Why choose an Apartment in São Vicente, over resorts
For many travelers, the islands of Sal and Boa Vista have become synonymous with luxurious resorts and all-inclusive packages. While these islands are undoubtedly beautiful, there is a hidden gem in the archipelago that offers a more authentic and enriching experience: São Vicente. Choosing an apartment in São Vicente over a resort in Sal or Boa Vista could be the best decision for your Cape Verdean adventure. Here’s why to choose for Boa Mindelo Apartments;
1. Authentic Cultural Experience
São Vicente, particularly its capital Mindelo, is the cultural heart of Cape Verde. Mindelo is known for its lively music scene, colorful colonial architecture, and the warm hospitality of its residents. By staying in an apartment, you immerse yourself in the local culture, unlike the more tourist-centered experience of a resort. You can explore the local markets, dine at traditional restaurants, and even catch live performances of Cape Verdean music genres like Morna and Coladeira. The vibrant street life of Mindelo, with its festivals and art, offers a genuine taste of Cape Verdean life that resorts simply can’t match.
All-inclusive resorts have become the go-to choice for many travelers seeking a stress-free escape. They offer a convenient, worry-free experience, but this convenience comes with a hidden cost: a barrier that keeps you from fully experiencing the country you’ve come so far to visit. By cocooning you within their walls, these resorts subtly use fear to discourage you from venturing beyond their gates. Whether it’s fear of the unknown, germs, scams, or language barriers, staying in can lead to a sanitized, homogenized experience that misses out on the true essence of your destination.
By opting for an apartment in São Vicente, you’re choosing a travel experience that pushes you out of your comfort zone and into a world of genuine exploration. You’ll face and overcome the fears that keep you confined within resort walls, gaining a deeper understanding of Cape Verde’s culture, landscapes, and people. The effort required to navigate a new environment, while challenging, is a key component of personal growth and will lead to a travel experience that is as enriching as it is unforgettable. So, break free from the all-inclusive bubble and embrace the adventure that awaits you in São Vicente.
2. Freedom and Flexibility
Staying in an apartment gives you the freedom to create your own schedule. Unlike resorts, where meal times and activities are often pre-arranged, an apartment allows you to live at your own pace. You can cook your own meals using fresh, local ingredients from the market or explore different eateries at your leisure. Whether you want to spend a day exploring the island’s rugged landscapes, lounging on secluded beaches, or mingling with locals at a café, you have the flexibility to do as you please.
All-inclusive resorts in particular are adept at using fear to keep you within their walls and not outside experiencing the country you just paid hundreds (or thousands) of dollars or euros to travel to. They make it easy to embrace your fear by offering everything so that you never have to venture out for anything. Fear of a danger, fear of germs, fear of scams, fear of locals, fear of language barriers, fear of a lack of Western comforts. By staying in, you are missing out on experiences that will stretch you beyond your comfort zone and make you a well-rounded person. Arranging for accommodation, food, transportation, and fun on your own by using a combination of sign language and pictionary-like drawings is admittedly not easy. But figuring stuff out on your own is one of those pesky little things that helps you grow as a person.
3. Affordability
While resorts in Sal and Boa Vista offer convenience, they come with a hefty price tag. Apartments in São Vicente are often more affordable, especially for longer stays. Exploring São Vicente’s local food scene is one of the highlights of visiting the island, offering a taste of Cape Verdean cuisine at wallet-friendly prices. You can also save money on dining by preparing your own meals and enjoy a more budget-friendly trip without sacrificing comfort. This cost-effectiveness means you can spend more on experiences, such as guided tours, local crafts, or boat trips to nearby islands, enriching your overall experience.
4. Explore Untouched Beauty
São Vicente is less touristy compared to Sal and Boa Vista, which means its natural beauty remains relatively untouched. The island offers stunning landscapes, from the dramatic peaks of Monte Verde to the serene beaches of Baía das Gatas. You can explore the island at your own pace, discovering hidden coves, hiking trails, and panoramic viewpoints. This sense of discovery and adventure is often missing in the more commercialized resort areas.
5. Connect with Locals
Staying in a local apartment rather than a resort allows you to connect more deeply with the people of São Vicente. The locals are known for their friendliness and are often eager to share their culture with visitors. Whether it’s through casual conversations at a café, attending a local festival, or even just shopping at the market, these interactions can offer a deeper understanding of Cape Verdean life. This connection is something that resort stays, often isolated from the local community, typically do not provide.
6. Sustainability
Opting for an apartment over a resort is a more sustainable choice. Resorts often require significant resources and can have a substantial environmental impact, from water usage to waste production. Staying in an apartment, particularly one operated by locals, supports the local economy directly and reduces your environmental footprint. You can also make more eco-friendly choices, like minimizing energy use or buying local products, contributing to the preservation of the island’s natural beauty.
The idea that resorts offer positive economic boons to local communities is a falsehood perpetuated by resort owners and local officials with something to gain. I am sorry to burst the proverbial bubble but the fact is that once a resort moves in, locals move out (and not always by choice). Are there instances where local regions as a whole have seen what might be considered benefits from resorts moving in? Absolutely. But those benefits are subjective and the downfalls outweigh the benefits in our opinion. The average local will tell you they wish the resorts had never popped up in the first place.
Conclusion
While the resorts of Sal and Boa Vista offer a convenient, all-inclusive vacation experience, choosing an apartment in São Vicente provides a richer, more authentic adventure. The island’s cultural vibrancy, affordability, and natural beauty make it an ideal destination for travelers looking to experience the true essence of Cape Verde. By staying in an apartment, you not only enjoy greater freedom and flexibility but also support the local community and contribute to sustainable tourism. For a truly memorable Cape Verdean getaway, São Vicente is the place to be. From the US or Europe it is easy to visit.
Something about the false bubble of sanitized culture and safe experiences created by all-inclusive resorts makes us feel less than alive and more than a little uncomfortable.