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Amilcar Cabral International Airport (Sal)
SID • GVAC
Not fixed in this research; use the booked Santa Maria accommodation address. • Road transfer time varies by vehicle, pickup and Santa Maria lodging; confirm before travel.
Logistics · Destination Guide
Atlantic reefs, lava caves and wrecks by day; turtles, salt pans and Santa Maria by land.
Use this travel brief to set arrival flow, local transit, and gear movement before you lock your itinerary.
Fly to Amilcar Cabral International Airport (SID) on Sal, then arrange authorized road transport to Santa Maria. The airport operator confirms SID and Cabo Verde tourism sources identify Santa Maria as the southern visitor base. Airline routes and frequencies are seasonal; verify the itinerary with the carrier. Inter-island travel may involve domestic flights or independently booked passenger ferries to Palmeira. No overnight dive boat is necessary to use the local scuba and snorkeling infrastructure.
Amilcar Cabral International Airport (Sal)
SID • GVAC
Not fixed in this research; use the booked Santa Maria accommodation address. • Road transfer time varies by vehicle, pickup and Santa Maria lodging; confirm before travel.
Primary arrival point on Sal, near Espargos, operated under Cabo Verde Airports. Many travelers proceed by road to Santa Maria; confirm flight connections rather than relying on an old airline list.
Transport: Authorized airport taxi, Prearranged hotel shuttle, Private or shared airport transfer from a local provider, Pre-booked rental vehicle
Santa Maria is convenient for walking, but island viewpoints and salt pans require road transport. On Sal, authorized taxis are commonly blue and yellow according to UK guidance; use ranks or hotel-arranged drivers and confirm the fare. Local excursion sellers offer hotel pickups and private or group circuits. Check vehicle insurance, licenses and road access before independent car, scooter or quad use. Never drive on dunes, nesting beaches or protected habitats.
Nationality-specific rules: Cabo Verde publishes visa exemptions and required nationalities through the government visa service. A visa exemption is not an exemption from EASE preregistration for qualifying foreign travelers. Complete EASE at the official government TSA route ahead of arrival, preferably at least five days in advance, and retain proof. UK visitor guidance reports a doubled airport security fee for travelers without proof from July 1, 2026. Passport-validity conflict: the Cabo Verde government visa page says at least three months beyond the stay while UK guidance for British citizens says six months after arrival. Follow the stricter applicable airline and consular guidance and verify directly before booking; this guide cannot reconcile nationality-specific document rules. Transit, minors, yellow-fever certificate requirements and longer stays need separate checks.
PADI-listed Sal dive centers offer rental scuba equipment and boats; individual dive packages may exclude wetsuit, BCD, regulator or computer. Confirm fit, pressure test/oxygen capability and nitrox certification rules. Bring license/logbook and any required medical statement. For apnea, arrange a distinct trained buddy and safety equipment with the specialist provider. For snorkel, check mask, fins and flotation availability. Oversized sports equipment should be disclosed to the airline and transfer company; no guaranteed equipment workshop or gas blending service was independently verified.
Cabo Verdean Escudo (CVE)
The local currency is the escudo (CVE), pegged to the euro at a central-bank parity of 1 EUR = 110.265 CVE. Some tourism suppliers quote euros; settle accepted currency and exchange/rounding with the merchant instead of assuming euro cash receives the official bank rate.
Bank and card access is more practical in Santa Maria and Espargos than at remote viewpoints or fishing villages. Tourism sources report international VISA-network ATMs and card terminals, but individual machine operation, withdrawal charges and network availability were not checked. Carry some escudos for taxis and small local fees.
230V • 50Hz • C, F
European-style C/F sockets. Bring the proper plug adapter and check equipment labels for 230V compatibility; a plug adapter alone does not convert voltage.
Communications
Cabo Verde Airports lists Alou and Unitel T+ at Sal Airport. Verify current SIM/eSIM plans, ID requirements and coverage before buying. Visitor accommodation frequently offers Wi-Fi, but do not rely on mobile coverage at offshore dive sites or remote protected beaches. Save emergency numbers and operator contacts offline.
Language
Portuguese is the official language, and Cabo Verdean Creole is widely used in daily life. Santa Maria tourism providers also advertise English and other European languages, but request the guide language you require in advance. Learn basic greetings and respect working fishing communities.
Insurance
Buy cover that explicitly includes the planned scuba depth, recreational wreck/cavern limits if applicable, instructor-led freediving, snorkeling, water sports, boat transfers and emergency evacuation. Standard travel policies may exclude quad biking or technical/overhead activities. Confirm excesses, dive accident treatment, medical transport and the insurer emergency number. European GHIC-style public healthcare cards do not provide coverage in Cabo Verde.
Packing list
Bring reef-conscious sun cover, hat, reusable bottle, footwear for hot rock or salt pans, a light wind layer and a dry bag. Divers should pack certification, computer if preferred, medical documents when required and exposure protection matched to the season. A 5mm wetsuit is a practical operator-listed year-round reference, with lighter suits sometimes used in the warmer months. For Parda, wear protective water shoes. Avoid disturbing dunes or wildlife with drones, lights or vehicles.