What to See in Boa Vista - Top Sights and Attractions

Nossa Senhora da Conceição church is a church at the southeastern edge of the village Povoação Velha, on the island of Boa Vista, Cape Verde. It sits at the foot of the mountain Rocha Estância.

It was built in 1828. Its interior is decorated with a colourfully painted chancel that has numerous little images of saints. Each year on December 8, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception is celebrated and forms one of the major religious celebrations on the island.^[1]

Nature preserve in Cape Verde. Morro de Areia Nature Reserve is a nature reserve covering the southwestern coast of the island of Boa Vista in Cape Verde. It takes its name from the hill Morro de Areia, 167 m elevation. The natural reserve covers 21.31 km2 of land area, and stretches along the coast from the Praia de Chaves in the north to the Praia de Santa Monica in the south. The reserve includes a 300 m wide marine protection zone, an additional 4.36 km2.^[2]

Praia de Santa Mónica is a sandy beach in the southwestern part of the island of Boa Vista in Cape Verde. The nearest village is Povoação Velha, 5 km to the north. The beach is adjacent to the protected area Morro de Areia Nature Reserve, which is important for endemic birds and turtles. Praia de Santa Mónica is part of a tourism development zone.^[3]

Beach in Cape Verde. Praia Grande is a large beach on the northeast coast of the island of São Vicente, Cape Verde. It is 1.5 km northwest of the village Calhau. The white sandy beach is surrounded by volcanic rocks. It is accessible by road from Calhau and Baía das Gatas.^[4]

Ervatão or Porto de Ervatão is a beach on the southeast coast of the island of Boa Vista in Cape Verde. At its eastern end is the headland Ponta de Ervatão. Ervatão is part of the Turtle Nature Reserve. The area of Ervatão receives 70% of all turtles nesting on Boa Vista. In July 2009, 8,000 turtle nests were counted.^[5]

Tourist attraction in Cape Verde. Praia de Atalanta is a beach on the north coast of the island of Boa Vista in Cape Verde. It is approximately 6 km northeast of the island capital of Sal Rei and 3 km west of Vigía. The wreck of the Spanish cargo ship Cabo Santa Maria, which ran aground on September 1, 1968, is located here.

The beach forms a part of Boa Esperança Nature Reserve which also includes the beaches of Sobrado and Copinha.^[6]

Prominent summit marked by rocky terrain. Monte Estância is a mountain in the southeastern part of the island Boa Vista in Cape Verde. At 387 m elevation, it is the island's highest point. It is located 4 km from the Atlantic coast and 23 km southeast of the island capital Sal Rei. It is part of a protected natural space under the statute of natural monument, which covers 739 ha.^[7]

Mountain. Rocha Estância is a mountain in the southwestern part of the island Boa Vista in Cape Verde, east of the village of Povoação Velha. Its elevation is 357 meters. It is part of a protected area covering 253 ha. The Our Lady of Conception church is located at the western foot of the mountain.^[8]

Mountain. Monte Santo António is a mountain in the southwestern part of the island Boa Vista in Cape Verde. At 379 m elevation, it is the island's second highest point. Like Rocha Estância and Monte Estância, it rises steeply from the surrounding plains. It is part of a protected natural area under the statute of natural monument, covering 459 hectares.^[9]

Village. Cabeça dos Tarrafes is a village in the eastern part of the island of Boa Vista, Cape Verde. The village is located about 2 km south of Fundo das Figueiras and 21 km southeast of the island capital of Sal Rei. It is one of the easternmost communities in Cape Verde.^[10]

Village in Cape Verde. Estância de Baixo is a settlement in the western part of the island of Boa Vista, Cape Verde. Its population was 578 in 2010, making it the island's third most populated place. The village is around 6 km southeast of the island capital of Sal Rei, west of the Deserto de Viana, on the eastern bank of Ribeira do Rabil.^[11]