"RIU Touareg Boa Vista Cape Verde"
We (3 ladies) booked this hotel last minute, having never been to Cape Verde. TUI advised at booking the hotel was recently completely refurbished & guests who had been previously said it was basically a completely new hotel. This was very evident from the lovely décor, furnishings & immaculate gardens. Approx 25mins from the (tiny) airport, transfers drop off first to the RIU Palace & RIU Karamboa (near the airport). The hotel is across a large complex of 2-storey buildings, there are NO lifts, so if you have the slightest of mobility issues, ensure you book a ground floor room (porters will bring your main luggage on arrival & departure (booked at reception)). There are 3 pool areas, main large pool with swim-up bar, snack bar & pool entertainment/activities; an adults only pool with bar; + an infinity pool with bar & snack-bar. Plenty of sun-loungers & shades, pool towel huts only open between set times. Entire hotel sits on the beach front, there are planted palm tree areas to provide shade. Swimming in the sea is not recommended, there is always a red flag flying, there is no hospital on Boa Vista, only a clinic, so any significant injuries require airlift to mainland. I am a sea swimmer and I did swim at 2 beaches, the water is shallow to a point, clear & warm, but it's the break of the waves that is quite severe, I got slammed a couple of times "getting in & out", you need to be a confident & competent swimmer. Beach is beautiful sand, a little sharp near the hotel (many broken shells), and watch out for donkey/pony poop! There are wild donkeys & ponies on the island, these are lovely, but they do wander freely, so poop freely. Food was lovely, there's 1x main restaurant; 2 snack bars, (restaurant near main pool doubles up for snacks when main one is closed); + ice-cream parlour. There are 4 a la carte restaurants, Italian, Gourmet, Steak House, Asian, all buffet style, you can go once to each restaurant, (booking required). We recommend the Sports Bar, American style food, no need to book. Cocktails; wines & beer via dispensers at bars, staff will make other drinks. There is entertainment every evening; the staff are wonderful. Part of the all inclusive every Friday there is transport to the big Neon or White party nights at the Karamboa, these are great fun. The clientele is totally mixed, all ages, all countries. Weather was 26-30° with 1 full day of rain (Oct is rainy season).
