Cape Verde’s Local Flavors: Santiago, Maio & Fogo Islands

Day 1: Arrival – Airport Transfer – Hotel Check-in

After disembarking, be welcomed by Your travel representative, who will be waiting for you at Nelson Mandela International Airport with a sign displaying your name, as informed by you. Then, enjoy a private and custom transfer from the airport to your accommodation. Our team will take you from door to door with complete security and professionalism, providing all relevant information about your stay. Overnight in Praia.

🏚️ Hotel Option: Deluxe ApartHotel in Praia (Santiago Island) or similar.

Day 2: From Praia: Praia City Tour + Highlights of Cidade Velha

Start with a pickup from your accommodation in Praia, and first visit the Dona Maria Pia Lighthouse. Take stunning pictures from the top of the Lighthouse surrounded by the large cannons installed to protect the island from the attack of pirates such as Francis Drake and Jacques Cassard. Make your way to the historical center of Plateau. Take a walking tour through the Jaime Mota Military Barracks, passing by the Presidential Palace and Alexandre Albuquerque Square. In the Municipal Market, meet locals and find a diverse range of fresh local fruits and vegetables. Next, explore the largest souvenir market to be found in Cape Verde, the Sucupira Market. Explore Cidade Velha, a UNESCO World Heritage Site to see all its highlights such as the Royal Fortress of São Filipe, the ruins of the first sub-Saharan African Cathedral, the fishermen bay, the former slave market in Pelourinho, the famous Banana Street with its traditional houses, the Nossa Senhora do Rosário church, and finally the Convent of São Francisco. At lunch, enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the city, and taste local delights in a typical restaurant right on the seafront. The tour concludes with a drop-off at your hotel in Praia.

🏚️ Hotel Option: Deluxe ApartHotel in Praia (Santiago Island) or similar.

Day 3: From Praia: Full-day Maio Island Experience

Starting from your hotel in the city of Praia, head straight to the harbor. The ferry will depart at 7:00 am for a two-hour trip to Maio. The island of Maio is 103 square miles and is the flattest island on Cape Verde. There, start your discovery from the Eco-Museum, and learn about the history of the colonization of the island, rooted in the exploitation of salt, which was exported to several countries. After, visit the Salinas wetland of Porto Inglês and have a chance to see the locals producing Salt. Next, head to Morro Village and have a typical breakfast with a local family. Your tour progresses to the locality of Calheta, where a visit to its handcraft center gives you the opportunity to buy some souvenirs. Then, continue towards the agricultural and fishing areas until the Morrinho dunes. There, have an easy walk throughout the white sand dunes that were brought by the wind from the Sahara desert. Take a break for lunch at Pedro Vaz, the first Village to be inhabited. Then, drive back to the capital of the island and visit São José Fortress, built in the 18th century to protect the island from pirate attacks. Take a break for a well-deserved lunch in a local atmosphere, and then be transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Maio.

🏚️ Hotel Option: Casa Evora in Vila do Maio (Maio Island) or similar.

🚢 A ferry ticket (Praia – Maio) is included.

Day 4: Free day in Maio

Start your day with a delicious breakfast at your accommodation and then explore Maio by yourself. You may like to relax on the white sand of the most picturesque and beautiful beach on the Island, Beachrotxa, known for its golden sand and crystal-clear waters. Overnight in Maio.

🏚️ Hotel Option: Casa Evora in Vila do Maio (Maio Island) or similar.

Day 5: Hotel Check-out – Transfer out – Flight (Maio – Fogo) – Check-in São Filipe

Start your day with a delicious breakfast at your accommodation and get prepared to discover your next destination, Fogo Island. Enjoy a private transfer from Vila do Maio to Maio Airport and then, catch your flight to Fogo. Land at São Filipe Airport and be transfered to your hotel in São Filipe. Enjoy the quiet afternoon time vibe and relish a local dish at a local restaurant. In the evening, feel free to enjoy the live local band, in one of the restaurants near to your accommodation. Overnight in São Filipe.

🏚️ Hotel Option: Pipi’s Guest House In São Filipe (Fogo Island) or similar.

✈️ Domestic Flights from Maio to Fogo are included.

Day 6: Fogo Island: Full-Day Guided Tour from São Filipe

After breakfast, be picked up at your accommodation and then depart toward São Filipe, the capital of the island. There, explore “Sobrados” and wander around this charming little town lined with colorful colonial houses. Next, head to the small Municipal Museum and appreciate the simplicity of the objects that portray the local history. Head inland to the small villages of Achada Furna and Cabeça Fundão. There, learn about the history of the residents who had their houses submerged by the lava from the recent volcanic eruption of 2014. Arrive at Chã das Caldeiras National Park and admire uninterrupted views of the volcano and rugged surrounding landscape. Marvel with an amazing view from the foot of Cape Verde’s highest mountain, the active volcano, one of the best attractions in the country. After that, take a break for a well-deserved lunch in a local atmosphere and buy or taste at your expense one of the best wines in the world. Overnight in São Filipe.

🏚️ Hotel Option: Pipi’s Guest House In São Filipe (Fogo Island) or similar.

Day 7: From Fogo: Full-Day Santiago Island Tour & Tarrafal

Say goodbye to Fogo Island and head to the airport for your flight back to Santiago Island. Upon arrival, be picked up at Nelson Mandela Airport and then head towards the interior of the island. Make your first stop at Mrs. Luisa’s house. There, sample cuscus (a traditional cake made from corn flour) and fidjós (fried banana), the typical breakfast for Cape Verdean families. After breakfast, continue to the city of Assomada. Visit its famous market and admire the vibrant colors of the local fruits and vegetables (Wednesdays and Saturdays only). After that head to Boa Entrada, a small agricultural village, where locals earn their daily bread through agriculture. There, see sugar cane plantation, coconut, and mango trees, and get to know the oldest and largest tree of Cape Verde, a giant Kapok with 500 years of history. Move on to the Serra Malagueta natural park and marvel at the incredible views from 1000 meters (3,280 feet) above sea level. Next, visit the Concentration Camp of Chão Bom, a prison used to imprison European and African politicians who fought against the Salazar regime. Overnight in Tarrafal.

🏚️ Hotel Option: Hotel Vista Mar in Tarrafal (Santiago Island) or similar.

✈️ Domestic Flights from Fogo to Santiago are included.

Day 8: Free day in Tarrafal

Start your day with a delicious breakfast at your accommodation and then explore Tarrafal by yourself. You may like to relax on the white sand of the most picturesque and beautiful beach on Santiago Island, Tarrafal Beach, known for its white sand and crystal-clear waters. Overnight in Tarrafal.

🏚️ Hotel Option: Hotel Vista Mar in Tarrafal (Santiago Island) or similar.

Day 9: Visit Rabelados Community, Banana Plantation, and Local Rum Distillery + Praia by Night

Get picked up at your accommodation and then return to the island’s east coast. Make your first stop in Espinho Branco and visit the religious community of Rabelados, the only community that still lives in thatched houses and preserves Cape Verde’s oldest customs and beliefs. There, see the local handicraft production and have the opportunity to buy handmade paintings from local artisans. Travel for approximately 45 minutes and arrive at the largest banana and coconut plantation in the country. Take a small walk inside the agricultural fields while the local guide explains the varieties of fruits and dozens of plants that exist along the route. Then, head to the foot of the highest mountain on the island, where you will visit the traditional local distillery and taste the famous local rum called “grogue”. In the evening, be transferred to one of the most popular restaurants on Santiago Island. There, enjoy a live local music band and relish the most famous dish ever made in Cape Verde, Katxupa, a slow-cooked stew of corn, beans, cassava, sweet potato, fish or meat, and more. Overnight in Praia.

🏚️ Hotel Option: Deluxe ApartHotel in Praia (Santiago Island) or similar.

Day 10: Goodbye Cabo Verde

Start your last day with a delicious breakfast at your accommodation and then enjoy your free time according to the flight schedules. Check out from the accommodation in Praia and at agreed time be picked up and transferred to Nelson Mandela international airport. Catch your international flight back home and say goodbye to “La Morabeza Crioula”.