SAL REI BUS TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Roteiro das Dunas • Boa Vista — Four hours between old settlements, surfless beaches and wind-sculpted dunes
A four-hour, coach-led loop from Sal Rei that links Povoação Velha, Praia de Santa Mónica and the Deserto de Viana for an accessible introduction to Boa Vista’s shorelines and cultural markers.
Roteiro das Dunas • Boa Vista — Four hours between old settlements, surfless beaches and wind-sculpted dunes.
Set out from Sal Rei for a concise circuit of Boa Vista’s southern coast and interior: a short walk through Povoação Velha, a long beach stop at Praia de Santa Mónica, a look at Praia da Varandinha and the island’s traditional fornos and tapuns, then a closing vantage over the shifting ridges of the Deserto de Viana before returning via Estância de Baixo and the Ribeira de Rabil.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Deserto de Viana — the island’s small Sahara
Finish the tour at the Deserto de Viana, where wind-driven dunes move and provide sweeping views over the ZDTI of Chaves, Rabil and Estância de Baixo — a compact sweep of Boa Vista’s desert-like topography.
Praia de Santa Mónica — a long, paradisiacal stop
The route includes a free period on Praia de Santa Mónica, widely regarded as one of Cabo Verde’s most beautiful beaches, giving time to relax and enter the water.
Povoação Velha, fornos and tapuns
The tour pauses in Povoação Velha, the island’s oldest settlement, and passes traditional lime and charcoal ovens and ‘tapuns’ — small agricultural structures associated with Boa Vista’s cultivated zones.
What the day feels like
How the tour unfolds
A hotel pickup heads south with a first stop for a short walk in historic Povoação Velha, then a longer beach break at Praia de Santa Mónica; continuing to Praia da Varandinha (with views of vernacular ovens and tapuns), the itinerary culminates at the wind-swept Deserto de Viana for panoramic perspectives before a return via Estância de Baixo and the Ribeira de Rabil back to the hotel.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this tour suits — concise profiles tied to the itinerary and booking terms.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The tour lasts approximately 4 hours.
Departure is from the hotel where the client is staying.
Stops include Povoação Velha, Praia de Santa Mónica, Praia da Varandinha, Deserto de Viana and a pass through Estância de Baixo alongside the Ribeira de Rabil.
Bring swimwear for the free time at Praia de Santa Mónica and personal items you’ll need for a short, four-hour outing.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the Roteiro das Dunas tour?
The tour duration is approximately 4 hours.
Where does the tour depart from?
The tour departs from the hotel where the client is staying.
Which places are visited on the route?
The itinerary includes Povoação Velha, Praia de Santa Mónica, Praia da Varandinha, the Deserto de Viana and a passage by Estância de Baixo and the Ribeira de Rabil.
Will there be time to swim on the tour?
Yes — the schedule includes free time at Praia de Santa Mónica for relaxation and bathing.
Are there any booking restrictions?
Confirmation of this excursion is valid for clients accommodated on Boa Vista.
What can I expect to see at Deserto de Viana?
You’ll see wind-shaped dunes and obtain views over the ZDTI (Zona de Desenvolvimento Turístico de Chaves), Rabil and Estância de Baixo.