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Key Info for Visitors
- Currency: CVE
- Languages: Portuguese, Cape Verdean Creole
- Climate: Semi-arid subtropical
- Timezone: Atlantic/Azores
- Population: Approximately 38,000 inhabitants
- Best Time to Visit: best time to visit is during the dry season to avoid rain and slippery trails.
- Visa Requirements Visitors from the European Union, United States, and United Kingdom generally require a visa to enter Cape Verde, which can often be obtained as a visa on arrival or through an e-visa system. Citizens from some countries may enter visa-free for short stays. It is advisable to check the latest requirements before travel.
About Santo Antao
Santo Antão is the westernmost island of Cape Verde, renowned for its dramatic landscapes, lush valleys, and rugged mountains. It stands out as a paradise for nature lovers and adventure seekers, offering some of the best hiking trails in the archipelago. The island’s unique combination of volcanic peaks, deep ravines, and green terraces creates a striking contrast to the typically arid surroundings of Cape Verde. Visitors are drawn to Santo Antão for its authentic rural villages, vibrant local culture, and unspoiled natural beauty. The island’s relatively low population density and limited tourism infrastructure provide a peaceful retreat for those looking to explore off the beaten path. Whether trekking through the Paul Valley’s verdant plantations or enjoying panoramic views from the Cova crater, Santo Antão offers an immersive experience in nature and Cape Verdean tradition.
Top Attractions
1. Paul Valley – A lush, fertile valley famous for its greenery, agriculture, and scenic hiking routes. 2. Cova Crater – A volcanic crater offering breathtaking views and unique geological formations. 3. Ribeira Grande – The island’s main town, known for its colonial architecture and cultural sites. 4. Ponta do Sol – A charming coastal village with beautiful beaches and a relaxed atmosphere. 5. Tope de Coroa – The highest peak on Santo Antão, popular for challenging hikes and panoramic vistas.
Popular Activities
Hiking is the top activity, with trails ranging from easy walks to strenuous mountain treks. Other activities include mountain biking, exploring traditional villages, bird watching, and enjoying local music and festivals. Visitors can also experience boat trips along the coast and sample local crafts.
Santo Antao Tours & Experiences
- Top Attractions: Highlights of Cape Verde
- Duration Range: Hiking is the top activity, with trails ranging from easy walks to strenuous mountain treks. Other activities include mountain biking, exploring traditional villages, bird watching, and enjoying local music and festivals. Visitors can also experience boat trips along the coast and sample local crafts.
- Group Size: Private or shared tours
- Difficulty Level: Beginner to Advanced
- Recommended For: The best time to visit is during the dry season to avoid rain and slippery trails. Pack sturdy hiking shoes, sun protection, and light clothing. Respect local customs and dress modestly in villages. Carry cash as card payments are not widely accepted. Stay hydrated and be cautious on mountain paths. Learning basic Portuguese or Creole phrases enhances interactions.
Average Tour Price: $80
Lowest Price Tour: $55
Highest Price Tour: $220
15 Available Tour Excursions in Santo Antao
Explore Santo Antão's highlights on this full-day tour from your accommodation. Enjoy breathtaking views of Cova Natural Park and Paúl volcano crater above 1000 meters high. Visit a distillery and taste the famous local rum called “Grogue”.
Price: $108.21
Duration: 6-7 hours
Discover one of the world’s most breathtaking coastal trails on the Ponta do Sol – Cruzinha hike. With dramatic cliffs, endless ocean views, and colorful villages like Fontainhas along the way, every step is a postcard moment. Guided by local experts, you’ll learn about Cape Verde’s history, culture, and traditions while enjoying authentic encounters with friendly villagers. This tour combines natural beauty, cultural immersion, and a true sense of adventure you won’t find anywhere else.
Price: $138.27
Duration: 7-8 hours
Tour to discover the main attractions of the island through the famous Corda road. You’ll be passing through Água das Caldeiras, Ribeira Grande, Ponta de Sol and, of course, Paúl. A fabulous contrast between the aridity of the south side of the island and the forest in the heights, with luxuriant vegetation in the north. Not to be missed!
Price: $96.19
Duration: 6-7 hours
Explore the natural beauty and authentic culture of Santo Antão on this 3-day guided hiking adventure. Starting in Porto Novo, you’ll traverse dramatic volcanic landscapes, fertile valleys, and iconic cliffside villages. Day 1: Hike from the scenic Cova Crater down into the lush Paúl Valley, filled with tropical fruit plantations and coffee fields. Savor a picnic or family-style lunch and stay overnight in Paúl. Day 2: Walk along the famous coastal trail from Cruzinha to Ponta do Sol, passing Fontainhas, one of Cape Verde’s most photogenic villages. Overnight stay in Ponta do Sol. Day 3: Hike through the peaceful agricultural fields of Cha de Pedras to Coculi, followed by lunch with a local family. After a final 1-hour trek to Coculi, transfer back to Porto Novo for your ferry. This tour includes local guides, all transfers, luggage transport, and delicious family-style meals, giving you the perfect mix of adventure, culture, and comfort.
Price: $792.33
Duration: 72 hours
Experience the rich culture and breathtaking landscapes of Santo Antão with our Trek into the Cova Crater. Our local passionate guide is waiting to have an immersive experience, sharing the local traditions and the vibrant Caboverdean lifestyle. Get ready to witness the stunning green valleys, mountainous terrain, traditional farming practices, and hardworking people that make this island so unique. It's the perfect way to immerse yourself in the beauty and culture of Cabo Verde. Great for those who want to experience one of the most beautiful walks on the Island; the walk can be up to 3 hours, more or less, and can be good for all travelers, depending on mobility and health.
Price: $114.22
Duration: 6 hours
We will make you meet the local populations, so that you can discover their culture, their history and share good moments of life.
Price: $120.23
Duration: 5 hours
Discover the beauty of Santo Antão with one of our flexible full-day excursions. Your local guide will take you on a full-day island tour, bringing the Island’s stories to life. You can choose from 4 different options to best suit your travel plans and activity level 2 Island Highlights by Car: * From São Vicente: Includes harbor transfers and roundtrip ferry tickets. * From Santo Antão (Porto Novo): Ideal if you’ve already booked ferry tickets or are staying on the island. 2 Trekking Options: * From São Vicente: Includes harbor transfers and roundtrip ferry tickets. * From Santo Antão (Porto Novo): Perfect for those already on the island or with ferry tickets booked.
Price: $114.22
Duration: 7-11 hours
Explore the most famous hiking trail in Santo Antão. Enjoy a 3-hour hike from Cova Natural Park to the Green Valley of Paúl with a local guide. Have breathtaking views of Paúl Volcano Crater above 1000 meters high.
Price: $102.20
Duration: 5 hours
Discover Fontainhas, one of the 10 villages with the best view in the world. Relish a picnic at Praia das Aranhas, a place for turtle's nesting where you can swim depending on the sea conditions. Hike and enjoy breathtaking views between volcanic rocks and the ocean
Price: $93.78
Duration: 7 hours
This tour will show you all the highlights that Santo Antão has to offer. We offer high quality tours that enable you to feel and experience the true Morabeza feeling. Why choose us? - Group size private - 100% Cape Verde We're the CapeVerde experts and our guides promise a 100% authentic CapeVerdean experience. - Cultural Experiences Every tour includes experiences to show you our unique CapeVerdean culture.
Price: $240.00
Duration: 7-8 hours
The Cachupa hike is more than just a hike. It provides an unique insight in the culture of Santo Antao. During this hike you will get in contact with locals and learn about the flora and fauna the Island has to offer. Want to get your hands dirty? You can! Dig up a cassave root or harvest banana’s from a tree. We will need it to prepare the Cachupa. Not into foraging and just want to enjoy unique views? Go ahead! we will make some delicious Cachupa for you. At the end, our goal is to serve you. We juist want you to unwind, feel at ease and experience something unique.
Price: $96.19
Duration: 6 hours
On our Full Day Excursion on Santo Antão we know you will be enamored by the lush vegetation, mountain peaks, valleys, charming villages, simple lifestyle and hardworking spirit of the people, and culture which cannot be justified by words, but must be taken in by your encounter! Choose to see the Highlights by car in one day. You will have an amazing day with our local, experienced guide, who will show you the best of Santo Antão. If you would like to customize any option of the your excursion, you may contact us.
Price: $156.30
Duration: 6 hours
Having a trek on Santo Antao is the best way to encounter and experience Caboverdean lifestyle and culture. Only an hour by ferry from São Vicente, Santo Antao boasts of green valleys, mountains, vegetation traditional farming lifestyle, hardworking people and rich culture, which cannot be justified by words, but must be taken in by your encounter. This is a challenging and rewarding trek.
Price: $132.26
Duration: 6 hours
Ponta do Sol located is the northernmost point of Cabo Verde, this fishing village is a sight to behold, with it's colorful traditional fishing boast Explore the enchanting, small fishing village with its history, colorful colonial architecture and lively small port. Activities begin early in the morning, preparations for a morning at sea to bring in the afternoon catch. Begin walking from this small port town and witness the living in this village. Fontainhas, one of the WORLD’S MOST PICTURESQUE villages, is a must-see. As you walk along the ocean coastal path, you’ll pass small villages with people tending to their plantations, men, women, children, and even animals. You’ll witness how they all contribute to the village’s harmony. Donkeys carrying water containers will be common along the way.
Price: $107.01
Duration: 3 hours
Explore Santo Antao, the most amazing island in all Cape Verde and get amazed with its wonderfull landscape as can not find anywhere else, drive on the narrow road and feel the adrenaline of Delgadinho, breathe the pure air of the mountains and green valleys, visit a local distillery and try Cape Verde Rum and its various flavors.
Price: $143.08
Duration: 8-10 hours
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2. Check Details
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4. Enjoy Your Experience
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Important Tour Information
- Bring comfortable walking shoes and appropriate clothing
- Check tour cancellation and refund policies
- Arrive at the meeting point at least 15 minutes early
- Carry valid identification and tour booking confirmation
Frequently Asked Questions
Local Food & Cuisine
Santo Antão’s cuisine reflects Cape Verdean flavors with an emphasis on fresh seafood, corn, beans, and tropical fruits. Signature dishes include cachupa (a slow-cooked stew), grilled fish, and pastel com diablo dentro (spicy pastries). Dining is often casual and communal, with local eateries serving homemade meals. Noteworthy restaurants include small family-run establishments in Ribeira Grande and Ponta do Sol offering authentic dishes.
Getting Around
To reach Santo Antão, travelers typically fly into São Vicente airport and take a ferry to the island. Local transportation includes minibuses and taxis, but options are limited outside main towns. Renting a car or arranging guided tours is recommended for exploring remote areas. Costs are generally affordable but vary depending on the season.
Travel Tips
The best time to visit is during the dry season to avoid rain and slippery trails. Pack sturdy hiking shoes, sun protection, and light clothing. Respect local customs and dress modestly in villages. Carry cash as card payments are not widely accepted. Stay hydrated and be cautious on mountain paths. Learning basic Portuguese or Creole phrases enhances interactions.
Culture & Customs
Santo Antão’s culture is deeply rooted in Cape Verdean traditions, with a strong emphasis on music, dance, and community gatherings. Festivals often feature morna and coladeira music styles. Social customs include warm hospitality and respect for elders. Visitors should greet locals politely and ask permission before photographing people or private property.
