Experiences
Água Hotels Sal Vila Verde
Just a few minutes from Água Hotels Sal Vila Verde, the town of Santa Maria offers an authentic experience of Sal, with restaurants, bars and terraces where Cape Verdean music can be heard. Visit the local market, full of fresh produce and handicrafts, and explore Pachamama Eco Park, which combines a botanical garden and a small zoo. The Santa Maria Pier, next to the 8 km white-sand beach, is ideal for watching the daily sale of fresh fish and practising sports such as kitesurfing and windsurfing.
In the capital, Espargos, discover local culture in its harmonious squares, colourful façades and pedestrian streets, and visit the island museum, with exhibitions on the history and art of Sal.
The natural heritage includes the Pedra de Lume Salt Flats, located inside the crater of an ancient volcano, where you can float in salt-rich waters. The Buracona Lava Pool reveals natural pools and the famous “Blue Lagoon”, where the sunlight creates the so-called “Blue Eye” effect.
In Murdeira Bay, a marine reserve with calm waters allows snorkelling, birdwatching, sea turtles (May to October) and fin whales (March to May), offering the perfect setting to admire the sunset. At Shark Bay (Baía dos Tubarões), you can swim with lemon sharks in their natural habitat — curious and harmless animals.
To explore the island’s desert landscapes and dunes, buggy or quad bike tours are the ideal way to discover places such as Serra Negra and the Ponta Preta Dunes, combining adventure with unforgettable views.