Sal Island

Overview

Originally named Llana until salt deposits were found on the island, Sal is the oldest and most popular island in Cape Verde. It is at the heart of Cape Verde’s flourishing tourism industry and was the first island to welcome tourists, thanks to the opening of the international airport in 1948. No doubt they were attracted by the eight kilometres of inviting white beaches and tropical climate.

With regular direct flights from the UK, Europe and throughout the world, Sal continues to dominate the Cape Verdean holiday rental market and is continually expanding as a world class tourist destination.

Billions of Euros of international investment has been pumped into hotels, resorts, golf resorts, marinas, water parks and commercial centres on the island. The main town of Santa Maria, once a salt miner’s village, has become the tourism centre of the island with an array of local bars, restaurants and shops to entice visitors.

• Sal is now a major tourist destination with tourism figures increasing all the time
• Tour operators are currently unable to meet the growing demand for high quality accommodation
• International airport with direct flights from Gatwick, Manchester and Birmingham, as well as across Europe and throughout the world
• Billions of Euros of international investment into hotels, resorts, golf resorts, marinas, water parks and commercial centres
• Sal Island accounts for 69% of Cape Verde's rental market
• Sal Island enjoys around 350 days of sunshine every year
• Sal is Portuguese for “salt”, and the Island was renamed after the salt mines at Pedra de Lume
• Just 30 km long by 12 km wide , the island has over eight kilometres of white sand beaches

Sal belongs to the northern group of islands within Cape Verde, called Barlavento, which also includes Boa Vista and Maio.

The charming town of Santa Maria in the south is the main tourist resort and has eight kilometres of stunning beaches, as well as an excellent choice of shops, bars and restaurants around the charming town square.

Dunas Beach Resort is set amongst the beautiful white sands of Pronta Preta beach, and just a couple of minutes to Santa Maria. This prime beach front location has been reserved for only the highest quality developments.

Growing Demand

It’s an emerging and growing market ideal for property investment overseas. The Cape Verdean government is protecting the island by enforcing strict development rules to prevent overcrowding and high rise buildings.

In fact, tour operators are currently unable to meet the growing demand from tourists due to the shortage of high quality rental accommodation.

All in all, Sal Island is at the heart of the investment excitement which surrounds Cape Verde. Its’ unique combination of climate, location, fast and convenient access and rapid development mean there’s never been a better opportunity to invest overseas for capital growth, rental income or resale.