Name: Hotel Riu Palace Santa Maria - All Inclusive
Price range: £277
Rating: 9.2

Your Santa Maria Holiday

When you book a holiday package to Santa Maria, all the planning is done before you leave. This gives you extra time to discover some of the things that characterise this seaside city, such as its laid-back lifestyle, beaches and welcoming locals. Santa Maria Beach, Santa Maria Pier and Santa Maria Town Square are just a few of the sights you'll want to explore during your trip to Santa Maria. Stop dreaming and start doing. Browse the range of options on Expedia today and put your Santa Maria holiday plans into action!

Top Santa Maria Flight + Hotel Deals

Price found within the past 48 hours. Click for updated prices.

Hotel Central Santa Maria

£572

per person

9 May - 16 May

found 1 day ago

Return direct flight included

London (LHR) to Sal Island (SID)

8.4/10 Very Good! (34 reviews)

The room was big and always clean, staff was very helpful and the decor was nice

Reviewed on 13 Dec 2025

Hotel Sobrado

£585

per person

9 May - 16 May

found 1 day ago

Return direct flight included

London (LHR) to Sal Island (SID)

8.2/10 Very Good! (81 reviews)

Bed is super comfortable and the layout is very inviting. I also enjoyed the balcony and the shower is very good along with WIFI

Reviewed on 31 Oct 2025

Murdeira Village Resort

£650

per person

9 May - 16 May

found 1 day ago

Return direct flight included

London (LHR) to Sal Island (SID)

7.8/10 Good! (225 reviews)

Hard to review stay as I was suffering from after effects (but clear) of recent Novo contracted in UK as lost 8-9 lbs. So did not due what I expected to do & 1/2 way thru stay started to pick up. Room, staff breakfast very good. Had nice trip to Santa Maria they provide for free. Pool fine but used less than expected as not up to it. Snorkelled in small bay up from reception. Good first 2 days last day churned up so visibility issues. Very nice walks N & S of resort on or near beach which I could not exploit as much as wished. Nice meals in afternoon N of reception. Good Super Mercardo on site S of reception

Reviewed on 17 Dec 2024

BIA D'Olaf Apartments

£667

per person

9 May - 16 May

found 1 day ago

Return direct flight included

London (LHR) to Sal Island (SID)

6/10 (1 review)

Apartment was beautiful, great location, upstairs to a really nice cafe. Host was very friendly!

Reviewed on 17 Jan 2026

Melia Tortuga Beach

£1,541

per person

6 Apr - 10 Apr

found 18 hours ago

Return flight included

London (LGW) to Sal Island (SID)

8/10 Very Good! (218 reviews)

Room facilities were basic but good value for money.

Reviewed on 26 Jan 2026

Things to do in Santa Maria

Santa Maria offers a delightful blend of beach and outdoor activities for holidaymakers. You can enjoy the lively atmosphere at the public market, relax on the stunning Kite Beach, or revel in vibrant party nights. For the adventurous, fishing tours and exhilarating water slides await, while a village tour provides a glimpse into local culture. Whether you're seeking relaxation or excitement, Santa Maria has something for everyone.

Shopping

The Santa Maria Municipal Market is a vibrant public market where you can experience local culture and shop for unique gifts and souvenirs. If you're up for a drive, the Praia Shopping Centre, located over 16.1km away, offers a larger selection of shops and brands.

Recreation

Experience rejuvenation with yoga sessions on the beach, indulge in soothing spa treatments using local ingredients, and partake in holistic workshops. For adventure, try windsurfing or kite surfing, and enjoy leisurely strolls along the picturesque coastline, immersing yourself in the tranquil island atmosphere.

Adventure

Experience windsurfing or kitesurfing at Ponta Preta Beach, known for its ideal conditions. For a unique adventure, take a quad bike tour through the stunning landscapes of Sal. Don’t miss snorkelling at the natural pools of Buracona, where vibrant marine life awaits.

Nightlife

The nightlife in Santa Maria is vibrant and lively, with a variety of bars and clubs to explore. Enjoy cocktails at the beachfront bars or dance the night away at local clubs like Disco Gamboa. The atmosphere is friendly, making it easy to mingle with fellow travellers and locals.

*Distances are measured in a straight line; actual driving distances may vary depending on the route.

Find the best attractions in Santa Maria

Santa Maria, located on the picturesque island of Sal, Cape Verde, is ideal for beach, outdoor, and city-themed vacations. Visitors can explore beautiful beaches, including the famous Santa Maria Beach, along with vibrant local culture at the jetty and piazza. The area boasts popular resorts and a variety of attractions that cater to those seeking an outdoor experience or a relaxing beach getaway, making it a perfect destination for travellers of all interests.

Santa Maria Beach: Experience the stunning beauty of Santa Maria Beach, known for its soft white sands and crystal-clear waters. This beach offers a perfect spot for sunbathing and water sports, creating a vibrant atmosphere ideal for relaxation and fun.
Santa Maria Pier: Stroll along Santa Maria Pier, where luxury meets budget-friendly options. Enjoy breathtaking views of the ocean, and perhaps indulge in a leisurely meal at a nearby café while soaking up the relaxing vibe of the waterfront.
Santa Maria Town Square: Immerse yourself in the local culture at Santa Maria Town Square. This lively piazza serves as a hub for community events, markets, and socialising, offering a true taste of city life in Cape Verde.

Best time to go to Santa Maria

The best time to visit Santa Maria is dependent on what kind of holiday you are seeking. September is its hottest month on average. At this time, visitor numbers are average and weather is mostly sunny with light rain. March is its coolest month on average. At this time, visitor numbers are slightly high and weather is sunny with no rain.

Calendar Month	Temperature	Precipitation	Cloudiness	Occupancy	Pricing
January	72.0°F (22.2°C)	No Rain	Sunny	Slightly High	Average
February	70.0°F (21.1°C)	No Rain	Sunny	Average	Slightly High
March	69.8°F (21.0°C)	No Rain	Sunny	Slightly High	Average
April	70.5°F (21.4°C)	No Rain	Sunny	Slightly High	Slightly High
May	72.0°F (22.2°C)	No Rain	Sunny	Slightly Low	Slightly Low
June	72.9°F (22.7°C)	No Rain	Sunny	Slightly Low	Slightly Low
July	74.8°F (23.8°C)	No Rain	Mostly Sunny	Average	Average
August	77.7°F (25.4°C)	No Rain	Mostly Sunny	Average	Average
September	79.7°F (26.5°C)	Light Rain	Mostly Sunny	Average	Slightly Low
October	79.2°F (26.2°C)	No Rain	Mostly Sunny	Slightly Low	Average
November	77.0°F (25.0°C)	No Rain	Mostly Sunny	Average	Average
December	74.1°F (23.4°C)	No Rain	Sunny	Average	Slightly High

Tips to save on your trip to Santa Maria

Combine your flights, hotels and car rentals on Expedia—bundling can result in significant savings.
Consider traveling to Santa Maria during the low season (May to June and September) for more affordable options.
Use the Price per traveler filter on Expedia to find a package deal that suits your budget.
Check the VIP Access properties filter to discover outstanding hotels with added member perks at select properties.

Santa Maria Beach Holiday

Fresh sea air and fabulous ocean views are some things to look forward to on your Santa Maria holiday. If you're eager to save on your trip to Santa Maria, we'll let you in on a secret — choose one of our Santa Maria holiday packages. Grab one near Santa Maria Beach, only 1 mile from the town centre and a must-see while here. Alternatively, select a package that puts you close to Shark Bay Beach, another tempting strip of coast. Either way, you'll be left with extra dollars in your holiday budget to play with.

Things You Should Know About Santa Maria

Spend your holiday by the water and let the stresses of daily life drift away with the sea breeze. Check out our Santa Maria beach hotels and indulge in a little beachside bliss.
Our apartments, like Antonio Sousa Beach 3 Bedroom Apartment and Vila Verde Resort- Ground floor Apartment, are a hit with travellers of all types. Consider the facilities and get set for your holiday in Santa Maria!
Santa Maria is home to 17,200 people and has lots to keep the whole gang busy. Want to start planning some exciting activities? Head straight to our Santa Maria things to do page.
If you're looking for places to visit during your stay, add Santa Maria Beach, Shark Bay Beach and Santa Maria Town Square to your must-see list. Also, take a look at our Santa Maria holiday deals to get great deals on your experiences, hotels and more.

Santa Maria Essential Information

Language	Portuguese
Currency	Cape Verdean escudos
Local Welcome	Olá
Local Goodbye	Adeus
Closest Airport	Amilcar Cabral Intl. Airport (SID)
Population	17,200
Max Temp Winter	24ºC
Max Temp Summer	24ºC
Top Sights	Santa Maria Beach, Shark Bay Beach and Kite Beach

Top hotels in Santa Maria

Melia Dunas Beach Resort & Spa - All Inclusive

Rua Andrade Corvo Sal

Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay

£285

1 Mar - 2 Mar

includes taxes & fees

7/10 Good! (171 reviews)

The staffs very friendly, and amenities are super.

Reviewed on 14 Jan 2026

Agua Hotels Sal Vila Verde Resort

Santa Maria Sal

Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay

£61

17 Mar - 18 Mar

includes taxes & fees

7.8/10 Good! (123 reviews)

We stayed at Vila Verde for 2 weeks over Christmas and New Year in a huge apartment. It has a very relaxed and chilled out feel in the complex, an others mentioned parts need updating but this is being done. The staff are all polite and friendly from the security guards cheering me on my morning ...

Reviewed on 15 Jan 2026

Hotel Riu Palace Santa Maria - All Inclusive

Cabocan Lote E2, Santa Maria Sal Cape Verde

£277

15 Mar - 16 Mar

includes taxes & fees

9.2/10 Wonderful! (82 reviews)

Yes, l must say the staff at all levels work tremendously hard to make my stay enjoyable. Every where l went there was someone proactive from the restaurants, bars , toilets and room staff

Reviewed on 30 Jan 2026

See all 263 properties in Santa Maria

Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.