Sal
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Just a stone’s throw away from gorgeous Santa Maria beach, Hotel Casa Resort is a perfect choice for holidaymakers looking for a great value break on the island of Sal.
Ideally located a short walk from Santa Maria’s bustling shops, restaurants and bars, Halos Casa Resort provides everything you need for a sun-kissed escape. In the heart of the hotel’s well-kept lawn a large swimming pool invites you to take a dip, while the surrounding sunloungers offer adequate room to dry off in the sun.
When you’re not relaxing by the pool, the soft golden sands of Santa Maria beach beckon, a mere 3-minute walk from the hotel. Sip a cocktail in a beach bar, before taking an evening stroll along the shoreline. There’s also a small wellness centre on-site, where you can treat yourself to a massage or take your pick from a menu of tempting treatments. If that all sounds far too relaxing, the hotel offers beach volleyball, table tennis and a bowling green for those who enjoy a little more action on their Cape Verde holiday.
All 110 suites are comfortably furnished, with air-conditioning, either a balcony or terrace and a simple kitchen area for preparing snacks and small meals. Outside of your suite, you can enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner at Halos Casa Resort's La Joya restaurant. Serving international cuisine with a mixture of Cape Verdean specialities, La Joya’s outdoor veranda also offers the option to eat al fresco if you wish. After dinner, hop between the hotel’s three bars where you can unwind with a Mojito while enjoying some live musical entertainment.
Official local hotel rating: 4 star
Classic Suite
Sleeps up to 3 (2 adults)
The Classic Suites have either a balcony or terrace with views of the garden and pool area. They are comfortably furnished and include a double bedroom, living area and kitchenette.
Overview Sleeps: Up to 2 adults and 1 child Air-conditioning: Yes Beds: Double
Room Facilities Balcony or terrace LCD television Telephone Wi-Fi Safe Shower room
Classic 2 Bed Suite
Sleeps up to 5 (4 adults)
Larger in size, the Classic 2-bedroom Suites have either a balcony or terrace with views of the garden and pool area. They are comfortably furnished and include a double bedroom, twin bedroom, living area and kitchenette.
Overview Sleeps: Up to 4 adults and 1 child Air-conditioning: Yes Beds: Double and twin
Room Facilities Balcony or terrace LCD television Telephone WiFi Safe Shower room
Classic 3 Bed Suite
Sleeps up to 7 (6 adults)
Larger in size, the Classic 3-bedroom Suites are situated on the ground and first floor and have a terrace or balcony with views of the gardens and pool area. They are comfortably furnished with three bedrooms, one double and two twin, and include a living area.
Overview Sleeps: Up to six adults and one child Air-conditioning: Yes Beds: Double and two twins
Room Facilities Balcony or Terrace LCD television Telephone Wi-Fi Safe Shower room
White sand beaches and turquoise sea.
Principally a beach resort with long stretches of white sand and an abundance of water sports Sal is really an island for beach lovers as most of the island's sights and attractions can be seen in half a day.
By night, Santa Maria, the main tourist area in Sal boasts a lively atmosphere with a good choice of bars and restaurants.
Sal is the most developed of all the Cape Verde Islands in terms of tourism yet still has a very barren landscape. In the north of the island you will find a salt lake in an extinct volcano crater, an impressive sight. Marine life around the coast of Sal and the rest of the archipelago is high with countless species including flamboyant tropical fish, dolphins and turtles.
Live music plays a huge part in Cape Verdean culture and is often performed live in various bars in Santa Maria during the evening. This is a unique experience and one not to be missed.
A large percentage of visitors come to Sal for the water sports and it's hardly surprising. Sal's long sandy beaches and turquoise water make a wonderful playground for water sports enthusiasts. It is also the perfect place for relaxing in the sun and enjoying long walks along the coastline. Sal is considered to be amongst the world's top five windsurfing locations so it is not uncommon to see bright coloured sails dotted about the ocean. Kite surfing, diving and deep-sea fishing are also very big on Sal. There are plenty of places to hire equipment, have lessons and organise trips.
Santa Maria beach on Sal is simply stunning, offering four and a half miles of golden white sand. You can always find your own piece of paradise here, whether it be enjoying long romantic strolls along the shoreline and relaxing into the pure peacefulness, or hunting out the excellent water sports that the waters provides the perfect playground for.
The following are just a couple of festivals that take place on Sal:
Nossa Sra. De Piedade (Our Lady of Pity) 15th August - Mass, processions, swimming contests and music festival on beach with local musicians.
Santa Maria Festival (Municipality Day) 16th & 17th September - Music festival
It's important to remember that tourism is still very much in its infancy in Cape Verde. There's ongoing development on the islands, so you may see and hear building works, so if there's work taking place in or next to your chosen hotel, we will advise if you we think it will affect your holiday. You may also encounter locals selling paintings and handicrafts, however they're quite harmless.
With constant breezes the Islands don't disappoint for windsurfing holidays and the keenest windsurfer can pretty well count on being able to windsurf every day; however the seas and wind dictate that you need a fairly high level of competence and experience.
Due to their position within the winter tradewind belt, the Cape Verde Islands boast near perfect wind conditions from late November to June and so the Island of Sal has been a popular haven for windsurfing holidays for years.
On Sal, the main area for windsurfing is at the southern end of the island in Santa Maria. The bay here has a white sandy beach stretching for approximately 4km with a steep sand entry in parts.
For the more experienced, seeking the rush of some serious wave riding then a visit to Punta Preta, on the rougher west side, is a must. Waves here can reach up to 8ft running onto a stony shore break.
The Cape Verde Islands are a diver's paradise with wrecks to explore, rich tropical underwater flora and a massive array of fish including shoals of rockfish and bream, dolphins, turtles and sharks.
Cat sharks are frequently seen and with some luck you can also observe tiger sharks, lemon sharks, hammer-head sharks and mako sharks.
We are pleased to offer diving with Cabo Verde Diving based on the beach near the Meliá hotel in Santa Maria, Sal. Dives, courses and equipment hire can be arranged by your resort representatives or prior to your holiday.
Cabo Verde Diving offers dives every day in the morning and afternoon. Night dives and dive packages (6 or more dives) can also be arranged.