Explore Sal Island
Quiet beaches, steady winds, chilled bars. Welcome to Cape Verde’s easy-going paradise. ARTICLESBOOKS & MORETHE 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
Humpback Whale: The Beautiful Giant in Cape Verde
Humpback whale is among the most recognisable and widely studied of the great whales, known for acrobatic breaches, haunting songs, and long pectoral fins.
Cape Verdean Pastéis Variations: Which one is The Best?
Pastéis are deeply rooted in the Cape Verdean tradition. No festive occasion is complete without a substantial mountain of these pastries on the table.
Santa Maria Beach: Soft Sand and the Beautiful Ocean
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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.
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Salinas Pedra de Lume: All You Need to Know about Salt Mines
Nestled within the crater of a dormant volcano on Sal Island, Cape Verde, the Salinas de Pedra de Lume weave a story of nature, ingenuity and transformation.
Sal’s Endemic Flora: Botanical Survival on a Desert Island
On Sal, evolution has operated under constraints so severe that each surviving endemic species represents a masterclass in adaptation.
Orlando Pantera: Great Musical Genius Who Died Too Soon
The story of Orlando Pantera serves as a tribute to an artist who never achieved stardom but remains a powerful symbol of Cape Verdean identity and culture.
Tcheka: Great Singer and Guitar Virtuoso from Cape Verde
Tcheka is a Cape Verdean singer, songwriter and guitarist, well known for his work in transposing the traditional genre batuque to the electro-acoustic guitar.
Bana: The Great “King of Morna” and Cultural Trailblazer
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Palmeira: Fishing Village and Sal’s Most Important Port
Where Sal’s desert plains meet the Atlantic, Palmeira stands — an island lifeline that hums with maritime purpose.
Morna: the Beautiful Sodade in Cape Verdean Music
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Birds of Cabo Verde: The Most Popular Species
Cabo Verde is an ornithologists’ paradise. It is a fantastic place for birdwatching. There are many bird species here, both native only to the islands of the archipelago (and nowhere else) and many typically African and migratory species. Below is a list of over 20 bird species observed on Sal and the other islands. How many of them have you seen?
Buddy Bar: The Most Popular Music Spot on Sal
If you’ve been researching bars in Santa Maria, you’ve probably seen or heard Buddy Bar mentioned everywhere. It’s that characteristic, orange-colored corner building on Rua 1 de Junho that many travel blogs seem to rave about. But what’s the real deal with this place?
Ocean Café: Sensational For Its Good Music And Dance
Right in the heart of Santa Maria, facing the historic town square and just 50 meters from the beach, stands one of the important centres of local nightlife, Ocean Café.
Digital Nomads: What’s the Best Place To Stay On Sal?
The rise of remote work is transforming Sal from a week-long beach destination into a viable base for location-independent professionals. However, success requires careful planning around the island’s infrastructure limitations and lifestyle adjustments.
Mayra Andrade: The Best Cosmopolitan Singer of Cape Verde
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Pontão: The Unique, Iconic Pier of Santa Maria
The sun breaks over the Atlantic at 10 a.m. Fishing boats return to Santa Maria. Their hulls paint the water in blues, reds, and yellows. Engines sputter and die as they approach the pier. This daily scene has played out at the Pontão for decades. The wooden pier does more than receive boats. It holds the rhythm of Cape Verdean life.
Street Art of Santa Maria: Beautiful Gallery of Murals
Thanks to Arte’d Zona and many local artists, the streets of Santa Maria became a stunningly colourful gallery of artworks. From realistic portraits and animals, through scenes from the island’s life and traditions, to abstract shape compositions, we can admire works painted by many young and older hands. On almost every street, the walls of buildings emanate a vibrant, positive energy.
The Most Famous Cape Verdean People by Field
From musical legends who brought the sounds of the islands to the world stage, to writers, leaders, athletes, scientists, and activists, Cape Verdeans …
Salt Flats of Santa Maria: Beautiful Mosaic in Sand
In the south of Sal Island, beyond Santa Maria’s golden beaches and resort hotels, lies a different kind of treasure – a broad, sunbaked expanse of inland salt flats. These salinas stretch out just north of Santa Maria town, their pale crust shimmering under the Saharan breeze. They are often overlooked in favour of Sal’s more famous crater salt lake at Pedra de Lume, but Santa Maria’s salt pans have a story all their own. It was here that the town of Santa Maria was born in 1830, founded expressly to harvest the “white gold” of salt. Today, the salt flats are quiet and mostly dry, visited occasionally by wading birds and curious tourists. However, they remain a poignant landscape – a protected site of ecological interest and a living monument to the island’s history. This article explores how these inland salt flats once fueled Santa Maria’s early growth, what has become of them since the salt trade ebbed, and how the local community regards the salinas in the present day.
Kriol Jazz Festival: Cape Verdean Bridge To The World
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Morabeza: The Unique Caboverdean Hospitality
In Cape Verdean Creole, morabeza refers to a deep-rooted culture of hospitality and friendly, relaxed warmth.