The Good Host & Check-in: Easy and seamless process with a very trustworthy host who provided great local tips and contacts. Connectivity: Getting a local eSIM (Unitel) is highly recommended since international roaming is quite expensive. Unitel provides 4G over LTE with speeds around 10–20 Mbps—more than enough for casual browsing and smooth WhatsApp calls. Transportation & Location: Getting around Sal is very straightforward. The island is flooded with taxis—especially in Santa Maria—and prices are reasonable. The Beach: Santa Maria’s beach is outstanding. The white sand and turquoise water (at a glorious 25°C in mid-to-late July) are incredible. Top tip: Bar Brasil is the spot for a Maracujá Caipirinha! Property & Amenities: The complex feels safe with visible security, and the grounds/landscaping are immaculate. The swimming pool is fantastic for a dip. Inside, the property is fully equipped with everything you need (just a heads-up that the corkscrew and scissors were broken during our stay, and there was no toillet paper). Activities: Shark Bay and the Salt Swimming Pool (Pedra de Lume) were absolute highlights. Food & Bakery Spots: Bakeries: A huge shoutout to Pão Quente Pastelaria (near Praça do Presidente) — their Pastéis de Nata and Bolas de Berlim are honestly better than what you get in most places back in Portugal! Espargos: We rented a car for 2 days and found Girasol—an amazing spot for an authentic Cape Verdean meal. Santa Maria: Café Criolo and Chams offered our best dining experiences at fair prices. Burgers: There are no major fast-food chains (a huge plus!), but if you want an outstanding burger, hit up Mekys. Payments: Most places easily accept credit cards and contactless payments. Prices are transparently listed in both CVE and Euros.

Immediate Area: The property is situated in a quieter spot surrounded by active construction sites. Be prepared for a bit of a walk to reach the main town center and popular restaurant areas. Shopping & Supermarkets: Note that there are no big supermarkets around (at least none that we noticed) — only small local shops. Be ready for a surprise when checking out, as prices for everyday items and groceries are heavily inflated due to the island relying almost entirely on imports. Cost vs. Value: While the island is striving to catch up with top global destinations, prices can feel steep for what is currently on offer. Unless ur at the center of Santa Maria, things get quiet really quicky as u walk near the beach, and lighting is quite sparse. Not really unsafe, but you feel it ... Local Interaction & Safety: The locals are overall very friendly and welcoming. However, be prepared for persistent street vendors and occasional begging. Make sure to negotiate/bargain for activities and stay aware of common tourist scams. Health & Food Precautions: Bring Imodium or similar anti-diarrhea medication just in case. Be cautious with food and water sensitivity: try to avoid unpasteurized dairy, raw eggs, raw salads, fruits, and ice. Ask where the ice in your drink came from (purified vs. tap water), or how was that salad washed. Locals are aware of the challenges with the tap water. Pro Tip: Bring high-DEET repellent and use it at night — the mosquitoes are relentless!

L'assistenza ricevuta sia prima della partenza che durante la permanenza è stata ottima. Appartamento molto carino e completo di tutto ciò che può servire (stoviglie, tovaglie, lenzuola, asciugamani, lavatrice, forno a microonde, ferro da stiro). Struttura esterna molto curata e con personale sempre presente. Posizione molto buona, circa 200 MT dal mare e 700 dal centro. Tutto facilmente raggiungibile a piedi

Bisognerebbe sistemare un pochino il fondo della piscina anche se devo dire che era sempre pulitissima.

la piscina

la sporcizia, le luci

Ci è piaciuto tutto, la posizione è fantastica e permette di raggiungere la spiaggia a piedi in pochissimi minuti. La passeggiata sul lungomare ti permette di raggiungere piacevolmente anche il centro di Santa Maria con tutti i negozi e ristoranti. Fantastica la presenza della piscina nel residence. La casa ha tutto il necessario per un piacevolissimo soggiorno in piscinta

Forse potrebbe essere leggermente migliorata la pulizia dell'appartamento ma per il resto è tutto perfetto.