Cape Verde: Wonders of Santiago Island - 7 Days 6 Nights

4.8
(4 reviews)

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7 days (approximately)
Pickup offered
Offered in: German and 5 more

Relish a traditional breakfast of tasty cuscuz and fidjós with a local family. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Cidade Velha and discover the birthplace of Cape Verdean nation and culture. Visit the religious community of Rabelados, the only community preserves Cape Verde's oldest customs and beliefs. Finally, relax on the white sand of the most picturesque beach on Santiago Island, Tarrafal Beach.

What's Included

Local Assiatance 24 hours a day
Lunch (Optional[5])
Lunch
All Fees and Taxes
All entrance fees;
Breakfast (Optional[6])
Breakfast
Hotel pick-up and drop-oof for all tours;
Custom and private roundtrip airport Transfers; Luggage Transfers;
Tours as mentioned in the program;
Accommodation (6 Nights);
Travel insurance;
Visa or Airport Security Tax fees (TSA).
International Flights;
Tourist tax (Paid locally: 2 Euros/Person/Night);
Sevices not mentioned in the program; Personal expenses.

Meeting and pickup

Pickup points
You can choose a pickup location at checkout (multiple pickup locations are available).

Itinerary

Duration: 7 days (approximately)
    Day 1

    Arrival - Airport Transfer (Praia Airport to Hotel in Praia) – Check in

    2 stops
  • 1

    Be welcomed by our professional driver and a licensed guide at Nelson Mandela Airport. Enjoy a high quality private transfer to your accommodation in Praia, including free waiting time.

    15 minutes • Admission ticket included
  • 2
    Praia

    Our team will also take you from door to door with complete security and professionalism, providing all relevant information about your stay.

    15 minutes • Admission ticket free
    • Day 2

    From Praia: Praia City Tour + Highlights of Cidade Velha

    8 stops
  • 3
    Farol de D. Maria Pia

    Startwith 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.

    20 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 4
    Praia City Hall

    Make your way to the historical center of Plateau.

    30 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 5
    Quartel Jaime Mota

    Take a walking tour through the Jaime Mota Military Barracks, and learn about the history of Cape Verdean independency..

    20 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 6
    Presidential Palace

    Pass by the Presidential Palace and Alexandre Albuquerque Square.

    Admission ticket free
  • 7
    Mercado de Sucupira

    . 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.

    30 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 8
    Fortaleza Real de San Felipe

    Explore Cidade Velha, a UNESCO World Heritage Site to see all its highlights of the old city.

    1 hour • Admission ticket included
  • 9
    Cidade Velha, Historic Centre of Ribeira Grande

    Visit 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.

    1 hour • Admission ticket included
  • 10
    Pelourinho

    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 drop-off at your hotel in Praia.

    1 hour • Admission ticket included
    • Day 3

    Santiago Island: Scenic Tour to Banana Plantation, Natural Park and Run Distillery

    5 stops
  • 11
    Santa Cruz

    Travel for approximately 45 minutes and arrive at the largest banana and coconut plantation in the country. Take a walk inside the agricultural fields while the local guide explains the varieties of fruits and dozens of plants that exist along the route.

    2 hours • Admission ticket free
  • 12

    Continue inland until you reach São Jorge dos Orgãos. Then, head to the foot of the highest mountain on the island, visit the local rum distillery (The Rum production season runs from January 1 st to May 31st) and Lemba Lemba Eco Bar in Longueira village.

    2 hours • Admission ticket free
  • 13

    Next, head between rocks and valleys to the village of Rui Vaz at an altitude of 800 meters and have lunch at a mountaintop restaurant.

    1 hour • Admission ticket free
  • 14

    After lunch, visit the Monte Txota Natural Park and start an easy 15-minute walk to a must-see viewpoint. Get fantastic panoramic views of the volcano on the nearby Fogo Island and get to know the highest peak of the island.

    30 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 15
    Praia

    Afterwards, be returned to your hotel in Praia.

    30 minutes • Admission ticket free
    • Day 4

    From Praia: Tarrafal Discovery Tour & Visit to Chão Bom Concentration Camp

    7 stops
  • 16
    Praia

    Get picked up at your hotel in Praia, then depart toward the interior of the island.

    1 hour • Admission ticket free
  • 17

    Make your first stop at Mrs. Luisa's house. There, sample cuscuz (a traditional cake made from corn flour) and fidjós (fried banana mixed with wheat), the typical breakfast for Cape Verdean families.

    1 hour • Admission ticket free
  • 18
    Assomada Market

    After breakfast, continue to the city of Assomada. Visit its famous market and admire the vibrant colors of the local fruits and vegetables.

    1 hour • Admission ticket free
  • 19
    Serra de Malagueta

    Move on to the Serra Malagueta natural park and marvel at the incredible views from 1000 meters (3,280 feet) above sea level.

    30 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 20
    Tarrafal Beach

    Next, discover Santiago's most beautiful beach at Tarrafal, known for its white sand and crystal-clear waters.

    1 hour • Admission ticket free
  • 21
    Camp De Concentration Du Tarrafal

    Take a break for lunch, and then visit the concentration Camp of Chão Bom, current resistance museum, used to imprison political prisoners who fought against the dictatorship.

    30 minutes • Admission ticket included
  • 22
    Tarrafal

    The tour concludes with drop-off at your accommodation in Tarrafal.

    10 minutes • Admission ticket free
    • Day 5

    Free day in Tarrafal

    1 stop
  • 23
    Tarrafal

    Day off to explore by your self. 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.

    1 day • Admission ticket free
    • Day 6

    From Tarrafal: Visit to Rabelados Community + Praia by Night

    5 stops
  • 24
    Tarrafal

    Get picked up at your accommodation and then return on the island's east coast.

    45 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 25
    Calheta de Sao Miguel

    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.

    2 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 26
    Santa Cruz

    Take a break for the lunch and then head between rocks and valleys to your hotel in Praia.

    1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 27
    Quintal da Música

    Get picked up at your accommodation at night, and depart toward one of the most popular restaurant of Santiago Island. There, enjoy 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.

    4 hours • Admission ticket not included
  • 28
    Praia

    The tour concludes with the evening transfer back to your accommodation in Praia.

    10 minutes • Admission ticket free
    • Day 7

    Goodbye Santiago Island

    2 stops
  • 29
    Praia

    Get picked up at your accommodation in Praia and depart toward Nelsom Mandela international airport.

    15 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 30

    Take your international flight back and say goodbye longing for "La Morabeza Crioula"!!!

    10 minutes • Admission ticket free

Additional info

  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • • The rum production season runs from January 1 st to May 31st
  • • Please bring passport, sandals/flip flops, confortable shoes, a towel, a hat, swimwear, and sunscreen;
Supplied by Bu Country Tours

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Tags

Multi-day Tours
Bus Tours
Cultural Tours
Historical Tours
Water Tours
Car Tours
Small Group
Additional fees
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Short term availability

Cancellation Policy

If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.

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Rating

4.8 Based on 4 4 reviews
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