Santa Maria has quite a bit of dry land, but also some greenery to make it a beautiful place to spend your July holiday. During this month, the forecast calls for an average temperature of around 25°C (about 77°F), a very comfortable temperature for this time of year compared to other areas. The high does creep up to a balmy 27°C (around 81°F), while the lows drop to 22°C (about 72°F).
The average amount of sunlight during the day at this time is 9 hours, giving you plenty of time to get out and explore or just relax on the beach or next to a pool. Be sure to bring sunglasses, a hat and a high SPF to protect your skin from the direct summer rays. You probably won't need a jacket or light sweater at night, unless you're typically cold.
The rain increases significantly during the month from previous levels, with an average of 11mm falling. The rain falls on five days over the month, so it's a good idea to pack an umbrella, raincoat or poncho just in case, but this is still not too much. The chance of rain is three percent and the chance of a cloudy day is around 25 percent. The winds have calmed down too, with a 56 percent chance of a windy day.
The average sea temperatures are the same as the average daytime temperatures, so you might actually feel a little chilly getting out of the pool or the ocean, but it will feel very pleasant whilst swimming. The average sea temperature is 25°C (about 77°F), up a degree from the sea temperature in June.
While normally it has steady temps from year to year, the resort has seen some extremes during this month. The highest recorded temperature in July was 36°C (about 98°F), with the lowest recorded temperature hitting 20°C (about 68°F).
Where to Stay
Pousada da Luz is a decent hotel for those on a budget. It offers a partially-enclosed pool for spending the days in relaxation. The other modern hotel amenities include daily maid service, free breakfast, and air conditioning. Some of the rooms have balconies, so you can enjoy time in the warm air during your July holiday. The hotel is also conveniently located near town, restaurants and shopping.
For a more intimate and quiet visit, try the Porto do Vento hotel with 15 guest rooms. The rooms have two beds, and some have an extra third bed for larger groups or families. Additional room amenities include private bathrooms, hairdryer, telephone, ceiling fans, mini-bar, television, safe and balconies. The on-site restaurant and bar serve breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The Sal Beach Club is a good choice for families and couples with its three choices for room types. The family rooms have two double beds or a double bed and pull-out sofa and the other rooms have one double. All of the rooms have views of the ocean, terrace and sun beds to sit out and enjoy the weather. Other amenities include safe deposit boxes, free Wi-Fi and breakfast.
Eating and Drinking Out
Combining a wine bar with a pizzeria, Baraonda also serves other Italian dishes like pasta. Sitting outside the city limits, the restaurant is a quiet place to enjoy a sit-down dinner or just stop in for a nightcap drink. Open only for dinner, the place also has a television so you can catch a game while you eat.
Part of the Hotel Odjo d'Aqua, Farolin serves freshly-caught fish and seafood. It also serves the national specialty of cachupa rica. The restaurant provides guests with sweeping views of the ocean and also has some outdoor seating to enjoy the pleasant weather in July. Other menu items include small plates and tapas for a snack, and the establishment is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Stop in to the Caffe' Coloniale for a late-night drink or to enjoy an after-dinner dessert. The restaurant's second floor open terrace gives you excellent views of the Atlantic Ocean, beach and Santa Maria town square. The menu includes an array of choices, from seafood to steak to soups, and also has several vegetarian choices.
Things to Do
With its large sea turtle population, Santa Maria is an ideal place to view the amazing process that takes place every summer. During July, the female sea turtles start making the trek up the beach to lay eggs. Through Turtles SOS, you can take walking tours of the turtle hatchery and visit the beach to see the female turtles coming in and the baby turtles heading back out to sea.
The heat of the summer is a great time to try watersports in Santa Maria. Angulo Cabo Verde caters to surfers of all levels, from beginners to advanced and all those in between. During your lessons, you'll learn the basics of surfing and Angulo matches you up with the perfect board to fit your size and experience level. Along with surf lessons, the company offers surfboard rentals if you want to go out on your own.
As you're exploring the town of Santa Maria, you can see different architectural buildings, like the historic church, Paroquia de Nossa Senhora das Dores. The church still offers Catholic mass throughout the week. The aging, yet still beautiful exterior, is colorful greens, blues and whites. The colonial-era church is just as picturesque on the inside, with the same tropical colors decorating the sanctuary.
Dates to Note
On July 5th each year, the nation of Cape Verde celebrates its Independence Day. Cape Verde became its own nation on July 5, 1975, gaining independence from Portugal. Around the island, the different towns celebrate with parades, speeches from local politicians and performances.
