Our trip began in truly unforgettable fashion: coming face to face with a man stood in Gatwick airport car park, hands firmly down his trousers, bare backside battling minus temperatures.
Was he performing emergency drawstring surgery or simply one trench coat away from a public indecency warning? Either way, nothing says “holiday mode activated” quite like being flashed before you’ve reached departures.
If starting a blog in increasingly unhinged ways were a niche, I fear I’d dominate it.
How to spend 7 nights in Sal, Cabo Verde
I’ll be honest, we chose Cabo Verde as a destination mainly because January in the UK is deeply offensive. Long. Cold. Moody. Unforgiving. Am I describing the weather or myself?
I will caveat this trip with by saying that we wanted to chill out and be as useless as the G in lasagne, so these are loosey goosey reccies for a relatively relaxed week… for once there isn’t a time stamped itinerary.
Hotel: Budha Beach Hotel
We stayed at Budha Beach Hotel in Sal – boutique, peaceful, and positioned right on the sea.
Infinity pool? Yes. Plush sunbeds and floaty canopies? Also, yes. An 8-minute stroll into town? Dangerous for my bank account, convenient for everything else.
The hotel was very quiet, mostly older couples, so no random holiday friendships or forced water aerobics. No Celine Dion tribute acts. No organised fun. Our antisocial selves thrived.
Pros: Boutique, very peaceful, great food, close to town.
Cons: Same menu daily, some small rooms, no proper hotel bar.
Travel tip: Request a sea-view suite with a terrace. Golden hour from your balcony just hits differently https://www.budhabeach.com/en/
Horse riding on the beach
If it involves animals, I’m in. One of my favourite activities in Cabo Verde was horse riding on the beach. The horses are well looked after and the scenery is just stunning; the only downside was not being able to canter but understandable to avoid mowing down sunbathers.
£30pp for an hour and would 100000% recommend doing this at sunset, such gorgeous romantic vibes, the wind in your hair, sand between your toes and the sound of…sneezing.
Guess whose boyfriend was unknowingly allergic to horses. Aside from the hives it was all very amusing, and he will live to tell the tail (pun intended).
Travel tip: We booked our activities through Alex Nice Tours who approached us when exploring the old town – they have a whole host of activities, everything was well organised and reasonably priced (and Alex was indeed, very nice).
Rua 1 de Junho
This lively central street in the heart of Santa Maria is the best for people watching, souvenir purchasing and a spot of brunch.
Rua 1 de Junho doesn’t try too hard; it doesn’t need to. By day it’s a colourful flow of textiles, artisanal trinkets and hand-painted souvenirs, and by evening it transforms with live music and dancing plus there are lots of well-fed stray dogs so naturally I donated most of my food to four-legged friends (and Frase).
Friendly locals are ready to tell you the story behind their crafts and maybe teach you a few Creole words in the process, all without the hard-sell hustle of bigger touristy cities (Agadir I’m looking at you boo). Think “holiday chic” with a dash of island charm, comfortable enough for sandals, photogenic enough for your camera roll.
3-hour Catamaran trip
Picture this: clear turquoise water, dolphins jumping, sun glistening on deck… and me slipping backwards off the boat still wearing a snorkel mask. I am nothing if not entertaining company.
The Pontão de Santa Maria (pier) is currently closed, so we had to take a small boat to get to the Catamaran in fetching neon life jackets which didn’t quite match the off-duty Cannes aesthetic I was trying to achieve. But we got there in one piece. Win.
The Catamaran itself is gorgeous and spacious I think there were maybe 10 of us on the trip, plus crew, with free-flowing drinks and snacks. Disembarking onto the boat back was a future us problem. We saw dolphins, turtles and a ridiculous number of flying fish and the 3 hours whizzed by, again a perfect sunset activity.
Travel tip: Again, booked through Alex Nice Tours, the trip costs £50pp and would defo recommend booking for later in the day to avoid burning to a crisp.
3 of my fave beaches to visit in Cabo Verde
- Santa Maria Beach – Golden sand, calm turquoise water and the buzz of the local beach bars and restaurants make this the main character beach, perfect for lazy swims by day and sunset cocktails by night.
- Ponta Preta – Wild, wind-whipped and famous for its Atlantic swells, this is where surfers come to play and the sunsets are reel worthy.
- Ponta do Sinó – The island’s southern tip delivers lighthouse views, dramatic waves and a peaceful, end-of-the-world vibe that’s made for golden-hour strolls.
A girl gotta eat
Can’t live a full life on an empty stomach and no blog post is complete without a few food and drink reccies so ofc I’ll serve up a few…
Cape Fruit
Gorgeous cosy café/bar serving fruit smoothies, coffees and cocktails in a rustic setting. And yes we sampled all of the above as apparently, we are the most indecisive yet thirsty humans on the planet. Brunch also looked good, would have sampled if we hadn’t committed so hard to breakfast!
For all your beverage requirements
Budha Beach
Their lunch options are divine and I’m still dreaming about the seafood ceviche. Defo grab a table outside to watch the sea lap the shore as you sip an Aperol as big as your head. Bien bien.
Ocean Suites
Ok this place gave me American dive bar in the best way possible. Extensive cocktail menu (albeit the menu itself weighs about 5kg using what appears to be recovered car registration plates), live music, dancing aka the best way to end an evening. Most of the cocktails hit the spot but I’d avoid the picante unless you enjoy drinking what tastes suspiciously like hot sauce.
Hotel Odjo d’agua
Excuse me while I slip into something a little more Capri. I absolutely loved this little secluded cove, the perfect vantage point for lunch, a game of pass the pigs (don’t ask) and 3 million candid but plandid piccies.
Leonardo’s Café
I know, eating Italian food in Africa sounds a little tapped but we ate local for 99% of the trip. But sometimes you just need a creamy mushroom pasta and a cheeseboard for *balance*. She was gorgeous, I regret nothing. Visit for dinner, the twinkly lights and ambient setting will make your partners jokes seem funnier 😉
How to Spend 7 Nights in Sal: The Final Word
Unfortunately, I embodied the no stress mantra from Cabo Verde so much, that coming home to an overflowing inbox and a barrage of messages felt like some sort of medieval torture. I guess there’s only one thing to do really, book another trip… Until next time xox
For more travel inspo:
I enjoy your writing so much! I look forward to every blog you write! Thanks so much for the recommendations. Looks and sounds so beautiful.
Author February 19, 2026 / 9:50 am
Ahhh you’re too kind! Tysmmm 🥹❤️