07 - "With these tips it is almost impossible that you will face surprises in Santa Maria."

Every country is different and that is why it is useful to know certain things before you are exposed to it. Below we list a number of things that may help you.

Power supply
The power supply on islands is a lot more complex than on the mainland. It can happen that the power goes out in part of the island. It sometimes also happens that the entire island cannot be supplied with electricity. In most cases, this issue is resolved within minutes. In exceptional cases it may take a half day. Fortunately, the complex, Santa Maria Residence, where Sal Serenity Suits is located, has its own power source. This means that as a guest of Sal Serenity Suits you will experience little to no problems with this problem.

Telephony
We strongly advise against using a telephone network from Europe, because it is very expensive. If you would like to use the internet on your phone, it is possible to buy a SIM card from CV Telecom (Cape Verdean provider). If you install this while retaining your own number, you can simply be reached by telephone via the internet (whatsapp, i-message, viber, etc.) and you can simply surf the internet with your phone. Of course the apartments of Sal Serenity Suits are equipped with Wi-Fi.

Fitness
In Santa Maria there are many ways to do sports. You can do exercises on the beach and of course you can also run on the roads, which are suitable for this, but if that is not enough for you, there is of course also the possibility to visit a fitness school. In Santa Maria, only one is located; the Hotel Gym of Oasis Atlantico Belorizonte.

Fishermen on the pier
Island life is almost always accompanied by a fisherman's identity. Likewise, in Cape Verde. The sea is rich in many different fish species. Around 6 AM, the fishermen arrive at the pier of Santa Maria with their catch. They trade their catch with the fishermen's wives. Then they sell it to the locals. Do you want to take a look at the impressive fish species that are sold? Then it is definitely recommended to walk along the pier before 12 PM.

Street Vendors
Just like in other touristic places around the world, in Santa Maria there are people who want to sell products to tourists. In general, the owners of the souvenir shops are not of Cape Verdean descent. They mostly have handmade products. They can sometimes be experienced as annoying and irritating, but they do no harm to anyone. Be clear in your communication and don't enter a store you don't want to.

Tap water
In Cape Verde it is strongly not recommended to drink tap water. The water has not been cleaned as is used in most Western countries. Drinking this water can lead to abdominal pain, cramps and diarrhea.

Sunday
Cape Verde is a Catholic country. For example, a large part of the population attends church every Sunday. In some parts of the world, this means that the shops and restaurants are closed. This is not the case in Cape Verde. They are aware of the value of tourism so in general, with exceptions, all shops and restaurants are open seven days a week.

Beach beds
To the right of the pier, the beach of Santa Maria is divided into zones. The zones only apply if you want to call on a beach bed. You can lie anywhere with your towel, but if you want to use a beach bed, you can rent it. There are always guys around to help you with the amount of sunbeds and umbrellas you need. They are also the people you pay for the use of the beach beds. They can be recognized by their work clothes. Further on the beach there are sunbeds that are linked to resorts. You cannot use these beach beds.

Locals & Tourists
Due to the location of the pier, the beach is divided into two. On the left side of the pier are mainly the locals and on the right side of the pier are mainly the tourists. If you like to mingle with the locals, they will be happy to welcome you.

Service

In Western countries we are used to good service. Everything goes quickly, punctually and it usually goes right the first time. In Cape Verde you can sometimes experience that differently. The people and employees take their time, are sometimes nonchalant and don't always know how to put a smile on their face. What are you doing about it? Communicate clearly and take everything with a grain of salt. After all, you're on vacation.

Salary staff
The staff in Cape Verde works for a minimum salary. Not the minimum salary that we know in the Western world, but a real minimum salary. On average, employees in restaurants, resorts and other shops earn between 200 EU and 300 EU per month. With this they can pay their rent, food and drink, but not much more. If you can afford it, the staff appreciates it if you give them a tip every now and then.

Waves
The beach of Santa Maria is beautiful. The sea too. With pleasant temperatures between 20 and 28 degrees it is sometimes tempting to spend more time in the water than on the sand. However, it is important that you always pay close attention to the waves. Sometimes they can be so high and wild that you can be surprised. Always keep an eye out. Especially with children.

Safety
Santa Maria is a very safe area. Rarely, if ever, does something happen that requires the police to intervene. Various travel organizations tell the tourists that it is unsafe and that it is important that they should only leave the resort accompanied by them. That has nothing to do with local security, but with the fear that they will lose customers to other providers in Santa Maria. However, just like everywhere in the world, it is important that you take good care of yourself. Do not walk around with flashy jewelry and large cash amounts.