New Page 1

Our trip was certainly eventful with a false start {and a dramatic conclusion when our homebound flight had to make an emergency landing on the Island of Porto Santo and where we had to spend another night in what was our third hotel of the trip the Pestano Beach Resort and SPA) when we arrived at Boa Vista along with 4 other couples we were told there were no rooms for us at the Karamboa and we would be transferred for 2 nights to the Ventaclub BoaVista. We were certainly not happy but as we were there for a fortnight we decided to make the best of it and were happy with the compensation package. The Ventaclub was not the same class only 3 stars at best but it did have some plusses. Worse bit damage to cases during transfers.
We eventually arrived at the hotel Riu Karamboa and were not disappointed it resembles a giant sandcastle directly on a fantastic beach and does not seem out of place although it appears to have been designed by someone on an LSD trip.

Regarding Boa Vista itself, the Island is an emerging destination and facilities outside the hotel are definitely 3rd World. However one of the reasons that we chose the destination it was portrayed as similar to the Canaries 40 years ago. So if its fantastic beaches, good weather and authentic culture it’s the place for you. If however you want bars cafes shops proper roads nightclubs etc it’s not the place for you.
The hotel and rooms are spotless with loads of staff constantly cleaning and always have a smile on their faces As a Club Hotel you don’t get waiter service apart from coffee and water at meal times. My only negative comments on the hotel are: Lack of sunshade in particular around the pool area where you need to be before 9 to get a decent spot, the hotel does not allow beds to be reserved and left before 9 and there were towels and stuff removed from unattended beds during our stay. As the sun is particularly intense we tended to try and get beds in the large pagoda that gave shelter all day, we referred to this as “The German Pavilion” for reasons that should become obvious to anyone going. There is also a problem that around the pool area the beds are very close to each other so you are likely to be nose to armpit to complete strangers. I would have thought the sun bed/shade problem could easily be resolved by constructing more sun terraces on the undeveloped land around Las Dunas (not everyone desires poolside)

The food was very good, the best we have ever had staying AI there is a vast choice so even the pickiest eater should find something to their taste. We were disappointed in the speciality restaurants the food was slightly different but similar to the main buffet again there is no waiter service apart from showing you to your table and bringing the first drink, the food is again self service buffet style and tends to be a bit of a bun fight So it is all a bit rushed and you can be out again in half an hour as opposed to having a leisurely evening as we have experienced elsewhere we rated them in this order:
1 African (las Dunas) 2 Asian Chinese (Buda)

3 Cape Verde (Barlovento)

We only went once to each preferring to take our evening meal on the Terrace of the main buffet (Santiago) There are self service drinks machines in all the restaurants for beer wine and soft drinks and also for beer and soft drinks in the main public areas cocktails spirits and wines are served at the bars which can get busy at peak times.

Before traveling I had seen pictures of the pool and thought it looked a bit garish but on arrival we thought it was terrific and we spent many an hour swimming or sipping drinks in the pool bar/Jacuzzi area, the pool bar was one of the best I have seen. We are not usually pool fans. but really enjoyed this one. The pool always appeared clean although the blowing sand must be a problem at times.

The animation team were very active all day but didn’t pester you to indulge. We didn’t spend much time in the theatre at night but it always appeared well supported.
We did watch a live presumably local band one night who were very good.
The Mogambo (Karaoke Bar) was taken over most nights by the Brits however things don’t start till 11pm and it finishes at 12 an earlier start would be an improvement. Also the first week we were there it did seem to be monopolised by semi professional singers the second week was better with some enthusiastic amateurs.

There is a Wellness Center for massages, manicures & hairdressing (chargeable)
It also has a great hot and cold Jacuzzi and sauna which is free but you may have to book for certain times.
There is a nursery complex with its own pool (no further info)
Water sports facilities on the beach from the scuba center some items free but you also have to sign a disclaimer

The room was very good as you would expect in a new hotel there is no bath but one of the best showers I have ever had in any hotel. The air conditioning also works well. The only thing I didn’t like was the beaded curtain to the wardrobe (Pics on link below)

The Thomson excursions all seemed expensive, I would recommend the 4 x 4 tour of the Island as it would be a crime to travel all this way just to see the airport and hotel, The tour takes most of the day but you do the Island in 2 halves Sal Rei and the shipwreck at Pria Santa Maria in the morning and Rabil the desert and the magnificent Pria Santa Monica in the afternoon surely one of the Worlds finest beaches. There is a 2 hour break back at the hotel and a couple of stops for drinks enroute most of the roads are just tracks so it can be bumpy at times.

I also took a boat trip from the scuba center across to Sal Rei Island, you get 2 hrs on the Island but apart from the ruined fort there is little to see and the majority of the Island is littered with years of flotsam and jetson and wind blown refuse from the mainland, there is a pleasant little beach where the boat anchors where you can swim and snorkel. The party I went with decided about an hour and a half was sufficient on the Island so the boatman took us around Sal Rei harbour before returning to the Karamboa. Please note most of the boat rips involve transferring from dingy to boat and would not be suitable for the less active.
While we were there was a lady injured on the sand buggies which belong to the hotel and I think there was some dispute re insurance. You should be aware also that the medical facilities on the Island even in the new clinic are very basic we heard one horror story that a lady with a badly broken arm had to survive on painkillers for 4 days till she could be flown home, so take care

We traveled early June the weather was more or less the same every day starts cloudy clears around lunch time and cloudy again most evenings. There is the constant breeze but we found this made the temperature comfortable but don’t be deceived the sun even with cloud is very powerful at this latitude and you will burn if you don’t take care, The wind did ease in the second week but in so doing it announced the arrival of mossies. Would we return? Certainly. if you are thinking of going go now before mass tourism takes over