Santa Maria, Cape Verde: Average Review Ratings

Weather

Went in March 2010 and the weather was lovely but very windy. Dont be fooled by the cool breeze, i'm dark and i did burn my shoulders!

Holiday

The beaches are awsome and empty.

The waters are very clear with no stones, weed or litter.

The only thing we saw were two tiger sharks and a lemon shark. They looked huge in the water, but they do have shark spotters all along the beach.

The food was of a good standard and plenty to choose from, but I did get tired of the same soup.

The complex was exceptionally clean and tidy.

Places Recommended

Do get a taxi into the centre. The locals will hassle you but they are good people trying to earn a crust.

John (our shadow) trailed us for about an hour and in the end I asked him to show me where the Turtle shack is, invited him in for a drink and what a nice chap he turned out to be. 90% of occupants of from Senegal.

Recommend Santa Maria to others

Yes

Weather

We went in March and it was very windy. Apparently Feb and March is their windy season. 20-30 mph all the time which can be annoying but will make you burn in the sunshine. Believe me, I know.
Sunny most of the time but can be overcast but don't be fooled, you will be burning! The wind made going to the beach difficult and uncomfortable and most of the time the red flag was flying meaning you couldn't swim as the breakers/waves were huge.
About 25 degrees most days with a couple of days hotter but with the wind chill it felt cooler. Chilly in the evening so you will need cardigans and jumpers - especially if you've spent the day in the sun.
Overall an interesting climate, but we do have a great tan after just a week!

Holiday

Overall it was ok. Extremely relaxing. Lazing by the pool and taking advantage of the all inclusive 'free' bar and food.
There is barely anything to do outside of the resort. The hotel we stayed in provided everything you would need, many restaurants, a night club, bars and entertainment. There is a kids club/pool, tennis courts, shuffle board, darts etc. The animation team are always there to bug you to play games and things around the pool.
Overall if you are just looking to do absolutely nothing and veg out completely then this is the place for you. I'm 23 and to be honest, was becoming a bit bored after about 5 days because I just wanted to go out and do something else!

Places Recommended

The dune buggy morning was fantastic. Very professional and you get to see some great things. The island i just a huge expanse of nothingness but it great for racing around on buggys/quads.
It's much cheaper to rent them off the beach. The Thomsons hotel we stayed in offered them too us for much more expensive, and from what I can see.. it was the same people!
We did a tour of the island through the hotel. Was alright but every 2 minutes your going into a souvenir shop because i'm sure the local guide is either related to or knowsall the shop keepers! You do get to see the lives of local people thought which you wouldnt get to see otherwise. This was the only time we really left the hotel perimeter.

Recommend Santa Maria to others

Yes