Country Guides Country Guide: Cape Verde

Date Published:

29/05/2008

On the verdant island (several of the islands are barren) of Santiago, which has a mountainous interior and is home to the republic’s capital Praia and half the population, is Sambala Resort.

The complex of villas and town houses located on Sao Francisco beach is being developed as an integrated resort scheme, and adopts a rigid environmental code of practice and social integrity. Environmentally sound building techniques are practised and recycled construction materials are used. Wind power and biodiesel are being investigated to reduce CO2 emissions. The price for a clean, green conscience is €189,000 (£175,000) for a two bedroom townhouse.

Over on Boa Vista, Lillywhite notes that new direct flights to the island from the UK and the new RIU Karambao hotel will open up the island of Boa Vista to a new holiday market. 'It will make a huge difference to this amazing island that is home to 60 per cent of Cape Verde’s beaches including its longest one at over 12 miles long,” he said. “Santiago, with new golf course developments planned, and San Vicente, with its new Mindelo marina, too will both open up for tourism in the coming months and years. Both islands are set for international airports and direct flights to Santiago should start in March 2009.'

For those who fancy buying into a more established development, Cape Verde Property Ltd is marketing the Casa Velha Resort, which is situated on Estoril Beach in Boa Vista. Built around an elegant inner courtyard with internal balconies, the resort is curentlu being run as a small hotel. Three apartments are for sale, each priced from €90,000 (£83,000). Purchasers will have the opportunity to rent the apartments through the developers, who run the hotel. Rental yields are currently around five per cent, and expected to rise as Boa Vista becomes more and more popular with cash-rich foreign holidaymakers.