Santo Antão island tour: Corda road, Paúl valley & viewpoints

Six hours crossing aridity and forest on the island's most famous road

A guided car tour of Santo Antão island following the Corda road, with stops at volcanic viewpoints, coastal villages and the agricultural Paúl valley. The route passes through Água das Caldeiras, Ribeira Grande, Ponta do Sol and Paúl over six to seven hours, including lunch and a live guide in English, Portuguese or French. Ferry arrival at Porto Novo starts the day. Timing at each stop adjusts for weather.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Santo Antão Island by car

• Arrive by ferry at Porto Novo
• Drive through Corda road with stops
• Visit Delgadinho viewpoint
• Explore Ribeira Grande city
• Visit Ponta do Sol fishing village
• Discover Paúl valley vegetation

The experience

The Corda road cuts across Santo Antão in a way no other route does. It climbs from the arid south side of the island into the forested heights, then descends to the green north. You arrive by ferry at Porto Novo and are driven through this contrast in a single arc. The road itself is the spine of the day: it passes Cova Crater, a volcano crater now farmed as an agricultural field, and stops at Delgadinho, a viewpoint that opens onto the Ribeira Grande Valley and Ribeira de Torre Valley in one panorama.

Ribeira Grande, the first city founded on Santo Antão, sits on the route before you reach Ponta do Sol, a small fishing village where the dock draws the eye. The day ends in Paúl valley, called the garden of Cape Verde for its sugar cane, banana, yam and other crops that thrive in the green. Lunch is included, and the guide speaks English, Portuguese or French. The time spent at each stop can shift if weather changes the conditions.

What’s included

• Transport by car throughout the tour.
• lunch.
• a live guide in English, Portuguese or French.
• pickup at Porto Novo ferry arrival.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 16 Mar 2027

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 11 · max 8 per booking

Live guideEnglish, French and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 3 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended with back problems

Operated by ATLANTUR, viagens e turismo,Lda

Is this one for you?The tour runs six to seven hours of mostly driving with stops to walk and look, so it suits travelers who are comfortable spending a morning and early afternoon in a vehicle. The Corda road itself is the main event: the stops break up the drive but the route and the views from it are what the day is built around.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

3 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, French and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What is the Cova Crater stop like on this tour?

Cova Crater is a volcano crater that has been converted into an agricultural field. You see it as a stop along the Corda road where the landscape shows how the land is farmed in the crater's basin.

How much walking is involved on this Santo Antão tour?

The tour is primarily a car journey with stops at viewpoints and villages. Most of the day is spent driving the Corda road, with time to walk and look at each location before returning to the vehicle.

What is Paúl valley known for?

Paúl valley is known as the garden of Cape Verde because of its luxuriant green vegetation and crops. You'll see sugar cane, banana, yam and other exotic trees and plants growing there.

What happens if weather changes during the day?

The time spent at each attraction is estimated and can be adjusted according to weather conditions, so the itinerary stays flexible if conditions shift.