Hotel Riu Touareg Review | Boa Vista All-Inclusive Resort
Hotel Riu Touareg, Boa Vista — The Complete All-Inclusive Review
Resort Overview & Vibe
The Hotel Riu Touareg is a massive 5-star, 24-hour all-inclusive resort with 1,151 rooms — one of the largest hotels on Boa Vista. Its most distinctive feature is the architecture: built to resemble a sprawling desert sandcastle, complete with towers and ramparts rising from the dunes, it has the character of a small fortified town set in a green oasis of coconut palms and manicured lawns.
The defining practical feature, though, is its versatility. The resort is divided into distinct areas: lively Classic and Family & Kids zones, and a separate, tranquil adults-only section with its own facilities. That split is what makes Touareg unusual — couples wanting peace and families wanting a kids' club can both be happy at the same address without getting in each other's way. Opened in 2011, it's a well-established property that holds Travelife sustainability certification and runs a grey-water recycling system. The overall vibe is relaxed and spacious rather than party-driven; with no town within walking distance, it's a resort you settle into rather than a base for exploring.
Location & The Beach (Praia de Lacacão)
The Touareg sits in splendid isolation in the south of Boa Vista, directly on the pristine white sands of Praia de Lacacão. This is one of the longest, emptiest beaches in the archipelago — wonderful for hour-long shoreline walks, but genuinely remote: there's nothing within walking distance, so exploring the island means a taxi or hire car. The transfer from Aristides Pereira International Airport (roughly 20–25 km away) takes about 20–30 minutes.
A crucial safety note. The beach is spectacular but the Atlantic here is not a calm swimming sea. The surf can be powerful, with strong currents and sizeable waves even on windless days, and the beach is frequently flown under a red flag. The local advice is consistent: swim very close to shore, never alone, and never when the red flag is up. (It is not a shark-risk area — the hazard is the water itself.) Guests who want gentle ocean swimming are usually pointed toward an excursion to the sheltered Sal Rei Bay. For most of your time in the water, the resort's pools are the safer, calmer choice.
Rooms & The Exclusive Adults-Only Section
Accommodation is spread across the vast complex in several categories.
Double & Family Rooms. Rooms are spacious and practical, with air conditioning, free Wi-Fi (typically one device per person), a mini-fridge/minibar, satellite TV, a safe and a private balcony or terrace. The Family & Kids wing places its rooms close to the children's pools and playground — a sensible touch if you're travelling with little ones. (Worth noting: there are no lifts, so if stairs are a concern, request a ground-floor room.)
The Adults-Only Section. This is the standout selling point. Guests who book the exclusive adults-only wing — roughly 185 double rooms plus a set of suites, set right by the beach — gain access to their own quieter world: a private pool of around 250 m² (heated in winter) with an integrated jacuzzi and sun terrace, a dedicated swim-up bar (Tiniwan), and the premium à la carte gourmet restaurant Kulinarium, which is reserved for this section. It costs a little more than the standard areas, but for couples seeking calm within a big family resort, it's the package that makes Touareg work.
Pools, Splash & Family Facilities
The Pools. There are six pools in total, giving you plenty of room to spread out: a mix that includes saltwater pools, a smaller infinity pool overlooking the ocean (a guest favourite for sunset drinks from in-water sunbeds), the exclusive adults-only pool, and two children's pools that are heated through the winter months. Several pools have swim-up bars so you needn't dry off for a drink.
Kids' Facilities. Families are well looked after. The RiuLand kids' club runs daily, typically split into age groups (around 4–7 and 8–12), and there's an outdoor playground plus cots and high chairs on request. Babysitting can be arranged for a fee. Note that, unlike the two RIU hotels further north, the Touareg is self-contained and does not share the Splash Water World waterpark — that facility belongs to the Karamboa/Palace Boavista cluster.
Food & Drink: 24-Hour All-Inclusive Dining
The 24-hour all-inclusive format keeps snacks and drinks flowing around the clock, and the choice is wide.
Buffet & À La Carte. The main buffet is Santo Antão, an international and Cape Verdean spread with live show-cooking stations for breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus themed buffet evenings a couple of times a week; Las Dunas / Bereber handle poolside breakfast and lighter lunches. For evening variety, the reservation-only specialty restaurants include Kabuki (Asian), Da Marcello (Italian), Boavista (Cape Verdean specialities) and the poolside Bereber grill — and, for adults-only guests, the gourmet Kulinarium. Booking via the RIU app on arrival is the way to secure the popular slots. The dress code is relaxed, especially at the main buffet; men can wear shorts in most venues (Kulinarium being the smarter exception) but should wear a shirt or t-shirt with sleeves rather than a vest at dinner.
Bars. The line-up is generous: the Atlas lobby bar, the Lacacão lounge, the Mauritania swim-up bar, the Tiniwan adults-only swim-up bar, and the Mali karaoke bar, among others. As is standard across RIU, spirits are house-brand rather than premium label.
Entertainment, Activities & Renova Spa
Daytime & Sports. There's plenty to keep active guests busy: beach volleyball, two tennis courts (one floodlit), a multi-sports field, air-rifle shooting, shuffleboard, and watersports such as windsurfing, kayaking and bodyboarding off the beach. RIU's structured programmes run daily, including RiuFit group fitness classes and the RiuArt creative workshops.
Renova Spa & Gym. The wellness centre offers massages and treatments (chargeable), a Turkish bath / hammam, and an outdoor jacuzzi. The gym is compact but has what is arguably the best view on the property — floor-to-ceiling outlook over the white sand and the crashing surf — though kit is limited (think a treadmill and a handful of bikes and cross-trainers), so serious gym-goers should set expectations accordingly.
Nightlife. Evenings bring RIU's shows and live music, and the on-site Pacha discotheque (free entry, drinks included) provides the late-night option. The Touareg's nightlife is lower-key than party-focused Karamboa; some guests note the adult evening entertainment can be a little quiet, which is part of the trade-off for the resort's peaceful, isolated setting. On select nights, a shuttle bus can take guests to the RIU Party events at Karamboa.
The Boa Vista Showdown: Touareg vs. Karamboa vs. Palace Boavista
All three RIU hotels are on Boa Vista, but they suit very different holidays. Here's how to choose.
Riu Touareg is best for travellers seeking deep isolation, majestic sandcastle architecture, and a resort that neatly separates families from adults who want quiet. Its remote southern setting on Praia de Lacacão is the draw — and the catch, since you're committing to staying put.
Riu Karamboa is best for energetic couples and groups of friends: it's 100% adults-only, was renovated in 2022, and is famous for its lively pool parties and domed architecture.
Riu Palace Boavista is best for premium, elevated luxury with high-end family amenities (a kids' club) alongside exclusive adults-only swim-up villas, in a polished package right beside Karamboa.
The key practical difference: Karamboa and Palace Boavista sit side by side near the airport and share Splash Water World, the Pacha disco and the RIU Party, so picking one of those gets you both. The Touareg is a standalone world of its own, further south and more secluded.
FAQs
Is Riu Touareg adults-only? No — it welcomes families. But it features a dedicated, exclusive adults-only section with its own private pool, jacuzzi, swim-up bar and gourmet à la carte restaurant, which you book into specifically.
Is it safe to swim in the sea at Riu Touareg? Caution is essential. The sea here is notoriously rough, with strong currents and big waves, and is frequently red-flagged. Swim only close to shore, never alone, and never under a red flag — or head to calmer Sal Rei Bay on an excursion for gentle ocean swimming.
How far is Riu Touareg from the airport? It's roughly 20–25 km from Aristides Pereira International Airport, a transfer of about 20–30 minutes.
Does Riu Touareg provide beach towels? Yes. You're given towel cards at check-in that can be exchanged for clean beach and pool towels as often as you like during your stay.
Does Riu Touareg have a gym? Yes — a small but well-equipped gym with arguably the best view on the resort, looking straight out over the beach and the surf. Equipment is limited, so it suits a light workout more than a serious training session.
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Related reading: Riu Karamboa Review · The Best All-Inclusive Resorts in Boa Vista · Tipping & Money at Cape Verde Resorts · Sal vs Boa Vista for an All-Inclusive Holiday
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