdean islands, and São Vicente is my favorite so far. My soul was smiling when I was there.

One of the top destinations on my bucket list was São Vicente, an island in the northern part of Cabo Verde. After visiting, I can confidently say that Mindelo, its vibrant cultural hub, became my absolute favorite! Looking back, I wish I had stayed longer and rented a car to explore more.

If you take a 10-minute walk from the beach to the left side where the boats are, you are going to find a huge colorful Tarrafal sign like the one you can see in every big city. But this one is even better because it’s facing the beach, so you can take amazing pictures with the ocean as your background. 

The market definitely lives up to the hype! You can find everything there, food, clothes, tailors, souvenirs, there are even women who cook for the vendors and regular customers. The market is well organized, each specialty has its own section: fashion items are on the upper floor, and food is sold inside, on the ground level. Souvenirs are sold outside, Senegalese tailors are also outside, etc. 

There is one place I really wanted to visit in Praia was Tarrafal. It’s a nice little quiet city 1h30 minutes away from Praia (by car). I took the little taxi van to go there from Praia, and the drive was scenic. You go up and down the hill, it’s really beautiful! You can see the ocean when you are on top of the hill, this view is unmatched.

During your visit, you will learn about the slave trade, how Boa Vista was impacted by famine, how the independence movement grew in the archipelago, and who were its leaders. Although the museum is small, the visit is worthwhile: the staff is super knowledgeable and can offer you a guided visit (the museum actually offers a lot of guided tours to local schools) and there is a shop with a snack boutique on site.

My first adventure in Boa Vista was a 4-hour snorkeling excursion that included hotel pickup, a scenic drive to the snorkeling spot, and a stop at a charming village for photos.

Viana Desert was next on the itinerary. It’s smaller than I imagined, but still very impressive, like a mini Sahara! It’s similar to the dunes, but the sand isn’t by the ocean, and the dunes are much taller. My guide mentioned that some people slide down the dunes on planks, but I wouldn’t recommend it.

On my second day in Boa Vista, I was determined to visit as many of the main attractions as possible since my time on the island was limited. So, I woke up bright and early for a half-day excursion led by a super friendly Senegalese guide! We had our own car and a list of must-see spots, making stops at each one.

Let's venture to another beautiful island, Boa Vista! As a beach lover, I couldn't resist visiting one of the most stunning natural beaches in Cabo Verde. To maximize my time, I opted to fly between islands instead of taking a boat. A crucial tip for fellow travelers: you can't book these flights online, as the websites often don't work. Instead, use a travel agency. I chose Atlantur.

The first journey I want to share is my trip to Cabo Verde, a magnificent archipelago just off the coast of Senegal. When I choose a destination, I consider the beauty of the beaches, the weather, and the richness of the culture and history. Cabo Verde ticked all those boxes and then some! It’s an affordable and very safe destination for solo female travelers, I never felt unsafe during my time there.