Come October, you still have a good chance of rain in Santa Maria, but you also get very pleasant and warm temperatures. The average temperatures for the month are around 26°C (about 78°F), nice for this time of year compared to the UK. The highs for this part of the island of Sal average around 28°C (around 82°F) and the lows drop down to 23°C (about 73°F).
During your visit, you'll have 9 lovely hours of sunshine, plenty of time to get outside and enjoy the warm weather, even if you have to dodge a few raindrops. The rainfall averages drop down to 53mm during the month, falling over four days. You'll want to pack an umbrella, poncho or raincoat to have on hand in case of rain during your stay, but it is unlikely to affect much of your trip.
The weather is starting to cool down in Cape Verde, but you'll still want short-sleeved shirts, shorts and capris during the day and perhaps a light sweater or jacket for the evening hours. Also bring along some sunscreen with a high SPF and sunglasses and a hat for the sunny days.
There is a five percent chance of rain on any given day over the month and an 11 percent chance of a cloudy day. The wind has died down too during this time of the year, with a 60 percent chance of a windy day, so a hat might come in handy.
The average sea temperature for this month stays steady from September, averaging 27°C (about 81°F). These warm water temperatures are ideal for swimming, body boarding, wind-surfing and other watersports.
The extreme historic temperatures for this month were a high of 35°C (about 95°F) and a low of 11°C (about 52°F), very warm and cool temperatures for this area during this time of the year.
Where to Stay
With comfortable rooms and affordable rates, the Sab Sab Sal Hotel is a good choice for the budget-minded travelers. The 46 rooms have private bathrooms with a shower or bath, air conditioning, ceiling fans, televisions, minibars, telephones. Each room has a balcony or terrace with ocean views. While there, enjoy the warm October weather and the swimming pool, sun terrace, gym and fitness center and tennis court.
As the name suggests, Paradise Beach is a tranquil and quiet condominium complex offering an amazing holiday getaway. The 40 condos have full kitchens, living rooms, en-suite bathrooms and large balconies with views of the garden, pool or ocean. Only five minutes from town, the complex also offers guests swimming pools with sunbathing areas and poolside restaurant and bar that has free Wi-Fi.
The VOI Lighthouse Village resort sits on the beach and is only 1km away from the town of Santa Maria. Room choices include a triple or quadruple room with an ocean or garden view, air conditioning, telephone, minibar and private bathroom with shower. The hotel offers guests several options for food with an on-site restaurant and bar, breakfast room and room service. Other amenities include swimming pool, gym, solarium, concierge and laundry services.
Eating and Drinking Out
After dinner, head over to Legends, a sports bar that serves cold beer and a selection of cocktails, including several local favorites. While you enjoy your drinks, challenge your friends to a game of pool, darts or dominoes. The restaurant also has several televisions so you can enjoy a game of football or rugby.
D'Angela has a small menu of seafood and international dishes, but most people go for the buffet. The buffet is pay per weight of your plate and includes several meat choices, salads, veggies and other sides. Open for lunch and dinner, the restaurant also has outdoor seating so you can enjoy the still-pleasant October temperatures.
With an extensive breakfast and lunch menu, Creparia Sol Doce is a great place to start your day or stop in for a break while sightseeing. The restaurant's specialties include fresh-made crepes, omelets and salads. While there, enjoy ocean views on the outdoor terrace or take your food to go. It also serves hot and cold drinks like coffee and cappuccino if you just need a quick pick-me-up.
Things to Do
Even though October gets more rain compared to the rest of the year, you'll still have plenty of sunny days, perfect for renting ATVs and exploring the island. Be Be Beach rents four-wheelers that you can take out to the desert areas of the island and the beaches. You can also rent scooters, bikes and cars from Be Be Beach, if an ATV is not your style.
Another way to see Santa Maria and the surrounding area is a on a dune buggy tour through Andy Tours. The buggy excursions leave from the Andy Tours office in Santa Maria and take you around the island of Sal, making stops at the beach and other sites. The buggies include two and four-seat varieties.
Near the center of the island sits the Pedre Luma Salt Crater, left in the landscape from an ancient volcano. The nearby town of Pedre Luma used to house all the salt workers who mined the salt the island is known for and is now a tourist stop. There is a small entrance fee to reach the crater by tunnel, but once inside, you can swim in the water, which is 26 times saltier than the ocean water.
Dates to Note
Like other cultures, the people of Santa Maria and Cape Verde celebrate Halloween at the end of October. The locals call Halloween Noite de Bruxas or Night of the Witches and rather than dress up in costumes, they wear all black. During the celebration, many restaurants and bars have parties and special events to commemorate the night.
