Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
BUS
Small Transcor buses connect Platô with all sections of the city; short journeys cost from
CVE70. Destinations are marked on the windshields.
TAXI
Cream-coloured taxis are plentiful, inexpensive and easy to spot - you can go from Platô
to Achada Santo António, for example, for about CVE200. Note that fares go up after
8pm. You can rent a taxi for the day for around CVE7000.
OTHER SANTIAGO HIGHLIGHTS
It's worth spending a day or two exploring Santiago's fertile mountainous interior and the pristine coastline away
from Praia. The mountain village of
Rui Vaz
near the town of São Domingos is a picturesque base for hikes into
surrounding mountains. It's home to the hilltop
Quinta da Montanha
( 2685002; quinta-
montanha@cvtelecom.cv; s/d CVE4200/5200, weekend buffet CVE1500 (for guests, CVE1200); ) ,
which has live traditional music at Sunday lunch. Country town
Assomada
features a bustling African
market
OFFLINE MAP
GOOGLE MAP
on Wednesday and Friday.
Parque Natural Serra da Malagueta
covers dramatic, tumbling ridges outside of Praia. Spectacular and fairly
well-signposted walking trails weave up and down valleys and through hamlets; you might encounter an elusive
vervet monkey.
With a small white-sand beach and cooling breezes,
Tarrafal
is a favourite getaway from Praia, some 70km to
the southeast. The town has a hibiscus-lined main square. If you take the popular walk to the
lighthouse
it's best
to go with a trustworthy local guide, as muggings have been reported. To stay overnight, there's
Tarrafal Resid-
ence
( 2662060; tarrafalresidence@gmail.com; Ribeira do Coquiero; s CVE3300-3500, d CVE4000-4500) ,
with contemporary and colourful rooms. For wood-fired pizzas and good fish dishes, head to French-run
Alto
Mira
(mains CVE750; 6.30-10pm) .
Minibuses from Praia depart from Sucupira Market for Rui Vaz, Assomada and Tarrafal (CVE500); service is
most frequent early in the morning and returns in the afternoon. You can hire a taxi for the day or book a tour
with an agency in Praia.
Other highlights hide in Santiago's interior.
Porto Madeira
(
www.portomadeira.org
) is a creative community
that was converted into an artists' retreat by local cultural activist Misá. It's possible to visit for the day or
overnight in basic accommodation (doubles with breakfast CVE2000). Make contact ahead via the website.
Misá also 'opened up' a long-isolated community of
rabelados,
descendants of runaway slaves who in the
1940s refused the Catholic missionaries and have remained isolated in Santiago's highlands. Outsiders can visit
the community of
Espinho Branco
, and see the studio with colourful artwork made by the villagers (you're
highly encouraged to buy something) and even spend the night in the village (CVE1500 per couple, with break-
fast). Make arrangements via
www.portomadeira.org
.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Cidade Velha
