Making the most of Porto Novo Sao Antao
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
Santo Antão is Cape Verde’s most majestic island, whose grand mountains and valleys earned the title ‘Switzerland of Cape Verde’.
Cruise ships berth close to town.
Santo Antao’s dramatic dividing mountain range, with peaks up to 4,921ft (1,500m), attracts trekkers through the tropical vegetation of deep-green valleys surrounding 16th-century Povoacao. Unlike the mountainous interior, its coast is bare and rugged, although local people grow sugar cane, bananas and coffee. Sugar cane supplies famed Cape Verde rum, ‘grogue’, produced here and enjoyed by visitors and locals. A walk around Ponta do Sol, the main town, is recommended for views of some old…
Getting around
The spectacular 36km drive from Porto Novo’s ferry landing across the central ridge to Ribeira Grande is worth making.
To see much of the island in one day, hire an aluguer, an open kind of minibus, for at least CVE7000 for a full day. You can usually arrange one on arrival at Porto Novo.
Food and shopping
Cape Verde is heaven for fish lovers: grilled lobster is superb, as are fresh tuna, octopus and many other delicacies.
Money
The currency is Cape Verde Escudo, at 1 Euro= 113 Escudos. Hotels and banks may charge slightly more.
An increasing number of up-market hotels accept credit cards, but not every one. MasterCard and Visa are the most widely accepted so far.
Staying connected
The language spoken is Portuguese.
Opening Hours and
Public holidays and Sundays close everything, and many shops close early Friday. Mediterranean hours are Monday-Friday 08:00/08:30 - 12:00/12:30 and 14:00/14:30 - 18:00/18:30; Saturday 08:30 - 12:00. Banks often close afternoons, restaurants work about 19:00 - 23:00, and nightclubs tend to open at midnight. Public holidays: 1 January New Year; 20 January National Heroes Day; 1 May Labour Day; 5 July Independence Day; 15 August Nossa Senhora da Graça [Our Lady of Grace]; 12 September Nationality Day; 1 November All Saints Day; 25 December Christmas Day. Mardi Gras and Good Friday are also…