Boa Vista is the third largest island of the Archipelago Cape Verde. Similar to the island of Sal, it is flat, and has a surface of 620 square kilometres. The Peak of Estância is the highest point of the island, measuring about 390 metres. It has large areas of white sand dunes. Oases of date palms are found here and there, and are the typical vegetation of the island. A few baobab trees can also be found in isolated locations.

Boa Vista has 55 kilometres of white sand beaches and clear water.

Understand

This island is considered to be the birth place of Morna, a main musical genre of the country.

Boa Vista went through some economic improvements in the beginning of the 17th century, when great amounts of salt were found on it. At the time, salt was already sold in the island of Maio. Before the discovery of salt, the island's economy was based on cattle breeding, just like the other arid islands of the archipelago.

The island is now very heavily geared towards tourism, principally catering towards package tours for Europeans, with many chartered flights operated by Tui, which also operates large resort-style hotels on the island located in isolated enclaves that have restricted access for locals.

Get in

By plane

Aristides Pereira International Airport is the gateway to the island. There are regular domestic flights to Sal island: Binter CV (Praia, Sal) and Cabo Verde Express (Sal). International destinations are primarily through Tui Airlines and its subsidiaries.

Get around

Taxis from Sal Rei to the airport are around 700 CVE. Many apartments or hotels will organise free pick-up from the airport if requested in advance.

Eat

• Tortuga Beach Club. Restaurant on the beach of Estoril. Wonderful family, wonderful location. 
• Bahia Beach Club. Lounge bar/restaurant on the beach. Cocktails, aperitifs, soft music. 
• Ca' Luisa. Italian/Cape Verdean restaurant with pizza and grilled fishes. 
• Cabo Cafè. Typical restaurant. Cape Verdean kitchen in the centre of the city. 
• Chandinho. Italian restaurant in the old town.