FAQ
Q: What is the currency?
A: Local currency is Cape Verde Escudos CVE but everywhere takes Euros. When you pay by Euros you will get your change in CVE. The exchange rate is fixed at 110CVE to 1Euro but you will get your change at 100/1. Hardly a big crime but the closer you get to the correct amount when paying the less change you get and so the less you will loose. As of our last visit in November 2010 almost nobody takes credit cards. There are ATMs at the airport and at the banks behind the pier in Santa Maria which issue CVE.
Q: How big is the pool?
A: It is about 10x12 metres. It is about six feet at its deepest and about 3 feet deep in the shallow end.
Q: Is the pool heated?
A: No but very warm - once you are in the true temperature is experienced.
Q: How far is the pool from the apartment?
A: About 25 metres from the front door. (The sea is a further 25 metres from the pool)
Q: Is the sea safe to swim in?
A: Yes. On sundays and public holidays the sea either side of the pier is full of local children learning to swim or just messing about in the waves. The beach between Porto Antigo II and the pier is nearly always calm. The other side of the pier the waves get bigger.
Self-Catering
Q: Is there a supermarket?
A: There are lots of mini-markets all selling fresh produce and tinned goods. The roads run parallel to the coast and generally the further in land you go the cheaper they get. On Rua 1 de Junho (second street in) there is the bakery that serves the whole community. Go into the Padaria and ask for "pao forma integral" and you will get sliced brown bread. If you would prefer a baguette just ask for "baguette integral". There is a sort of a queue system but sometimes you need to be bold. Four bread rolls will cost about 50 cents.
There is a new Italian Deli next to Chez Pastis restaurant on the next street which sells italian cheeses and parma hams. On the same street is a blue and white cafe on a corner which sells great pastries.
Q: Where can we eat out?
A: There are lots of restaurants and cafes. We haven't tried them all and by making recommendations we are not disregarding the others but.........
Chez Pastis - Italian/french and very good - you have to book.
Odjo d'Agua - Food good and fabulous view. My Favourite.
Zum Fischerman - german owned specialises in fish - very good.
Papayas - (Porto Antigo I) Great location - good breakfasts and late afternoon drinks to watch the sunset.
Cafe Kreol - Really good "cheap and cheerful" - always busy.
Beach Club - On the beach in front of Hotel Morabeza - great place to lunch - expensive but again worth it.
Tam Tam's - Busy with english speaking europeans - lively atmosphere and good food. Sport on TV.
Ao Caranguejo - pizza and pasta - simple.
Grijinha - good BBQ food after a walk to the beach on the east coast.
As of our last visit in November 2010 nobody takes Credit Cards
Q: What medical facilities are there?
A: There is a pharmacy (green building) on Rua Amilcar Cabral (third street in) near Zum Fischerman - very expensive. There is also a Medical Centre behind the Hotel Djadsal open from 08:00 to 15:00 mon-sat. (Possibly 24-a-day now)
Q: Is there a Post office?
A: Yes its the large white building near Porto Antigo I.
Q: Where is the best place to go windsurfing and kitesurfing?
A: Santa Maria Bay is a great place to learn or improve. Josh Angulo, world champion windsurfer, has his hire shop and bar here. Kite Beach (south east coast) has stronger winds but gentler waves. It is shallow for hundreds of metres out to sea.
Q: Is there any diving?
A: There is a variety of sites in Santa Maria Bay within 10 - 15 minutes boat ride. The best dive is Buracona north of Palmeira, a 40 m tunnel that emerges at the "Blue Eye", a pool where you can surface to see the surprised faces of land based tourists looking down on you.
Q: Can you hire a car?
A: Yes but expensive. Agree a price for a taxi for the day - safer and cheaper.
Q: Are there mosquitoes?
A: There weren't but now there are. Not in huge numbers but bring your own mossie protection.