Boa Vista: Buggy Tour to Santa Monica Beach & Desert Ruins

Summary

Buggy adventure through Boa Vista’s wild south coast dunes

You’ll feel every bump and breeze on this Boa Vista buggy tour — from windswept Praia de Chaves past ancient chimneys, across endless Santa Monica Beach, to cold drinks at Boca Beach and quiet moments among Curral Velho’s ruins. Expect laughter, sun on your face, and stories you’ll want to retell long after you’re home.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I remember is the crunch of sand under our boots as we clambered into these chunky buggies, helmets a bit too big and the sun already sharp over Praia de Chaves. There was this old chimney sticking up near the coast — our guide, Paulo, waved at it like an old friend and said something about pottery and how his grandmother used to talk about it. I didn’t catch every word (my Portuguese is... not great), but you could tell it meant something. The air smelled salty, hot, with a little hint of dust that stuck in your throat if you laughed too hard.

We zigzagged past dunes where the sand looked almost gold in the morning light. Morro de Areia was quieter than I expected — just wind and the occasional shout from someone in our group who hit a bump too fast. At Verandinha Beach, there’s this natural arch that looks like it’s been carved by giants. Paulo pointed out crabs scuttling sideways (I tried to get a photo; failed). Then came Santa Monica Beach — honestly, it goes on forever. Over 20km of empty white sand and barely anyone else around. We just stood there for a while, letting the wind whip around us. I still think about that view sometimes when I’m stuck in city traffic.

Boca Beach came next — we got cold drinks here, sitting on plastic chairs that wobbled in the sand while Paulo told us stories about fishermen who used to camp here before tourism really took off. The last stretch was bumpier than I thought: we rattled past more dunes until these half-buried ruins appeared at Curral Velho. It felt lonely out there, but peaceful too. Fonte Vicente was our final stop; by then my hair was full of sand and my cheeks hurt from grinning so much. Not sure if it was the ride or just being somewhere so different.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore South Coast Beaches and Dunes

• Drive towards Praia de Chaves
• Pass chimney near the coast
• Stop at sandy dunes for photos
• Pass through Morro de Areia
• Visit Praia de Verandinha natural arch
• Reach Santa Monica Beach
• Stop at Boca Beach for refreshment
• Visit sandy dunes and Ruins of Curral Velho
• Final stop at Fonte Vicente

Top questions

How long does the Boa Vista buggy tour last?

The buggy tour lasts approximately 4 hours from pickup to drop-off.

Is hotel pickup included for the buggy tour?

Yes, pickup and drop-off are included with your booking.

What beaches do we visit during the tour?

You’ll visit Praia de Chaves, Praia de Verandinha, Santa Monica Beach (Praia de Curralinho), Boca Beach, and see Fonte Vicente.

Are helmets provided on the buggy tour?

Yes, helmets and protective glasses are provided for all participants.

Is bottled water included?

Bottled water is included during your buggy adventure.

Are there any stops for refreshments?

You’ll have a complimentary refreshment stop at Boca Beach during the tour.

Is this tour suitable for children or infants?

Specialized infant seats are available; check ahead when booking for details.

Can pregnant travelers join this buggy tour?

This tour isn’t recommended for pregnant travelers due to terrain conditions.

Will we see any historical sites or ruins?

The itinerary includes a visit to the Ruins of Curral Velho along with other coastal highlights.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off anywhere in Boa Vista, all fuel costs covered so you don’t need to worry about refilling mid-ride, safety gear like helmets and glasses handed out before you start bouncing over dunes, plus bottled water throughout — with a stop at Boca Beach for a cold drink before heading back dusty but happy.