Cape Verde

[pokerking]

Looking to go away in February that would be warm and not too far of a flight with a little girl.

We are looking at the Dumas Beach Resort in Santa Maria. Just curious to see if any body has been and can recommend the country and place?

It seems low on crime and would be 25c on average.

Would anywhere in Europe be warm enough this time of year?

 

[stigggeh]

I took the mrs 5 years ago for her 30th b/day. We stayed on Boa Vista island which i think is less populated than Sal.

A couple of things to note...

1) The sea currents are really strong meaning the beaches were red flagged all of the time we stayed meaning no swimming.
2) it's a really poor country, i felt a tad guilty living it up in all inclusive then popping out to see people living in half buit breeze-block houses without clean water.
3) On Boa Vista not a great deal to do outside the hotel complex so you tend to rely on the travel agent excursions.

Other than that we really loved the place, miles and miles of white sandy beaches and clear blue sea where you can walk and walk without seeing another person. I'm not sure it it is real or just for the tourists but everyones motto was 'no stress'. The people seem really friendly. It never ever rains apparently (something like 1 or 2 days a year).

If the kids are happy round the pool then it'll be grand... if you like to get our and about exploring then perhaps you'd be better off elsewhere. I think Sal is more populated so may be different.

 

[pokerking]

I took the mrs 5 years ago for her 30th b/day. We stayed on Boa Vista island which i think is less populated than Sal.

A couple of things to note...

1) The sea currents are really strong meaning the beaches were red flagged all of the time we stayed meaning no swimming.
2) it's a really poor country, i felt a tad guilty living it up in all inclusive then popping out to see people living in half buit breeze-block houses without clean water.
3) On Boa Vista not a great deal to do outside the hotel complex so you tend to rely on the travel agent excursions.

Other than that we really loved the place, miles and miles of white sandy beaches and clear blue sea where you can walk and walk without seeing another person. I'm not sure it it is real or just for the tourists but everyones motto was 'no stress'. The people seem really friendly. It never ever rains apparently (something like 1 or 2 days a year).

If the kids are happy round the pool then it'll be grand... if you like to get our and about exploring then perhaps you'd be better off elsewhere. I think Sal is more populated so may be different.

We were in Portugal a few months back and stayed on the hotel complex, the resort we are looking at is on the beach so private and has a shopping complex, not really interested in viewing the country just somewhere to relax and enjoy the Sun.

We have only really stayed inside Europe but are very interested in going somewhere warm the early part of the year.

We were planning on going to Florida but it seems it's more geared to be self catering and renting a car to go and eat don't want all that hassle.

Thank you for you reply

 

[stigggeh]

We were in Portugal a few months back and stayed on the hotel complex, the resort we are looking at is on the beach so private and has a shopping complex, not really interested in viewing the country just somewhere to relax and enjoy the Sun.

We have only really stayed inside Europe but are very interested in going somewhere warm the early part of the year.

We were planning on going to Florida but it seems it's more geared to be self catering and renting a car to go and eat don't want all that hassle.

Thank you for you reply

If you are happy to stay on the resort then I would highly recommend it. We stayed in a Riu hotel and the staff were all really hardworking, polite and helpful. We paid extra for the 'Adults only' and it was money well spent, private pool and seperate bar away from all the noise. We went to Lanzarote this year and it was not in the same league

Our hotel in Cape Verde was listed as 5 star but tbh it was more like 4. It was really clean but the food was your standard all inclusive stuff.

The beaches/sea are unreal, like something you'd expect at the Maldives or somewhere exotic like that. You see quite a few tiny crabs on the beach in June but they run away.

I'd go again without a doubt. Oh one thing i forgot, the flight is just over 6 hours and if you fly with Thompson you're in a 747 which is a tad uncomfortable.