With long stretches of unspoilt beach and a rich cultural heritage – Sal has all the ingredients for a perfect day trip. This tour packs in the best sights, including Buracona lagoon and Pedra de Lume salt flats. To top it off, there's a traditional Cape Verdean lunch, and you'll get a glimpse of laidback, local life in Espargos and Palmeira. Rodrigo, one of our local guides, says, ‘Pedra de Lume is in the middle of a volcanic crater, and you reach it via a tunnel. You can sometimes pick up compressed salt crystals the size of a golf ball, while at other times the salt is so hard that you walk on the pans.'
The fun kicks off with a visit to Espargos. You'll explore the island's colourful capital and admire its fascinating street art, before heading to an observatory point for elevated views over the town. Next, it's on to the Buracona lagoon, famed for an optical illusion known as the ‘blue eye' caused by the sunlight. The journey continues at the laidback fishing village of Palmeira. Relax in a café while your guide reveals stories about the village's past.
You're in for a treat next, as there's a table waiting for us at a family-run restaurant which serves a special Cape Verdean lobster dish. There are other tasty options, too. After fuelling up on local cuisine, we'll head to the Dead Sea-like waters of Pedra de Lume. Lie back and float on one of the world's saltiest lagoons, before stopping by at Viveiros Botanical Garden to discover exotic vegetation and a petting zoo.
What is the itinerary for this experience?
The itinerary for this experience is:
- 9:00am – pick-up from your hotel
- 9:30am – drive to Espargos and visit the town and church
- 10:00am – drive to Buracona
- 10:30am – visit Buracona Lagoon and its caves
- 11:45am – drive to Palmeira fishing village
- 12:30pm – have a drink at an esplanade café
- 12:45pm – drive to the restaurant for lunch
- 2:30pm – visit Salinas Pedra Lume
- 3:00pm – swim in Pedra de Lume's salty lagoon
- 4:00pm – drive to Viveiros, visit the Botanical Garden and have a drink
- 4:30pm – drive back to your hotel
Please note, the times and stops may vary slightly on the day.
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