Getting Around Boa Vista: Taxis, 4x4 Rentals & Tips

Getting Around Boa Vista: Taxis, 4x4 Rentals & Airport Transfers

Everything you need to know about airport transfers, taxis, shared minibuses, 4x4 rentals, and navigating desert tracks safely.

Boa Vista's transport landscape splits in two. A handful of paved and cobblestone roads connect Sal Rei, Rabil, and the airport, and everything else is rough dirt, gravel, or deep coastal sand. Which vehicle you choose decides how much of the island you actually get to see.

At a Glance: Quick Overview

Primary Transport Hub: Aristides Pereira International Airport (BVC).

Vehicle Class Required for Off-Roading: 4x4, including the Suzuki Jimny, pickups, quads, and buggies.

Local Currency for Transport: Euros (€) and Cape Verdean Escudos (CVE), in cash.

Driving Side: The right-hand side of the road.

Section 1: Airport Transfers (Aristides Pereira International Airport, BVC)

Your first journey on Boa Vista is the drive from the airport to your hotel, and the distances vary enormously depending on where you're staying.

Arrival Logistics & Airport Layout. BVC is a small, partly open-air airport. After passport control and baggage reclaim, you step straight out into the arrivals area, where tour operator representatives wait with signs and the taxi rank sits just outside. Have your accommodation address and booking confirmation handy.

Tour Operator Resort Shuttles. If you've booked a package holiday, your operator's shuttle will collect you in the arrivals hall. Transfer times differ sharply by resort zone: the resorts around Praia de Chaves are only a short drive from the airport, while the isolated southern zone at Lacacão takes considerably longer, roughly half an hour. Shuttles usually wait for all arriving passengers and make several hotel stops, so allow extra time.

Airport Taxis & Private Shuttles. Official taxis wait outside the terminal and are available without pre-booking. Fares are fixed rather than metered, with a short, inexpensive run into Sal Rei and higher fares out to the remote southern and eastern hotels. Always agree the fare before loading luggage. Pre-booking a private transfer online costs more than a walk-up taxi but guarantees a vehicle and a driver waiting for you, which is worth considering for late arrivals or large families.

Section 2: Taxis & Local Transfers

Taxis are the default way to get between your hotel, town, and dinner, but they can't take you everywhere.

Availability. Taxis wait outside the major resort entrances and around the central squares in Sal Rei. Your hotel reception can call one for you, and it's worth taking a driver's number if you like them, since arranging a return pickup is far easier than finding a taxi in a village.

Fares & Pricing Structure. Taxis do not use meters. Resorts often display fixed rate boards for common routes, and otherwise you negotiate and agree the fare before setting off. Night fares are higher than daytime fares. Payment is in cash, either Euros or Escudos, since cabs do not carry card readers. Carry small notes, as drivers rarely have change for large ones.

Hiring Taxis for Day Excursions. Many drivers will take you on a private island tour for an agreed day rate. This works well for the paved routes and the main villages, and it's a relaxed way to see the inhabited parts of the island. The limitation is the vehicle: standard 2WD taxis cannot handle deep sand tracks, so the desert, Santa Mónica, and the shipwreck are off the table unless the driver has a genuine 4x4. Confirm which stops are included before you agree a price.

Section 3: Renting a 4x4: Self-Driving Guide

If you want to reach the island's famous sights under your own steam, this is the only realistic option.

Why a 4x4 Is Essential. Santa Mónica Beach, the Viana Desert, and the Cabo Santa Maria shipwreck are all reached over sand and gravel tracks. A standard 2WD car will not make it, and attempting the drive risks getting bogged down far from help, with recovery costs falling entirely on you.

Popular Rental Models. The Suzuki Jimny is the classic island rental, small, tough, and capable on sand. Toyota Hilux pickups and compact SUVs are also common and offer more space for groups and luggage.

Requirements & Paperwork. Drivers need a valid national driving licence, and carrying an International Driving Permit alongside it is sensible, particularly if your licence isn't in the Latin alphabet. Minimum age requirements typically fall between 21 and 25 depending on the company and the vehicle, and a credit card security deposit is standard. Check what the deposit covers and when it's released.

Rental Costs & Insurance Coverage. This is the part worth reading slowly. Basic cover and a Collision Damage Waiver usually come with significant exclusions, and tyres, undercarriage, and glass are commonly excluded, which are exactly the parts that suffer on sand and gravel. Some contracts void cover entirely for off-road driving, which would make the whole point of renting a 4x4 uninsured. Read the terms, ask directly which tracks are permitted, and photograph the vehicle thoroughly before you drive away.

Fuel Stations. Fuel is available in Sal Rei, and stations are few, so fill up before heading into the interior rather than relying on finding one later. Check whether your vehicle takes diesel or unleaded, and carry cash, since card payment isn't always possible.

Section 4: Quad Bikes, Buggies & Off-Road Safaris

For most visitors, a guided desert safari is the best way to see the wild parts of the island.

Guided Tours vs. Independent Rentals. Guided quad and buggy safaris with established local operators handle navigation, timing, and safety, and the guides know which tracks are passable. They also know the rules: dune areas such as the Viana Desert are ecologically fragile, and driving off established tracks damages terrain that takes years to recover. If you rent independently, stay on existing tracks, never ride alone, and tell someone your route.

Single vs. Double Quads & Buggy Comfort. Single quads are more agile, while doubles let a passenger ride along, and buggies offer more stability and a little more protection from the elements. On deep sand, buggies and quads both handle far better than they do on cobblestone, where the ride gets rattly and uncomfortable over longer distances.

Essential Protective Gear. Fine desert dust gets everywhere. Bring a bandana or buff for your face, goggles or wraparound sunglasses for your eyes, and closed shoes rather than sandals. Sunscreen matters more than usual, since there is no shade at all out there.

Section 5: Shared Taxis (Alugueres) & Public Transport

The cheapest way to move around the island is also the most sociable.

Understanding the Aluguer System. Alugueres are shared minibuses and open-bed pickup trucks used by locals for everyday travel. There are no formal bus stops or timetables. You flag one down at the roadside, tell the driver where you're going, and pay on arrival.

Routes & Schedules. Alugueres connect Sal Rei with the inland villages, including Rabil, Povoação Velha, Bofarreira, and Fundo das Figueiras. They depart when full rather than on a schedule, which means waiting is part of the deal, and services thin out considerably in the late afternoon. Plan your return before you set off, since being stranded in a village after the last aluguer means an expensive taxi or a long wait.

Fare Cost & Etiquette. Fares are very low and paid in cash Escudos, ideally in small change. Space is tight and luggage space is minimal, so alugueres suit day trips rather than airport runs. Greet the driver and other passengers when you board, as it's the normal courtesy here.

Section 6: Road Conditions, Navigation & Driving Safety

Driving on Boa Vista is straightforward on the paved routes and demanding everywhere else.

Types of Roads. The paved and cobblestone roads link Sal Rei, Rabil, and the airport, and cobblestone surfaces are slower and bumpier than asphalt. Beyond that, the island is a network of unpaved dirt and gravel tracks and stretches of deep coastal sand, where progress is slow and route-finding is part of the job.

Navigation & GPS Mapping. Mobile coverage is patchy in the interior and along remote coastlines, so download offline maps before you leave town. Offline apps such as Maps.me or offline Google Maps work well, but be aware that mapped tracks don't always reflect current conditions on the ground.

Driving Safety Tips. On deep sand, keep steady momentum, avoid sudden braking or sharp steering, and don't stop on a soft stretch if you can help it. Watch for roaming livestock, since donkeys, goats, and cows wander onto roads and appear suddenly around bends and over rises. Before heading into remote areas, carry several litres of water per person, a charged phone and a power bank, and make sure someone knows your plans. Assistance in remote areas can take a long time to arrive, and there is no shade to wait in.

Section 7: Inter-Island Transfers: Ferries & Domestic Flights

Getting to another island is the least predictable part of travelling in Cape Verde, so build in buffer time.

Ferry Travel. Ferries connect the port at Sal Rei with Sal and Santiago. Crossings depend on sea conditions, and services are regularly delayed or cancelled when swells are high. Timetables change frequently, so check current schedules directly with the operator rather than relying on older information online, and be prepared for a rough crossing if the Atlantic is up.

Domestic Flights. Regional carriers link Boa Vista (BVC) with Sal (SID) and Praia (RAI) on the island of Santiago. Flights are short, but schedules are limited and cancellations happen. Never plan a same-day connection between a domestic flight and an international departure, and allow a buffer day around any inter-island leg.

Section 8: Summary: Which Transport Should You Choose?

Here's the short version, matched to how you want to spend your time.

Resort Taxi. Best for quick town trips and dinners out. Medium cost, high flexibility, and easy to arrange, but not off-road capable, so the desert sights are out of reach.

4x4 Rental. Best for independent explorers who want to set their own pace. High cost and full off-road capability, with the trade-off of insurance exclusions, deposits, and full responsibility for navigation and recovery.

Guided Buggy or Quad Safari. Best for the desert, the dunes, and the remote beaches. Medium to high cost on a fixed schedule, fully off-road capable, with a guide who knows the tracks and takes the liability.

Local Aluguer. Best for budget travel and cultural immersion between Sal Rei and the villages. Very low cost, low flexibility, no fixed timetable, and limited reach beyond the settlements.

A Final Tip for First-Timers. Most visitors get the best of the island by combining approaches: alugueres or taxis for town and villages, and one or two guided safaris for the desert and the wild coast. Renting a 4x4 makes sense if you're staying a week or more and want genuine independence, but only after you've read the insurance terms properly.

Continue Planning Your Trip

New to the island? Our First-Timer's Guide to Boa Vista covers entry rules, money, and packing. For wind, sea conditions, and the best months to visit, read the Boa Vista Weather, Wind & Ocean Guide. And to plan your days around the coast, see our Boa Vista Beach Guide.