Tarrafal Beach

The beach in Tarrafal is probably the top choice for accommodation, largely due to Tatiana, a delightful lady who runs the hotel in the absence of the owners. Her smile and laughter bring joy to the entire village, even on gloomy days. It is evident that the staff is adored and valued at this place. Additionally, they serve the best buffet dinner in Cape Verde. However, one of our rooms was uncomfortably warm. Nonetheless, the place is brimming with charm.

I had the delightful opportunity to spend three nights at the hotel. The awe-inspiring journey through the desert to reach the hotel is truly captivating. The hotel is ideal for those seeking seclusion from the outside world. The cuisine is exceptional. The leisurely pace and liberating atmosphere of the place truly grow on you. It's a haven of simplicity and heartfelt experiences. I've had some remarkable encounters, engaging conversations, and moments of laughter. I must give a special mention to the manager, who was incredibly kind throughout my entire trip and always willing to lend an ear. I highly recommend it to travelers in search of an authentic and uncomplicated experience, as long as they are not afraid of insects. Anik from Montreal!

Tarrafal is a nice place to stay, but the only downside is the strict tenders who seem to enjoy lecturing guests on how to behave as if they were in a kindergarten. When you arrive, they kindly host you without any prior room booking, which is not the norm in most places. While we were there to unwind and relax after long hikes, we experienced a lot of frustration. It's safe to say that we won't be returning, as we've since heard about other lovely places with friendly locals to stay. Perhaps if we happen to visit Tarrafal again in the future, we might reconsider.

Upon traveling through the arid terrain of Santo Antão, we were instantly filled with a sense of calm and freedom as we arrived at Mar Tranquilidade. Susi and Frank have crafted a haven where we could retreat from our hectic daily routines. Our four-night stay here has been truly delightful - awakening to the soothing sounds of the ocean, observing whales during sunset, and savoring delectable dinners in wonderful company... our only disappointment was not prolonging our visit. We hold onto the hope that someday we will have the opportunity to come back.

We were only able to visit the beach for dinner since it was fully booked when we asked. However, we enjoyed the dinner and the company so much that we ended up going twice. We began with a sundowner on the terrace overlooking the beach, and had two wonderful evenings with delicious food priced at CVE 1,300 per person.