Food & dining in Boa Vista

Boa Vista - Boa Vista Buggy Tours by Quad Zone

Inject your holiday with a healthy dose of adrenaline-pumping adventure with this dirt buggy tour. Driving your own off-road vehicle, you'll zoom down dusty tracks, trails and up and over rolling sand dunes to discover all the best bits of Boa Vista.

Boa Vista - Boa Vista Full Day 4x4 Island Tour with Beachfront Lunch

Off-road through luscious landscapes and be charmed by Boa Vista's untouched beauty on this action-packed 4x4 tour. Roberto, one of our local guides, says, ‘The Viana desert is Boa Vista's very own chunk of the Sahara. Its sand is blown in from western Africa, creating huge dunes, which we'll rally up and down.' Leave no stone unturned as you visit the shipwreck on Santa Maria beach, before stopping in Sal Rei village and Povoaçao Velha. Plus, there's lunch by the sea in a beachfront restaurant.The fun kicks off in the Viana desert. Feel the wind in your hair as you rumble over the sand dunes in a 4x4. Then, you're off to discover the rusting shipwreck of Cabo de Santa Maria – a symbol of Boa Vista. Roberto says, ‘There are about 150 shipwrecks on the islands of Cape Verde, but this one is the most mysterious of all. It's a great place to snap a selfie, too.' You'll have a quick stop in Sal Rei for a glimpse at the capital's fishing pier, before a locally-sourced lunch is served at a nearby beach restaurant.Next up is a pit stop in Povoaçao Velha – the oldest settlement on the island. Have a poke around this isolated hamlet and enjoy a look into local life, before our final stop, Santa Monica beach. Boasting 15km of white sand and undulating dunes, it's no wonder it was voted one of the world's top 10 beaches. The perfect place to end the tour.

Boa Vista - Desert Delight

For a truly celestial holiday experience, it's hard to beat this evening dinner in Boa Vista's Viana desert. We'll pick you at your hotel and bring you to the middle of nowhere, far away from light pollution, for an unrivalled view of the Milky Way in its full glory. What's more, there's also a tasty buffet dinner to enjoy.

Boa Vista - Boa Vista Romantic Dinner

Romantic relaxation with good food is the name of the game on this laid-back, night-time excursion. You'll enjoy a delicious three-course dinner and live Cape Verdean music in a beautiful beachfront setting.

Boa Vista - Boa Vista Catamaran Cruise

Even when you're on an idyllic tropical island like Boa Vista, it's lovely to get out on the water. Get a different perspective from the deck of your sleek sailing catamaran on this relaxed adults-only afternoon cruise – served up with ice cold drinks.

Boa Vista - Boa Vista Horse Riding Experience

Galloping along the golden sands of Boa Vista's beaches is as exhilarating as it gets. You can choose from an hour-long horse ride for beginners, or a 90-minute adventure for intermediates. It's an experience that gets you back in touch with nature the environmentally-friendly way.

Boa Vista - Boa Vista Turtle Nesting Beach Tour with Exclusive Transfer

Buckle up for a nighttime adventure with the turtles on this unforgettable Boa Vista beach walk. After hotel pick up, you're heading to one of the world's top nesting beaches, where loggerhead turtles – the OG Caretta caretta – have been laying their eggs for centuries. It's not just any beach – it's the third-largest nesting spot on the planet, so you know you're in for something special.Once you arrive, your guide will spill all the deets on these incredible creatures. You'll get the lowdown on why Boa Vista is a turtle paradise and how the locals are working hard to keep it that way. Then comes the main event. With the stars lighting the way, you'll stroll down to the beach with a biologist, ready to watch these amazing creatures do their thing. It's pure magic as you see the turtles nesting under the night sky – prepare to be seriously wowed. You'll then head back to camp, buzzing from the experience, before being whisked back to your hotel.

Boa Vista - Boa Vista Fishing Boat Trip

Fishing aficionados will love this half-day fishing tour. After setting off into the bay around Sal Rei, you'll drop anchor to spend the morning or afternoon waiting for a catch. One thing's for sure - you'll fall hook, line and sinker with fishing in Boa Vista.

Boa Vista - Boa Vista 4x4 tour with catchupa demonstration and lunch

It's all about immersing yourself in Cape Verdean culture on this 4x4 tour. Be wowed by traditional Boa Vista dances, epic panoramic views at Morro Negro, and even learn how to cook – and of course, taste – catchupa, Cape Verde's ultimate comfort dish. Rodrigo, one of our local guides, says, ‘othing brings the family together like Catchupa stew. Each household has its own version – corn, pork, cabbage, sweet potato, yam and carrots are a must, but the type of beans used can be a topic of hot debate.' Kick things off cruising through Bofareira towards Fundo das Figueiras, learning about local crops and farming methods along the way. At Restaurante Mansao, you'll be greeted by the locals, enjoy a drink, and watch a traditional Boa Vista dance called the Funana. This high-energy, feel-good dance is guaranteed to get you smiling. Then, get the inside scoop on making catchupa stew with a hands-on workshop. Yes, you'll get all the insider secrets to mastering this mouthwatering Cape Verdean classic. Next, swap your 4x4 for your hiking boots and head to the newly restored Morro Negro Lighthouse. Climb to the top for panoramic east coast views and soak up some local history. After you've racked up those steps, jump back into your 4x4 and head back to Fundo das Figueiras for a hearty catchupa lunch – it's like a warm hug in a bowl. Enjoy every bite before heading back home with full bellies and great memories.

Boa Vista - Boa Vista 4x4 Tour with Local Culture and Island Flavours

There's no shortage of great views in Boa Vista, and this 4x4 tour shows you just how picturesque it is. You'll discover the shipwreck at Cabo Santa Maria, visit Fundo das Figueiras, stop to sample local food in Rabil and visit a visit a Local Biodiversity centre, too.

Boa Vista - Santa Maria Beach Two-hour Quad Tour by Quad Zone

With innumerable sandy dunes and a fairly desolate interior, Boa Vista is heaven for quad bikers. Spend two hours blasting along the island's deserted trails, with some memorable pit stops in between. Take the wheel yourself or choose a double quad and you can relax as the passenger.

Boa Vista - Southern Boa Vista Four-hour Quad Tour by Quad Zone

Off-road adventure is the name of the game on this action-packed excursion. Spend four adrenaline-pumping hours carving up the sands and exploring the trails of Boa Vista's stunning south coast. You can choose whether you want your own quad or whether you're happier to be a passenger – and let your partner do all the hard work.

Boa Vista - Boa Vista Catamaran Cruise with Beach Afternoon and Lunch

Relaxation is the name of the game on this downtempo nautical excursion. Spend a morning exploring the west coast of Boa Vista and the islet of Sal Rei aboard your catamaran before heading for a beach restaurant lunch. Then, spend an afternoon on the golden sands of Praia da Chaves.As your skipper steers you out of port, you'll sail to the islet of Sal Rei and around it before gliding back to port – spending about three hours at sea. You'll then be transferred to the virgin sands of Praia da Chaves on the west coast of Boa Vista – just in time for lunch.You'll be served a tasty lunch at the popular Perola de Chaves Beach restaurant. The rest of the afternoon is dedicated to relaxing on the beach, soaking up the sun and swimming in cool and calm waters.

Boa Vista - Boa Vista Beachside Sunset Dinner with Live Music

The west coast of Boa Vista usually provides stunning sunsets across the South Atlantic. Admire the colours of dusk with your special someone over a delicious dinner, followed by some live drumming and mellow tunes on the beach. Carlo, one of our expert local guides, says: ‘Cape Verde's music is one of the most important strands of our heritage and culture. There are a variety of styles unique to the islands, and you will hear a mix of some of our traditional music together with international tunes performed after dinner by local musicians.'You'll be whisked off to the island-renowned Morabeza Beach Club well before the sun begins its descent over the water. Take your seat and while away the time with a glass of the local cocktail, Ponche, in your hand and the sound of the waves in your ears. The beach club has a natural theme and a stress-free vibe, with tables directly on the beach. The beautiful tropical sunset would be all the visual entertainment needed, but there are plenty of treats to come.As the light dims, a bonfire is lit and African drummers start to provide a soundtrack of infectious beats giving you a flavour of the local culture. Then it's time to sit down and enjoy a delicious buffet dinner, with a selection of grilled meats, vegetables, and freshly-caught fish - plus a drink to wash it all down. A live band will play laid-back music during your meal, and up the tempo later on, so you can dance the night away with the sand between your toes.

Boa Vista - Southern Boa Vista 4x4 Tour with Viana Desert and Villages

A chance to delve into some of the Boa Vista's top spots. Spend a morning roaming the Viana desert in a 4x4 and exploring inland towns before ending up on one of the island's most beautiful beaches. Rabil, the Viana desert, Povoação Velha and Santa Monica beach are among the attractions you'll discover.

Boa Vista - Sal Rei Sightseeing Tour with Local Speciality Tastings

With its blend of African, Brazilian and European influences, Cape Verde's unique culture is one to experience. On this tour, taste traditional food, visit the vibrant local markets and take a guided tour of Sal Rei, the capital of Boa Vista.

Boa Vista - Boa Vista Turtle Watching Tour

Cape Verde is home to third largest population of loggerhead turtles, and during the months between June and October, they come to the shores of Boa Vista to lay their eggs. This night-time tour takes you to the nesting beaches with a marine biologist where you'll learn about and witness these creatures in their habitat.