Boa Vista is not an island where you tick off a list of monuments: it is an island of wide-open spaces, endless beaches and dunes. At around 620 km² with very few inhabitants, everything is far from everything. So the right question isn't “what should I see?” but “how do I organise my days to really enjoy it?”. Here are three plans depending on how much time you have.
1-day plan: the essentials
With a single day, focus on a half-day excursion: a local guide takes you across the island with no need to worry about the road or the tracks. In the morning the light is soft and the heat still mild; in the afternoon you finish in golden light. Keep the evening for Sal Rei: a stroll along the seafront, colourful façades, dinner facing the ocean.
3-day plan: the right balance
Settle in, wander round town, swim and watch the sunset. A calm day to get used to the sun and wind.
Several emblematic sites in a single day, with a local guide, without driving or finding your way.
Take the handlebars at your own pace: a quad for sand and dunes, a scooter for the coast. Day 2 will have given you ideas of places to revisit.
1-week plan: taking your time
A week lets you alternate. Keep two or three days for the beach and rest, and spread the rest: an excursion, a quad or scooter outing and, depending on the season, a nature activity. From June to October sea turtles come to nest on the beaches (watch only in a supervised setting, at night, with no lights and no disturbance). From March to May humpback whales pass offshore. The rest of the year the steady wind makes the island a playground for board sports.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need to see Boa Vista?
Should you rent a vehicle or book an excursion?
Can you see everything without a vehicle?
Ready for your Boa Vista adventure?
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