Full-Day Santo Antão Tour: Crater, Valleys & Lunch Included

The crater's tropical microclimate and the Paul Valley's local tea are things most island tours skip.

A private full-day tour of Santo Antão that covers the island's main landmarks: Cova crater in the natural park, Delgadinho viewpoint, the colonial town of Ribeira Grande, and Paul Valley with a small hike and contact with local inhabitants. The tour includes pickup from your accommodation, lunch at a local restaurant, and coffee or tea. Your guide speaks English, Spanish, Portuguese or Italian and tailors the day to what you want to see.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Santo Antão highlights with lunch

• Start with coffee or tea in Mindelo, Porto Novo or Ribeira Grande
• Visit Cova Crater and enjoy the view
• See Delgadinho viewpoint over Ribeira Grande and Ribeira de Torre Valleys
• Have lunch in an authentic local restaurant
• Explore a gracious old town with main square and harbour
• Hike in Paul Valley, meet locals, and taste local tea, coffee, and grogue

The experience

What makes this tour different is that it starts where you are. Your guide picks you up from your hotel in Mindelo, Porto Novo or Ribeira Grande and begins the day with fresh coffee or tea while you plan together what matters most to you. That flexibility (building the route around your interests rather than a fixed schedule) shapes everything that follows.

The day moves through four distinct stops. Cova crater sits in the eastcentral part of the island as part of the natural park. The high rainfall there creates a tropical microclimate inside the crater, and the flora and fauna are what draw people to this spot. Delgadinho is a viewpoint with panoramic views down to Ribeira Grande Valley and Ribeira de Torre Valley. Ribeira Grande itself is one of Cape Verde's oldest settlements, with a large main square, town hall and working harbour. Lunch happens at an authentic local restaurant with staff who know the food they're serving.

The final stop is Paul Valley, which the operator calls the most beautiful valley in Cape Verde. You'll do a small hike here. Nothing strenuous, just enough to settle lunch and move through the landscape. The real point is contact with local people: you'll drink local tea and coffee with them, and if you want, taste grogue, the local liquor. The whole tour runs seven to eight hours from start to finish.

What’s included

• Private transportation from your hotel.
• lunch at a local restaurant.
• fresh coffee and tea at the start.
• all fees and taxes.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (16 to 80 years) · Child (10 to 15 years): free · Infant (3 to 9 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, Italian and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 9 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearby

Operated by CapeVerdeTours

Is this one for you?The tour picks you up from wherever you're staying in Mindelo, Porto Novo or Ribeira Grande, so you don't need a car or local knowledge to reach the island's highlights. Because it's private, your guide adjusts the route and timing to fit what you want to see.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, Italian and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (10 to 15 years): free; Infant (3 to 9 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Cova crater like, and why is it worth the visit?

Cova crater lies in the eastcentral part of Santo Antão within the natural park. High rainfall creates a tropical microclimate inside the crater, which supports an extraordinary variety of flora and fauna you won't see elsewhere on the island.

How much walking is involved in Paul Valley?

Paul Valley includes a small hike, designed to let lunch settle and let you move through the landscape at an easy pace while meeting local inhabitants. It's suitable for all physical fitness levels.

Can I customize what we see on the tour?

Yes. The day starts with coffee or tea at your pickup location, and your guide makes a final plan based on your needs and wishes before you set out.