Tours & tickets

Cova de Paúl

Start your adventure with a pick-up from your accommodation in São Vicente followed by a transfer to the port for a 1-hour ferry ride to Santo Antão. Upon arrival, meet your local expert and drive through the mountains to Cape Verde's largest volcanic crater, Cova de Paúl, an extinct volcano used for the cultivation of potatoes, carrots, onions and more. After visiting the Cova Natural Park, take the Corda Road and traverse the island' smost spectacular landscapes. Enjoy a photo stop at the Delgadinho mountain viewpoint and be amazed by stunning views of sharp cliffs and beautiful valleys. Proceed to the fishing village of Ponta de Sol, meet the locals before a scenic drive to Ribeira Grande. Next, take a break for lunch before arriving in Vale de Paúl, surrounded by greenery, thatched-roof houses and stunning scenery. After discovering one of Cape Verde's most beautiful islands, be transferred to Porto Novo and catch your ferry back to São Vicente. The tour ends with a drop-off at your hotel in Mindelo.

Begin your day with an early pick-up from your accommodation in Mindelo and transfer to the harbor for a scenic ferry ride to Santo Antão (approximately 1 hour). Enjoy ocean views and keep an eye out for dolphins or flying fish along the way. Upon arrival in Porto Novo, meet your local guide for a full-day island tour that brings the beauty and stories of Santo Antão to life. Travel the breathtaking Old Mountain Road to the volcanic crater of Cova de Paúl, with panoramic views of the island’s dramatic landscapes. Stop at the Mountain Ridge of Delgadinho to admire the lush green valleys below. Continue through historic towns and coastal villages, including Ribeira Grande, Ponta do Sol, Sinagoga, and Paúl. Enjoy a traditional Cape Verdean lunch at a local restaurant, followed by a visit to a distillery to learn about the island’s famous sugarcane liquor, Grogue. After the tour, head back to Porto Novo along the stunning New Coastal Road, where dramatic cliffs meet the ocean and mountain tunnels cut through rugged volcanic rock. Board the ferry back to São Vicente. A transfer will be waiting at the harbor to take you back to your accommodation in Mindelo. 06:15–06:30 – From your accommodation in Mindelo (please confirm your address) Or meet in front of the Ferry Terminal Mindelo Ferry: 07:00 – Ferry departs from São Vicente to Porto Novo, Santo Antão 08:00 – Arrive in Santo Antão, meet your local guide at the terminal, Garemaritima, Porto Novo, he will have a sign with your name on it. Full-Day Tour by Car – Highlights include: Porto Novo Old Mountain Road Volcano Crater of Cova de Paúl Pico da Cruz (1,585 m / 5,200 ft) Delgadinho mountain ridge Povação Ribeira de Torre / Xôxô Ribeira Grande Ponta do Sol Sinagoga Paúl Valley Vila das Pombas Janela (via the coastal road) Lunch: 13:00 – Enjoy a traditional Cape Verdean lunch at a local restaurant. (Lunch is not included. Typical cost: €10–20. Please bring cash in euros or escudos, as cards are not accepted.) Return: 15:20 – Arrive back in Porto Novo 16:00 – Ferry back to São Vicente 17:00 – Arrive in Mindelo and transfer back to your accommodation

Visit Cape Verde's largest volcanic crater, see the natural rock formations of Delgadin, visit a local fishing village, and have a local lunch before heading to Cape Verde's greenest valley and visiting a distillery to taste famous local rum. Begin the adventure with pickup from your accommodation and before driving through the mountains to reach Cape Verde's largest volcanic crater, Cova de Paúl. See a panoramic view of the extinct volcano, over 1000 meters in height, and enjoy breathtaking landscapes of the immense and green round plain inside of the crater used as agricultural fields. Head to Delgadin, a perfect mountaintop to admire the natural towers carved in the valley near Ribeira da Torre. Arrive in Povoacão, one of the main cities of Santo Antão, and proceed to Ribeira da Torre and see many fruits and vegetables along the route. Continue the journey to the charming coastal village of Ponta de Sol, and get the chance to meet the local fishermen with their small traditional boats. Drive to the picturesque village of Fontainhas, one of the 10 villages with the best view in the world according to National Geographic. Take a break for a delicious lunch in a local setting and then head to Cape Verde's greenest valley, Vale de Paúl. Delight in a peaceful and authentic Cape Verde atmosphere, surrounded by thatched-roof houses and an incredible green color of the agricultural fields. Visit a distillery and taste the famous local rum called “grogue”. Explore Sinagoga, an extinct Jewish village that still preserves its essence. Conclude the tour with drop-off at your accommodation.

Get adventurous in Cova Natural Park and hike an extinct volcano. Set out on the trail in Santo Antao, marveling at the vast vegetation emerging within the crater from 1,100 meters above sea level. Zig-zag up the trail, take in views of the ocean, and visit a rum distillery before heading back. Head to the edge and enjoy the most breathtaking views of the green valley of Paul that outstretches before you. Look out over the ocean, 10 kilometers away, and breathe before beginning the next challenge. Start the zig-zag portion of the trail and learn about the native vegetation while crossing beautiful plantations of sugarcane, banana, mango, avocado, coconut, and more. Experience the production of a local rum in a traditional distillery and try a taste of the famous Grogue.

Begin with an early morning pick up at your accommodation in Mindelo, transfer to the Harbor of Mindelo for your adventure by Ferry to our neighboring Paradise Island, Santo Antão. On your ferry travel across the canal (up to 1 hour on ferry), you may stand on deck to witness dolphins, flying fish and more of our marine life, or you can decide to relax on the comfortable chairs and enjoy some music on your way. Arrive to Porto Novo, as you exit the terminal you will be met by your local guide who will take you on a journey through the mountains to the top of our ancient Volcano Crater of Cova. A must see! Atop Cova crater you will have breathtaking views of the immense lush green valley below, in the distance, by the sea, Vila das Pombas awaits! On this mostly descending adventure down Cova crater to Cabo de Ribeira, walking into the valley of Paúl we will pass through small villages where agriculture is the daily lifestyle, beholding mango, papaya, goiaba, oranges, apples, passion fruit, avocado trees, sugarcane fields, banana and coffee plants. After our trek, we will enjoy a delicious lunch at a typical local restaurant. Travel back to Porto Novo on the stunning coastal Road, passing through mountain tunnels, and colorful villages arriving to the Ferry. Return to Porto Novo, board the ferry to return to São Vicente. Upon arrival to the Harbor, you will enjoy a transfer to your accommodation in Mindelo.

Venture into the Cova Natural Park and hike an extinct volcano. Follow the trail in Santo Antão, marvelling at the vast vegetation that emerges from the crater at an altitude of 1,100 metres. Zig-zag along the trail, enjoy the view of the ocean and visit a rum distillery before heading back. Head to the rim and enjoy the most breathtaking views of Paul's verdant valley stretching out before you. Look out over the ocean, 10 kilometres away, and take a breather before embarking on the next challenge. Start the zig-zag section of the trail and get to know the native vegetation as you pass through beautiful plantations of sugar cane, bananas, mangoes, avocados, coconuts and much more. Experience the production of a local rum in a traditional distillery and try the famous Grogue.

Arrive to Porto Novo, as you enter the Garemaritima terminal you will be met by your local guide who will take you to all the Island Highlights in one day by car! Begin your journey ascending through the mountains along the old cobblestone road, you will pass by small communities with traditional thatched roof homes, donkeys carrying water, farmers working the land and the daily hardworking people of this incredible place. Stop at Pico d Cruz, above the clouds with its green pine forest and eucalyptus trees, feel the cool breeze, take in the picturesque view of Paúl from up top. We arrive to the ancient Volcano Crater of Cova de Paúl - A must see! Atop of Cova you will have breathtaking views inside the crater; the mist from clouds allows this farming community to self-sustain. Drive on to Delgadin, the narrow mountaintop crossing which separates two major valleys, Ribeira Grande & Ribeira da Torre; famous for photographs while on Santo Antão. Arrive to the colorful city of Povacao one of the main cities in Ribeira Grande with its colonial, also modern homes, and beautiful street art. We will make a stop for lunch in town. Visit Ribeira de Torre one of the greenest and most fertile valleys in Cabo Verde, where you will find bananas, mangos, sugar cane, and breadfruit trees. Then on to the fishing village of Ponta do Sol, with its old port of Boca de Pistola, where you can experience the arrival of the fisherman, and see the catch of the day! Passing through Sinagoga, a historical site where you will find links to Cape Verdean Jewish history. On to the municipality of Paúl, with its grand Saint Anthony statue overlooking Villa das Pombas for its protection. Arriving to the village of Eito, we will visit our rum distillery, also known as Grogue, and have the opportunity to taste. Traveling back to Porto Novo via Janela on the new stunning coastal road, pass through fascinating mountain tunnels, and see the lighthouse, Farol de Fontes Pereira de Melo. Arrive to Porto Novo in time to board your cruise ship.

Start your adventure with a pick-up from your accommodation in São Vicente followed by a transfer to the port for a 1-hour ferry ride to Santo Antão. Upon arrival, meet your local expert and drive through the mountains to Cape Verde's largest volcanic crater, Cova de Paúl, an extinct volcano used for the cultivation of potatoes, carrots, onions and more. After visiting the Cova Natural Park, take the Corda Road and traverse the island' smost spectacular landscapes. Enjoy a photo stop at the Delgadinho mountain viewpoint and be amazed by stunning views of sharp cliffs and beautiful valleys. Proceed to the fishing village of Ponta de Sol, meet the locals before a scenic drive to Ribeira Grande. Next, take a break for lunch before arriving in Vale de Paúl, surrounded by greenery, thatched-roof houses and stunning scenery. After discovering one of Cape Verde's most beautiful islands, be transferred to Porto Novo and catch your ferry back to São Vicente. The tour ends with a drop-off at your hotel in Mindelo.