How to Get to Ponta do Sol, Santo Antão: Ferry, Roads & Transfers

There is no airport on Santo Antão — and that is part of its charm. Every walker reaching our guesthouse in Ponta do Sol, Santo Antão arrives the same scenic way: across the water from São Vicente, then up and over the island's volcanic spine. This short guide covers the full route, with realistic travel times for planning your hiking trip.

Step 1: fly to São Vicente

Most international travellers fly into São Pedro Airport (VXE) on São Vicente, usually via Lisbon or Praia. Mindelo, the island's cultural capital, is a short taxi or aluguer ride from the airport — a good place to spend a night if your ferry connection is early the next morning.

Step 2: the ferry from Mindelo to Porto Novo

Passenger ferries cross the canal between Mindelo and Porto Novo, Santo Antão in roughly an hour, running most days in the morning and afternoon. The crossing can be bouncy when the trade winds are strong — seasickness tablets are cheap insurance, and sailings are occasionally postponed in rough weather, so keep your first day flexible. Sit on the upper deck on the way over: the first view of Santo Antão's cliffs rising out of the Atlantic is one of the great arrivals in Cape Verde.

Step 3: Porto Novo to Ponta do Sol by road

Two mountain roads link Porto Novo to the north coast, and both are attractions in their own right:

• The old crater road via Cova — slower, spectacular, crossing the crater rim before dropping to the ocean at Ponta do Sol; allow around 2–2.5 hours
• The coast road via Ribeira Grande — faster and equally dramatic, hugging the northeast cliffs; allow roughly 1.5–2 hours

Shared minibuses (aluguers) cover both routes cheaply, and private transfers can be arranged from Porto Novo. If you arrive late, it is wiser to overnight in Porto Novo or Ribeira Grande and complete the journey in daylight — the mountain roads deserve to be seen.

When to travel

November to May is the sweet season: dry paths, comfortable temperatures and the most reliable ferry sailings. August to October brings the rains — the island turns brilliantly green, which is beautiful from the terrace but means muddier trails.

Arriving at the guesthouse

Tell us your ferry time when you book and we will coordinate your arrival — check-in is from 14:00 and flexible when agreed in advance. From the guesthouse, the coastal path to Fontainhas starts in the village, and the Cova to Paul hike trailhead is about an hour's drive up the crater road.

Ready to plan the trip? Check availability & book direct — send your dates and we will confirm with a personal reply within 24 hours.