If you are looking for a workation destination with a nice climate and little time difference, Cape Verde is a good choice. The weather here is nice almost all year round, around 26 degrees. There are many direct flights and it only takes 6 hours. This group of islands is located in the Atlantic Ocean, off the west coast of Africa. I went for a workation to the island of Sal.
Essentials: Vitamin D and wifi
To avoid a winter dip, I, like many, had a huge need for nice weather. Just some vitamin D (not from a jar) and being outside a lot. November therefore seemed like the ideal time for a trip to tropical Cape Verde. If you have the freedom to do your work anywhere, this is definitely the time to take advantage of it.
I am very curious about the island of Sal. What there is to do, the culture in Cape Verde and, of course, not entirely unimportant: whether the wifi is good enough to be able to work there nicely. The latter is certainly the case in the right places. Check! And with only 2 hours time difference, you can stay well in touch with the Netherlands.
What to do on the island of Sal?
After your workday, you can get out and about. On the island of Sal there is more than enough to do during your workation in Cape Verde. In fact, I spent a week there myself and I definitely want to go back because I still want to discover so many nice things on the island. I hereby like to share my experiences with you.
Island tour
Whether you are traveling alone or with a group, be sure to go on an island tour. A local guide will take you in his pickup jeep to the nicest spots on the island. For example, I went with guide Olivio to Shark Bay, where you literally stand among baby sharks in the water. Then to Salinas de Pedra de Lume the salt lakes where you can cleanse your skin and float in the water. Through the desert with a mirage to Buracona Blue Eye Cave. Finally some food at a nice local joint in Espargos.
Kitesurfing
On Sal there is a lot of wind, not only is that very nice against the heat, you can almost always kitesurf because of this. It is a bit pricey, but incredibly cool to learn. I have done it myself at the kitesurf school of world champion Mitu and I am sold! You can also wave surf and windsurf in some places.
Quad Riding
Because of the dry plains, this island is the perfect place for quad and baby carriage riding. This can be done during the day or on an adventurous night ride. A top activity for the adrenaline junkies.
Cycling through Santa Maria
You’re either a Dutchman or you’re not, so here too I jumped on my bike. Not just any bike, but an electric fatbike. Mega cool! You see Santa Maria, Kite Beach, the local market, salt plains, the beautiful beach at Ponta Preta and occasionally tear across the arid plains at a brisk pace. Meanwhile, the local guide tells you everything about the island.
Snorkeling and diving
Of course, you can snorkel and dive on the tropical island. I took a boat from the pier out to sea to snorkel and was even lucky enough to see 2 turtles and a shipwreck.
Bootcamp on the beach
Looking for some sportsmanship? Then go boot camp on the beach. You can also do boxing. You will work up a sweat at your own level under the guidance of an experienced trainer. Afterwards you will have earned your beer.
Nice restaurants on Sal, Cape Verde
- Palm Beach Sal: right on the beach you will find this super atmospheric beach club with delicious food. Tip: try cachupa, a typical Cape Verdean soup. This is also eaten for breakfast the day after, then the fried variety.
- Angulo Beach: a fun place if you’re looking for a chill beach vibe.
- Odjo d’água: at this beautiful place by the water you can eat delicious food. A place that is sure to impress!
- Simple Grill: if you want good local and approachable food this is a must. No fancy menu, just a chalkboard with the options. Brasa Quente is comparative and also very nice.
- Bikini Beach Bar: feel like partying at the beach? Here the music pops out of the speakers and the party goes wild on a regular basis.
- Esplanada Rotterdam: this Dutchman with Cape Verdean roots in Palmeira is very well known on the island. Straight from the sea on your plate you eat delicious fresh fish here, cozy among the locals.
A glimpse into real Cape Verdean life
When I travel, I want to really get to know a destination. I don’t just go down the tourist hot spots, I want to get to know the real Cape Verdeans and see how they live. Besides the paradise the tourists see, there is always another side, the poverty among the locals. I want to see and hear what challenges they have, but also what opportunities there are in developments. I went out with local Olivio. It turned out to be a special day. He took us to the poor neighborhoods, where people live in shacks, without running water and electricity. They have no work, no opportunities, no prospects.
Then you realize again how good we Dutch have it. So I like to spend my euro on an island like this, where the money from tourism contributes to the development of the country.
The perfect workation location in Cape Verde
I myself joined an accommodation that wanted to increase the development of remote working on the island, but unfortunately they have since stopped. A great pity, because with that you could learn the real Cape Verde and also make a social contribution to the development of Sal, which is still badly needed in many places. You could also do volunteer work, like I did at an elementary school.
In Sal, almost everyone goes to Santa Maria, which is very nice for tourists. Here I got to know the Dutch Bobby, who lives here with her parents and child and runs beautiful apartments. Then you are in a top location, next to the beach and cozy beach bars. Want a little more luxury? Then the Hilton Cabo Verse Sal Resort is just what you’re looking for.
Through Moda Casa’s network, many options are negotiable to make a social impact on Sal. In addition to group activities, you can also contribute yourself by volunteering for an afternoon or a few hours, for example.
Visa in Cape Verde
Up to a period of 30 days, you can simply enter and leave the country as a tourist and do not need to arrange a visa for this. You only have to pay a one-time fee of about €35 for airport tax upon arrival at the airport. You can also arrange this in advance online. Do you want to stay longer? Then it is best to arrange this in advance at the Consulate General of Cape Verde in Rotterdam. You can currently get a visa for a maximum of 90 days. Through my network I know that there are also possibilities to stay even longer, but these developments are still in their infancy.
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