Sal Cabo Verde Travel Guide is part of the Still The Best Trip Report.
TPOL’s Guns & Butter Travel Guide is the best way to see as much as you can in as little time as possible. Here’s how it works: A trip is composed of two factors: Labor And Lazy. The opportunity cost (what is given up) for relaxing and being Lazy is gained by being adventurous in the form of Labor and vice versa. The guide includes inefficient activities i.e., tourist traps that should be avoided and aspirational activities that are worth doing but may be impossible to see given the constraints of time and resources.
Welcome to one of the best places in the world. If you know TPOL, then you know this is high praise. I enjoyed Cabo Verde so much, that I would do what for me is unthinkable. I would return. Here’s why:
Hotel
I had a relaxing stay at the Hilton Cabo Verde (see Hilton Cabo Verde: Perfect, Peaceful Stay).
Beach
The beach went on for miles and was tranquil even with storm clouds rushing in.
Party
While it’s not Porto Cervo, Sardinia, Santa Maria, the small town on the island of Sal, was much better than Tenerife (see Playa de Las Americas, Tenerife: Well That Sucked). Walk down the main street to see what is lively. The busiest bar was Calema, but Pirata Discoeta was also recommended by the hotel.
Food
Forget the party, come to CV for the food. Here is where I ate:
- The Bounty
I typically do not eat at the hotel, but sometimes I can’t be bothered to leave the property. I made an exception as I was trying to sort out how I would get off this island (see Stuck on a Deserted Island? TPOL’s Trouble in Cabo Verde).
- Ocean Cafe
Ocean Cafe was my favorite because it had music, ambiance, people, and excellent food.
TPOL’s Tip: Ocean Cafe is located on Praça Central, CV, Santa Maria 4111, Cape Verde.
- Zan Tanquinho
This place had no ambiance, was not on the main street, and was poorly lit. No matter, the octopus rice was perfect.
$25 for a carpaccio appetizer, two glasses of wine, and more rice than one person can eat alone.
TPOL’s Tip: The address is 4111 Santa Maria, CV.
- Pho
Who knew there was delicious pho in CV? I found out by going to Pho Hanoi (see What the Pho? In Cabo Verde). 
TPOL’s Tip: Pho Hanoi is located at 104 Rua Patrice Lumumba Santa Maria Sal CV, Santa Maria, Cape Verde.
- Gelato
Anytime I have gelato, I wonder how these crooks in Amalfi Coast could charge so much (see A Beautiful Tourist Trap).
Day Drinking
While the nightlife was not impressive, there were two noteworthy places to day drink.
- Bob Marley’s
I described Cabo Verde as Puerto Rico’s Fraternal Twin. In Rio Mar, my resort home, we have to listen to Jimmy Buffett at our hotel bar. In CV, I found it much more relaxing to chill out on the beach with Bob.
- Bikini Bar
Perhaps I was too hungover from my Ocean Cafe dinner plus night out to enjoy Bikini Bar, CV’s answer to a Las Vegas pool party (see Vegas Knockout: Fading to Blackout at the Hard Rock). More than likely it was not enjoyable because the music was too loud, too old, the scene was amateur, and there were kids at the pool.
Souvenirs
Be sure to buy a jersey and something with CV’s ‘no stress’ theme.
People
People in CV are friendly, welcoming, and like to have a great time. This is another reason why CV is one my favorite places.
Next Time
I would like to explore the other islands of Cabo Verde. I will make sure that my flights are arranged ahead of time.
