Cabo Verde-Santo Antao
Essentials
- EASE-Traveller Pre-registration form. Here
- Komoot app for hiking trails
- Minibuses are also often used as taxis for tourists. Ask for an Aluguer Colectivo to share the minibus with locals; otherwise, the driver may try to charge an expensive single fare.
Flight Oporto - Sao Vincente
From Sao Vincente to Santo Antao (Ferry ticket A/R costs 3000 CVE = 24£) , if so :
| Company | Departure |
|---|---|
| Nos Ferry | 2 pm |
| CV Interllhais | 3 pm |
Upon arrival you have 2 options:
-
Take a shared taxi from the Port to Vale do Paul driving around the coast and walk uphill.
-
You will arrive around 5 pm and the sunsets at 7pm so do not hike until the next day.
-
Take a shared taxi from Porto Novo to Faja de Cima and walk downhill
-
The downhill walk takes approximately 3 hours, and you will reach your accommodation in Cova quite late. If you choose to go downhill, sleep in Porto Novo the first night and depart early the next morning.
Hike: Reference here
From the Cova de Paul volcanic crater to Paul.
- Hike Downhill to Paul Valley --> Keep going downhill to Pombas and then Paul
- From Paul o Pombas, transfer through Aluguer to Ponta do Sol
- Sleep in Ponta do Sol for 1 night
Ponta do Sol - Cruzinha
- Depart in early morning from Ponta do Sol to Cruzinha (Apox. 8-10 hours hike)
- From Cruzinha to Chã de Igreja, you can either:
- Take the colectivo to Ribeira Grande
- Keep walking to the Cha de Igreja and take the colectivo to Ribeira Grande
(The taxi ride back to Ribeira Grande goes through the wild and beautiful Ribeira Garça valley with small villages between fantastic volcanic formations.)
Sleep in Ribeira Grande for 2 nights
- You can do Coculi Loop
- XoXo loop
The last day, be at the Port by 3 pm.
| Ferry | Departure |
|---|---|
| CV Interilhas | 5 pm |
| Nos | 4 pm |
| If you have time in Sao Vicente, go to: |
- Monte Verde (You can book a car to go all the way up, and walk down). This is called “Caminho com Monte Verde”
- Go to Calhau with Aluguer Colectivo, walk 1.5 km to Praia Grande
- There is nothing here, so bring snacks and drinks. It’s easiest to reach with a car, or wait for an aluguer to show up in Calhau town to take us back. The aluguer to Calhau leaves Mindelo from Praça Estrela.