Boa Vista
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£1144(from/pp) SAVE £45pp
£1819(from/pp)
Private transfers are included for this hotel
A charming, seafront property in the small town of Sal Rei, Orquidea Guest House is best described as a tropical paradise.
Our Guest’s Opinion:
- Mr Theobald
Its location on the calmer side of the bay, the perfect place for a stroll along the beach.
Orquidea Guest House is perfect for experiencing the real Boa Vista, with Sal Rei right on your doorstep
An intimate property with just a handful of simple, comfortable guest rooms, Orquidea Guest House is a hotel set in colourful, tropical gardens filled with hibiscus and palm trees, synonymous with Cape Verde. Offering a wonderfully secluded and paradisiacal atmosphere, there’s a small courtyard where breakfast is served, which is also home to flourishing banana trees, all of which add to Orquidea Guest Houses's Cape Verdean charm. As if that wasn’t enough character, you’ve also got the friendly pet dogs, cats and turtles which reside in the grounds.
A short stroll will take you into the centre of Sal Rei, Boa Vista’s capital, where unlike other capitals, there’s just a handful of local bars and restaurants. Plus, not forgetting the glorious stretch of beach just in front of Orquidea, the calmer side of the golden sandy bay; from here wander along the fine sands to find the perfect spot.
While staying at Orquidea, we recommend exploring the island’s awe-inspiring beaches, turtle conservation, the Cabo Santa Maria Shipwreck or embarking on a guided quad bike excursion across the endless sand dunes.
Orquidea Guest House is a perfect choice away from the larger resorts, where you can achieve total relaxation in intimate, beautiful surroundings, and experience the real Boa Vista.
Official local hotel rating: Guesthouse
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Double Standard Room
From £1,144pp
Sleeps up to 2
These standard double bedded rooms have either air-conditioning or a fan. Twin beds are available on request. With or without a balcony or terrace.
Double Superior Room
From £1,191pp
Sleeps up to 3 (2 adults)
These double bedded rooms have either air-conditioning or a fan, and a balcony. Similar in facilities and decor to the standard rooms however these rooms are generally on a higher floor and a little extra floorspace.
Opening dates are subject to change and beyond our control.
Local
Sodade di nha Terra - Rabil
Cape Verdean
More information
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International cuisine
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Italian
Unspoilt expanses of beach and sea Boa Vista is home to some of the most dazzling beaches on the archipelago covering a staggering 55km. Closest to the African mainland, Boa Vista is not only renowned for its stunning beaches but its marine life too. Nightlife here is very low key and quiet with just a scattering of local restaurants and bars.
Boa Vista is quite literally covered in sand and many buildings have been completely absorbed leaving an endless blanket of sand. A great example of this is on Praia da Chaves, an old ceramic factory covered in sand is still intact with machines in situ! Sahara like dunes in the interior of the island with sprouting date palms are an impressive sight and well worth a visit.
Depending on the time of year you may even spot some turtles on the islands southern beaches. Boa Vista is thought to be third most important loggerhead nesting site in the world, with the favoured time of year for turtles to nest usually being during the months of June through to September.
The miles of unspoilt coast line are excellent for you to enjoy uninterrupted walks as well as being a popular location for windsurfing enthusiasts. Other water sports are available in addition to quad biking tours and line and deep-sea fishing.
The island of Boa Vista is also home to some of the most spectacular beaches in the archipelago with a dazzling 55km stretch of white powdery sands. The most spectacular is Praia de Chaves, where the sand dunes have been sculpted by the winds into some amazing arcs.
There are a few festivals on the island. Plans change from year to year but normally there is the common music festival that takes place in Santa Cruz in August. The other main colourful festival is:
Santa Isabel (Municipality Day) 4 July - the day of Santa Isabel, the patron saint of the island. Celebrated with processions, swimming, horse racing, tours and a public ball.
Loggerhead turtles call the island and surrounding waters home and Ervatão Beach on the south east coast is considered the world's third most important loggerhead turtle nesting site. Between July and September, you can witness the turtles coming onto the beaches and laying their eggs in nests on the beach.
Best reached through an exhilarating 4x4 tour, this excursion whisks you to Praia de Santa Maria, allowing you to witness one of the most iconic scenes on the island of Boa Vista. The ship ran aground on this beach in 1968 whilst sailing to Brazil, today the wreck provides an excellent dramatic photo opportunity.
A popular stop on the island tours of Boa Vista, combined with the shipwreck above, a visit to this desert makes for an exciting day out. The expansive white sand dunes have slowly formed over time, with sand having been blown across the Atlantic from the Sahara Desert.
Not many islands do it better! Watersports are a great way to spend time getting active on the azure waters. Kitesurfing is becoming increasingly popular on the island of Boa Vista, lessons are available for all abilities and it is a fun way to make to most of the windier weather. Windsurfing is also a great established sport on the island.
Why not try your hand at surfing or sailing? Both sports are available to do with lessons for beginners and rental equipment available. There are also great opportunities for scuba diving on the island.
Excellent Holiday – Guest House family & staff friendliness & helpfulness contributed to this.
Mr Halliday – Guest – Orquidea Guest House