Investing on Sal Island

As you will have gathered, Sal has been the first of the Cape Verde Islands to be developed as a main tourist destination.

British investors that bought property on Sal in 2005-6 were at that time, able to get a good exchange rate from sterling to Euros rather than those that invested a number of years later when the exchange rate became less favourable.

A number of properties have been on the market as re-sales for years whilst more properties have been built in and around Santa Maria including those built in large resorts on the island such as Vila Verde, Sol Melia Tortuga and Dunas Beach Resort, Paradise Beach and Porto Antigo.

There are some distressed sales with sellers asking much less than the original purchase price. I am not sure who came up with the term 'distressed sale', as it doesn't sound good. There may be personal reasons for owners wanting or needing to sell their property cheaply and quickly,  personal or family circumstances may have changed over  the last 10yrs, with children growing up, jobs and income may have changed, there may be illness in family and people can't travel far or, other reasons that could make people decide they need to sell their holiday home.

There were also many Irish investors who were hoping that there would be direct flights from Ireland to Sal, but unfortunately although this did happen, it only lasted one winter season.

Flights are now coming in from many parts of Europe. There are a mixture of nationalities living and working on the island. There are more resorts being built which will lead to more tour operators setting up new contracts with hotels and resorts to bring in travellers to Sal from other main airports in other countries.            

The south west coast of Sal will be the main area of the island that will be developed over the next several years as more resorts are built. There are some fantastic resorts on the island.

Some of the older hotels closed, the Hotel Sobrado several years ago, since then the Sab Sab and Djadsal Holiday Club hotels as the buildings were in need of care and attention and no one with money to invest in them to keep them open. However, new investors have come in and demolished the Djadsal HC and they are rebuilding the resort, with a  new design, an aqua park and a new name. This plot of land on which it is situated on is next to the Sal Hilton Hotel which is itself, due to open in 2017 and will have the first Casino in Cape Verde. There is also the New Horizons development and much more happening with refurbishment and building extension of other hotels. There is more Spanish Investment being made also. Read more here:

APRIL-2016-SAL GETS 4 NEW HOTELS               

There are various management agencies on Sal, they may manage some condominiums on behalf of owners, they may also manage individual apartments situated in different blocks or resorts. You will need to make enquiries as to which Agency would be best for you.

There are many small to medium sized commercial properties to rent, a few of the larger ones are taken up by furniture suppliers in Santa Maria. A number of commercials remain empty but this could be for various reasons, such as not situated in the right area, not enough interest yet in renting a property for a business or office or perhaps some commercial property owners are asking too much for the rent.

Santa Maria beach and coastline is one of the best in the world, beautiful white sandy beaches. An abundance of marine life, water sports activities, fresh fish served at restaurants, the sound of children playing in the waves or musicians strumming their guitars will relax you immediately. It's all happening in and around Santa Maria.

Within this website and on pages you will find a number of links to services and businesses on Sal Island, these will provide you with further information about some developments, furniture suppliers, management and property services, resorts, water sports and other activities.