Half-day southern Boa Vista 4x4 tour with Viana Desert
Excursions & day trips

Half-day southern Boa Vista 4x4 tour with Viana Desert

4.2/5

Excellent
232 reviews
from
$49.00
Free cancellation
Language: German, English, Finnish, French, Dutch, Polish, Swedish
Mobile voucher accepted
Duration: from 2 hours to 4 hours
Why you’ll love this…
  • You'll roam over the sands of the Viana Desert in a rugged 4x4
  • In Rabil, you'll see local craftsmanship at the ceramic factory – and maybe a find a souvenir, too
  • You'll get to sample Cape Verde's national dish, catchupa stew, in a tasting session
  • There's free time to relax on Santa Monica Beach, and wander around Povoação Velha
  • Your local guide will bring stories of Boa Vista and its villages to life throughout the tour
What to expect

This fun-filled tour gives you the chance to delve into some of Boa Vista's top spots. Spend a morning exploring inland villages and roaming the Viana desert in a 4x4, before ending up on one of the island's most pretty beaches. Roberto, one of our local guides, says, ‘It probably wasn't their intention but the souvenir shops of Povoação Velha and Rabil have become unwitting social media stars. Their colourful, kitsch and carefree displays are massive Instagram hits.'

This morning-long adventure kicks off with a visit to Rabil – Boa Vista's second-largest town. From its vibrant streets to traditional architecture, the town reflects the island's tough yet resilient spirit. Here, you'll visit a ceramic factory, where you'll see the handiwork of local artisans and might be able to grab yourself a souvenir of local pottery. You'll also get to taste Cape Verde's national dish, catchupa, a rich stew of corn, beans, pork and vegetables – through ingredients change, not just from island to island or village to village, but house to house.

Next, hold on tight as you zoom through the dusty landscape of the Viana desert. Our next stop is Povoação Velha, the oldest settlement on the island. Wander its rustic streets before kicking back on the 11km-long Santa Monica beach. Its sugar-white sand contrasts against fluorescent blue waters like an image from a postcard. If you're an adventure seeker, you can even try your hand at sandboarding.

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What's included
  • check Transport
  • check Driver/ Guide
  • check 4x4 tour
  • check Local delicacy tasting
What to remember
  • Check with your guide before swimming at Santa Monica beach
  • Bring bathing gear and sunblock
  • Subject to weather conditions
  • Not suitable for wheelchairs
Read more
Provider
TUI CAPE VERDE
Booking fee
Good news! No extra fees are applied to this booking.
Cancellation policy
Receive a 100% refund if you cancel up to 1 day before the experience begins.

What people say about this experience

Excellent

4.2 /5

Based on 232 reviews from verified customers


Review categories

Safety

4.2/5

Staff

4.2/5

Value for money

4.1/5

Service

4.2/5


44%
40%
13%
2%
1%

Sort by:

  • H

    Howard Glass

    Verified booking

    5

    October 26, 2025

    Traveled as a couple


    The hotel was lovely Food excellent and entertainment was good

  • S

    Steve?

    Verified booking

    1.4

    October 7, 2025

    Traveled as a couple


    40 years of holidays and this was undoubtedly the worst excursion I have ever been on. A completely disinterested young guide who gave us no information about either the trip or the country. Jammed into the back of a land rover for the day with poor views. A number of ridiculous stops ending up on a beach with no shade and a dangerously rough sea (okay it was quite picturesque). This was a big fail from my point of view.

  • C

    CJB

    Verified booking

    3

    September 30, 2025

    Traveled as a couple


    The sand boarding was fun but spoiled by sellers who hassled us as soon as we arrived at the dunes. The breakfast snack was not very pleasant, suggest maybe just a pastry and coffee in the future TUI! Drive through the villages were good but again spoiled by by sellers who jumped on us as soon as we stopped. Would suggest in future stopping for much shorter periods or not at all. Santa Monica beach was beautiful, and rescued what would have been a mediocre trip. Suggest longer time at the beach.

  • G

    GWYNN

    Verified booking

    4.6

    September 18, 2025

    Traveled as a couple


    WE ENJOYED THIS TRIP OVERALL AND ENJOYED VISITING THE 2 VILLAGES, ESPECIALLY THE POTTERY. THE BEACH WAS BEAUTIFUL BUT NO-ONE TOLD US BEFOREHAND THAT THE SEA MIGHT NOT BE SAFE TO SWIM IN. MY HUSBAND IS A STRONG SWIMMER SO WAS OK, I HAD TO SIT ON THE EDGE OF THE SHORE. THE DESERT WAS FASCINATING. THE SNOW BOARDING LOOKED FUN, ALTHOUGH WE DIDN'T TRY IT OUT AS WE DIDN'T FANCY THE TREK BACK UP! OUR GUIDE WAS A PLEASANT YOUNG MAN BUT DIDN'T REALLY GIVE US MUCH INFORMATION ABOUT THE PLACES WE VISITED.

  • M

    Monty

    Verified booking

    3

    September 15, 2025

    Traveled as a couple


    Due to my wife's mobility issues, we changed from a full-day to half a day tour. Tui staff promised that my wife would be looked after. This Jeep had a very low roof plus no legroom. A big elderly woman could hardly climb in and out of the Jeep. I had to help her. An over 6-foot man could hardly sit. Our heads kept on banging on the roof when on a rough road. It was not comfortable at all. We were refused to be moved into a high-roof Jeep. I requested a refund as I wasted a day.

  • J

    Jayne/Steve

    Verified booking

    3.8

    September 11, 2025

    Traveled as a couple


    Really good

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