Explore Sal Island

Quiet beaches, steady winds, chilled bars. Welcome to Cape Verde’s easy-going paradise.
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THE OCEAN, SAND & SUN

“Paradise is when your mind is in a perfect state,” says Frederick Lenz, and that’s what Cabo Verde offers you — it’s both a colourful and a happy place if you only discover its vibrant energy, natural beauty and great culture. The more you get to know it, the more fascinating it gets. Explore the Island of Sal through our website, and see if you fall in love with what Sal can offer you.

New Articles

Where to Stay on Sal Island: Choosing The Best Place

Where to Stay on Sal Island: Choosing The Best Place

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Map of Cape Verde with Sal Island Marked Black © Sal, Cape Verde

Understanding Cape Verde

An essential step towards truly understanding a country’s culture is diving into its history. Events from the past profoundly shape local customs, behaviours, and the community’s character. To see Cabo Verde beyond its image as a sun-soaked tourist paradise, you first need to get familiar with its past — learning Caboverdian history is your starting point. From there, the authentic beauty and richness of local life become genuinely visible. Explore our pages to discover more about genuine Cape Verdean culture, away from tourist clichés.

History & Culture

Carnival

FEBRUARY

When: 3 days before Ash Wednesday
Where: all islands

Independence Day

JULY

When: July 5th
Where: all islands

Santa Maria Festival

SEPTEMBER

When: Mid-September
Where: Santa Maria, Sal

Explore

Santa Maria Beach: Soft Sand and the Beautiful Ocean

Santa Maria Beach: Soft Sand and the Beautiful Ocean

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How to Play Ouril: Rules of The Traditional Game

How to Play Ouril: Rules of The Traditional Game

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Ouril (also spelt ouri, uril, urim, or ori depending on the island) is a traditional Cape Verdean board game of the mancala family. It was brought to Cabo Verde by enslaved people from West Africa and has been passed down through generations. The game is especially popular among men, often played in public squares and port towns, such as Mindelo (São Vicente). In essence, Ouril is a two-player strategy game where each player “sows” seeds and captures the opponent’s seeds to gain an advantage. Below is a comprehensive guide in two parts: first, a beginner-friendly walk-through of rules and gameplay; second, advanced tips on strategy and regional variations (including notes on the island of Sal).