Stella Maris Maio

08/12/2023

BestFly Cabo Verde, the domestic airline in Cape Verde, now has an additional aeroplane. This is good news as the company has been operating with only one plane recently. The new plane, an Embraer ERJ145 twin-engine jet, will help to improve the company’s services in Cape Verde. Seating 50 people, the new plane started operations on 4 December. In the middle of December there will also be another ATR72 twin turbo-prop plane added to the fleet. It is to be hoped that the unreliability of internal flights will now be over. The airline has expressed regret at the difficulties caused by one of its two planes becoming inoperative.

BestFly Cabo Verde operates internal flights enabling visitors to connect with the other islands from the four international airports on Boa Vista, Sal, Santiago (Praia for flights to Maio) and São Vicente.

09/11/2023

The winter months in Cape Verde are the peak season for visitors. The most popular time to visit is from the end of October through to May. If you are planning to island hop then it is a good idea to book your domestic travel and your accommodation as early as possible. We have information from two or three sources, that internal flights and accommodation are getting booked up quickly this winter. This, of course, is great news for the Cape Verde economy, which was so badly hit by the covid pandemic. However, for people who prefer to do everything at the last minute, this is could be problematic.

If you find the Bestfly Cabo Verde flights are booked up on the dates you want, you may consider trying a ferry, by visiting CVInterihas the ferry operators. There is information on both internal flights and ferries on our domestic travel page. International flights are available to Boa Vista, Sal, Santiago (Praia) and São Vicente. From those islands you can then connect to the other islands where there is no international airport.

Discover Cape Verde has an agent on the ground in Cape Verde who can assist with booking internal travel if you have problems. Just send them a message and they can put you in touch with them. Why not escape the cold and spent some time during winter in Cape Verde?

27/10/2023

The Prime Minister of Cape Verde, Ulisses Correia e Silva, has announced that the government will introduce compulsory flights between islands in 2024. The intention of this measure is to increase the frequency and regularity of flights to islands currently receiving few flights. This includes the islands of Maio and São Nicolau. The Prime Minister said that air and sea travel between the islands was a great concern to the government.

The Prime Minister confirmed that the purchase of two ships to improve the maritime connections is in progress. He also stated that there would be new port terminals on the islands of Maio, Sal, São Nicolau, Fogo, Boa Vista and also in Praia (on Santiago). This will improve the conditions for ferry passengers.

It is good news that the government is apparently now taking the issue of internal transport seriously. It is currently quite difficult for residents and visitors to move around the country, especially where there are unreliable or infrequent flights between islands.
stella-maris-maio.com/flights-between-islands-improvements/

20/10/2023

Cape Verdean singer Mayra Andrade is performing in London in November. She will be taking part in the London Jazz Festival on 16 and 17 November 2023. The performances will be held at the Union Chapel, Compton Terrace, N1 2UN. For this festival the singer will be performing her new guitar and vocal presentation ‘reEncanto’. Mayra Andrade sings in Cape Verdean Creole, Portuguese and English. Her music combines African rhythms with the Portuguese Fado, whilst also including moana, pop, jazz, reggae and Bossa nova. She states that it is ‘music that reflected my life’. Although born in Cuba, she moved to the island of Santiago in Cape Verde when just a few days old. She is often considered to be one of the best talents to come from Cape Verde. stella-maris-maio.com/mayra-andrade-at-the-london-jazz-festival/

08/10/2023

This picture is of the main beach in Vila do Maio (also known as Porto Inglês). Maio is one of the quietest of the nine inhabited islands. It is ideal for that peaceful, relaxing holiday. It has fantastic beaches and very often those beaches will be almost deserted. Maio should be on the itinerary of anyone visiting Cape Verde. The island is just a 15 minute flight from the capital city, Praia (Santiago island), or 2.5 hours by ferry. www.stella-maris-maio.com/vila-do-maio-beach-maio

11/09/2023

Visitors, together with the local children, enjoy the lovely Bitxa Rotxa beach in Porto Inglês (Vila do Maio) on the island of Maio. Who wouldn't want to play there if you had such a lovely beach on your doorstep? These children are enjoying themselves and this is clear from their lovely smiles.
stella-maris-maio.com/children-on-the-beach-in-vila-do-maio/

17/08/2023

The Covid pandemic had an enormous effect on the flights into and out of Cape Verde and consequently on tourism. Significant routes that have not yet been reinstated are the connections with South America. Now Cabo Verde Airlines, the national carrier, is looking to re-start flights to Brazil. Prior to Covid there were flights between Cape Verde and Fortaleza, Natal, Recife, Salvador and Porto Alegre. The ambition was that Cape Verde would be a hub between Europe, Brazil and the African mainland.

After some difficult times for the airline, the Cape Verdean government now has control of the company and has sought to reinvigorate it. The airline recently purchased a Boeing 737 MAX plane and this will be a useful if these Brazilian routes are re-established. It will also help the company to expand its links with European cities. Currently they only fly to Paris and Lisbon. Within Cape Verde, the airline currently flies in and out of Praia (on Santiago), Sal and São Vicente.
stella-maris-maio.com/flights-to-brazil-returning

14/06/2023

On 31 May we reported that Transavia was commencing flights from Paris to both Praia (Santiago) and São Vicente. These routes start at the end of October and are now available to book on the Transavia website. The prices look good with return fares to Praia from around €300, depending on the dates. This makes travel to the islands of Santiago and Maio particularly easy at an attractive price.

The Transavia prices to São Vicente are less attractive, but having a direct route is an advantage for people visiting São Vicente and Santo Antão.

https://stella-maris-maio.com/transavia-from-paris-to-cape-verde/

07/06/2023

Carlos Santos, Minister of Tourism and Transport, has announced the government’s wish for more integrated domestic transport. This will involve air, sea and land transport. The Minister stated that ‘The aim is to find ways and finding solutions for greater integration of the three modes of transport’. A more integrated transport system will benefit residents and tourists, making it easier to move around islands and between the islands. Domestic travel has been unreliable and so any move to improve things is welcome. Mr Santos stated that steps had already been taken to improve the efficiency of domestic air travel. Further reviews are in progress around the legislation concerning air travel.

Whilst a large proportion of tourists visit either Sal or Boa Vista, there are great touristic opportunities on all of the other islands. Having an efficient, integrated domestic transport system would make it much easier for people to visit the other islands. Tourism has increased significantly since the Covid pandemic. In 2022 it was reported by the Minister that there were 835,000 tourists in 2022. That number exceeds the pre-pandemic levels.

https://stella-maris-maio.com/integrated-domestic-transport/

01/06/2023

In recent months a number of additional flights to Cape Verde have been announced. Now we can report that Transavia, the French airline, is starting flights from Paris Orly to Praia (on Santiago) and São Vicente. These flights will start at the end of October 2023. The Praia flight and will be on Monday and Friday. The São Vicente flights will be on Sunday.

Luxair recently announced more flights to Sal and Boa Vista, plus new routes to Praia and São Vicente. These changes will start at the end of 2023. Currently Luxair flies weekly to both Sal and Boa Vista.

Cabo Verde Airlines have reported the resumption of flights between Praia and Bissau (Guinea-Bissau). Currently the airline only connects Cape Verde with Lisbon and Paris.

This continued increase in flights is good for the tourist industry in Cape Verde. More flights to Praia makes travel to Maio easier.

27/04/2023

World Earth Day in Cape Verde was observed on the island of Maio. A team of volunteers got together on World Earth Day 2023 (Saturday 22 April) to start a clean up of the valley that runs down to the Cadjetinha (Kadjetinha) Beach. The team comprised people from the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the Maio City Council (Câmara) together with residents of Stella Maris and the local area. It is understood that there is more to do, but this was an excellent start.

This valley had become a place where rubbish had been dumped over a number of years. This initiative to clean up the valley is to be warmly welcomed. Rubbish in an area like this not only becomes an eyesore, but it can also end up in the ocean.

Most of the plastic that ends up in our oceans comes from the land, either through the dumping of litter, industrial sources, sewer outfalls, and illegal dumping or fly-tipping. It is reported that at least 14m tonnes of plastic enter the oceans annually. This, together with other items such as fishing nets cause untold harm to marine life.

World Earth Day has been celebrated since 1970 and is held annually. The aim is to ensure that environmental issues are promoted. It started because of the increasing concerns over pollution and biodiversity.
https://stella-maris-maio.com/world-earth-day-cape-verde/

30/01/2023

30/01/2023

26/01/2023

New legislation for domestic flights
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The Government has passed legislation that is intended to improve the reliability and regularity of the domestic flights within Cape Verde

20/01/2023

Biodiversity tourism extension
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The Prime Minister of Cape Verde has announced plans to extend the Biodiversity Tourism Integration Project to more Cape Verde islands.

18/11/2022

Sunset from Maio
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The sun setting over Santiago. When there is a neighbouring island to the west, the sunset is enhanced, as in this Maio sunset.

16/11/2022

Tourist Tax to increase
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The Cape Verde government recently announced an increase in Tourist Tax. That increase will come into effect in January 2023.

04/11/2022

Bicycles for children update

It is hoped that about 30 bicycles for children in Cape Verde, plus some cycling gear will be shipped out soon.

21/10/2022

Internal travel reliability and frequency
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Internal travel in Cape Verde lacks reliability and frequency. This is a concern on the island of Maio, even with the new port facilities.

13/10/2022

Smoking ban comes into force soon
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In Cape Verde a new smoking ban comes into force on 23 October 2022. Smoking will be banned in restaurants, bars, clubs and public buildings

07/10/2022

Maio sunset over the pier
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This picture was taken on the main beach (Bitxe Rotxa) in Vila do Maio. Maio island has a lot of lovely beaches.

30/09/2022

Bicycles for Cape Verde children
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A project called Spokes and Dreams is to provide bicycles for children in Cape Verde so that they can use them to get to school.

19/09/2022

Covid-19 rules have been lifted
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The Government of Cape Verde announced that the Covid-19 rules have been lifted. This is from Thursday 15 September 2022.

08/09/2022

First RoRo ferry arrives at Maio
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Excitement as the first RoRo (roll-on-roll-off) ferry arrived at the new Maio port. It was an historic occasion for the island.

02/09/2022

Heavy rain in Cape Verde
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Heavy rain in Cape Verde is rare. But not this week; the islands, including Sal, Santo Antão and Boa Vista have seen some very heavy rain.