A Complete Guide to the Full-Day Santiago Island Tour & Tarrafal Beach

The isolated beauty of the Island of Santiago in Cape Verde, Africa is unmissable. Popular for its beautiful sandy beaches, spectacular coastal scenery and diverse culture, Santiago is a destination that should be experienced. And further exploring the island for an entire day is a great way to get immersed in the beauty it offers. The Full-Day Santiago Island Tour & Tarrafal Beach is the perfect way to capture all the essential beauty that Santiago Island has to offer.

What Is Included in the Full-Day Santiago Island Tour & Tarrafal Beach?

The Full-Day Santiago Island Tour & Tarrafal Beach is a full-day adventure that covers several fascinating sites in the island. Depending on your preferences, you can take a private car tour or a more intimate shared vehicle tour. Regardless of your choice, you can expect to visit a number of scenic sites, including the RiHa Veja Volcano, the town of Tarrafal and its local market, the colonial town of Assomada, and the beautiful Tarrafal Beach.

During your tour you’ll get a chance to explore and learn about each site in great detail. Your guide will introduce you to the local culture, with stops in various towns to allow you to experience authentic Cape Verde dishes as well as chat with locals and enjoy their hospitality. Finally, at the end of your journey, your guide will take you to Tarrafal Beach – a true hidden paradise with white sand and turquoise waters – for a dip before returning to Praia.

What Makes It So Special?

The Full-Day Santiago Island Tour & Tarrafal Beach stands out from other island tours due to its comprehensiveness. Rather than just going to iconic sites, it allows you to fully explore and discover all of Santiago’s hidden gems in just one day. Here are some reasons we believe this tour so special:

• The guided tour gives you access to exclusive sites (such as RiHa Veja volcano) that many don’t get a chance to visit otherwise.
• The shared car tour allows you to interact with locals and get a real insight into Cape Verdean culture.
• Your guide will provide detailed background information about each stop enabling you to learn more about every site.
• You will have a chance to try some local Cape Verdean dishes.
• Tarrafal beach – where you can relax for an hour and take a dip before returning to Praia – is definitely worth it.

Overall, this tour offers everything one could hope for from an island tour, from exploring hidden gems and discovering local culture to taking in stunning coastal views and having a relaxing swim. It’s definitely one of the best ways to get acquainted with the picturesque island of Santiago.

What Should I Expect?

The Full-Day Santiago Island Tour & Tarrafal Beach usually starts at 8:00 am at the central Praia bus station and ends around 4:30 pm. You’ll travel by bus or modern air-conditioned minivan (depending on your choice) from Praia to Tarrafal, stopping at various sites along the way such as RiHa Veja Volcano and Assomada. You’ll spend up to two hours exploring each stop before heading back towards the beaches of Tarrafal via Fajã do Ribeira Funda and Ponta Verde where you’ll admire the stunning Cape Verdean coastline. After swimming in Tarrafal beach (for approximately 1 hour) your driver will take you back to Praia.

Your tour will be accompanied by an English-speaking guide who will provide interesting background information on every stop and be readily available to answer any questions that may arise during your trip.

What Are My Booking Options?

If you’re looking for a stress-free way of booking your tour, we recommend booking through GetYourGuide. GetYourGuide offers several variants of the same tour, ranging from private car options with flexible pick up times and pick up locations – making it ideal for those with time restrictions – to affordable shared/group itineraries ideal for those looking for a social experience.

Regardless of where you decide to book your tour, remember to read all the details carefully beforehand and make sure you book a day or two weeks in advance if possible as spaces tend to fill quickly during peak season (June through October).

Overall, based on our experience, we can highly recommend GetYourGuide if you are looking for stress-free booking and great value for the money.

Conclusion: Is It Worth It?

The Full-Day Santiago Island Tour & Tarrafal Beach is an excellent way to experience all that Santiago has to offer within a single day. From exploring volcanic landscapes, colonial settlements and rural farms to taking in breathtaking coastal views and relaxing on gorgeous beaches, this unique tour package offers it all. An experienced English-speaking guide will provide interesting background information throughout your trip and make sure you don’t miss out on any essential facts. All in all, we believe this is a small price to pay for such an unforgettable experience so if you’re planning a visit to Santiago – don’t miss out on this one! Try it now by booking on GetYourGuide!.