Occidental Boa Vista Beach Review | Boa Vista All-Inclusive
Occidental Boa Vista Beach, Cape Verde — The Complete Resort Review
Resort Overview & Vibe
Occidental Boa Vista Beach is a beautiful 4-star all-inclusive resort run by the renowned Barceló Hotel Group. There's one detail returning travellers should know up front: this is the property formerly known as the Royal Horizon Boa Vista, rebranded after Barceló took it over — so if you stayed here under the old name, this is the same hotel, now under new management and gradually being refreshed.
Like its neighbour on this stretch of coast, it stands apart from the island's mega-resorts thanks to its architecture. Rather than towering concrete blocks, the resort is built as a cluster of charming low-rise terracotta villas in light, sandy, neutral tones that blend into the landscape. The feel is laid-back, peaceful and village-like — a relaxed escape that suits families and couples alike. Guests consistently praise the location, the friendly staff and the lively animation team, while noting it's an older property: spotlessly kept, but with some areas (the poolside especially) due for updates. Encouragingly, the management has signalled a renovation programme to refresh several areas while keeping the resort's character.
Location & The Spectacular Praia de Chaves
The resort enjoys a prime beachfront position, set on a slight rise directly overlooking the expansive white sands of Praia de Chaves — widely rated among the most beautiful beaches in the whole archipelago, with wind-sculpted dunes arcing along the shore.
For convenience it's hard to beat: the hotel is only about 3.5 km from Aristides Pereira International Airport, a taxi transfer of well under 15 minutes (some guests clock it at barely five), and around 10 km from the island capital, Sal Rei.
An insider tip worth knowing. Because the hotel uses its elevated position to maximise those ocean views, the grounds are laid out with cobbled pathways and changing levels. It's part of the charm — but it does make the resort tricky for guests with reduced mobility and for families pushing heavy strollers, so factor that in and consider requesting a room that minimises the slopes and steps. On the beach itself, take the usual Boa Vista precautions: the Atlantic here is lovely but can be windy, with a red flag flown when conditions are rough.
Rooms & The Terracotta Villas
Accommodation spans around 300 rooms, distributed among picturesque one- and two-storey villas painted in light neutral and terracotta tones that seamlessly suit the sandy surroundings — exactly what gives the resort its cosy, low-rise character. The villas are scattered through well-kept grounds, with cobbled paths winding between them.
Rooms are bright, airy and comfortable, with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV, a mini-fridge, a safe, and a private balcony or terrace. The strong recommendation here is to upgrade to the Sea View Double Rooms or Junior Suites: these offer genuinely incredible, uninterrupted vistas across the golden coastline, and given how central the views are to this resort's appeal, they're well worth the difference. Some rooms have been renovated and are notably spacious, so it's worth requesting a refreshed unit.
Pools, Spa & Relaxation
The Pools. There are two large outdoor saltwater pools, and the layout is genuinely clever. The main pool sits in the heart of the resort — the social, activity hub — and enjoys direct ocean views and spectacular sunsets. The second is deliberately set apart as a dedicated "quiet pool," complete with Balinese beds and no animation, for guests who just want to read and unwind in peace. Being able to choose your mood pool by pool is one of the resort's nicest touches. (Barceló's own materials sometimes reference a third saltwater pool, so the exact count may shift with the refurbishment — but the practical experience is a lively pool and a serene one.)
The Spa. The wellness centre covers the essentials for some downtime: massage cabins, a sauna, a steam bath, and a fitness room, with a menu running from massages and facials to body wraps and nail treatments. Some treatments carry an extra charge on top of the all-inclusive package.
Food & Drink: All-Inclusive Dining
Restaurants. Dining centres on the main buffet restaurant, Praia Blu (sometimes styled Le Praia Blue), serving international and local dishes that rotate daily, with table service and notably long opening hours that guests appreciate. For a more special evening there's the à la carte restaurant, La Tortuga — note that a reservation is required for this one, so book ahead on arrival. As with most all-inclusives here, the buffet selection can feel a little repetitive over a longer stay, but the quality and choice are generally well rated, with plenty of seafood.
Bars & Terraces. Drinks are covered at the pool bar, the beach snack bar and the lobby bar (there's a disco bar too for the evenings). The standout spot is the shaded terrace of the lobby bar: thanks to the hotel's elevated position, it offers superb panoramic views across the resort and down to the beach — the perfect perch for a sunset drink. A practical heads-up from recent guests: pack mosquito repellent, as they can be lively around the pools and beach at dusk.
Family Facilities & Active Leisure
Despite the serene atmosphere, this is a genuinely family-friendly resort with plenty going on.
Kids' Clubs & Pools. There's a dedicated children's pool (shallow and safe) and a kids' club catering to ages 4–12, plus a daily activity programme. Babysitting services are available for parents wanting an evening to themselves.
Sports & Excursions. Active guests are well served with on-site tennis courts, archery, darts, mini-golf, and daily animation such as aquagym and beach volleyball. For something more adventurous you can rent sand bikes to explore the dunes, and a range of excursions can be booked right outside the resort — quad biking in the Viana Desert, whale watching, and turtle watching (Boa Vista is one of the world's most important loggerhead nesting sites, with turtles typically coming ashore between roughly June and September).
The Boa Vista Showdown: Occidental vs. RIU Resorts
The choice on Boa Vista comes down to scale and atmosphere. Here's how to decide.
Occidental Boa Vista Beach is best for travellers who want a quieter, village-style, almost-boutique feel, spectacular elevated ocean views, and a relaxing atmosphere away from the big crowds. Its smaller scale, terracotta-villa charm and choice of a lively or a serene pool are the whole appeal — choose it if calm and character matter more than headline facilities.
The RIU resorts (Karamboa, Touareg, Palace Boavista) are best for travellers who want big-scale, 24-hour all-inclusive entertainment, large pool complexes, the shared Splash Water World waterpark (at Karamboa and Palace Boavista), and a livelier, late-night party scene. They're far bigger, with more dining venues and more going on — but busier and less intimate.
FAQs
What was Occidental Boa Vista Beach called before?
It was formerly known as the Royal Horizon Boa Vista, before being taken over and rebranded by the Barceló Hotel Group.
Is Occidental Boa Vista Beach good for families?
Absolutely. It features a dedicated, shallow children's pool, a kids' club for ages 4–12, family-friendly rooms and suites, and babysitting services, along with a daily activity programme.
How far is Occidental Boa Vista Beach from the airport?
It's exceptionally close — about 3.5 km from Aristides Pereira International Airport, a taxi transfer of well under 15 minutes.
Does Occidental Boa Vista Beach have an à la carte restaurant?
Yes — alongside the main Praia Blu buffet, there's the à la carte restaurant La Tortuga, for which a reservation is required.
Is the beach safe for swimming?
Praia de Chaves is stunning, but the Atlantic here can have moderate to strong waves and currents, and a red flag is flown when it's very windy. Always check the beach flag system and take care, especially on breezy days.