Santa Maria

Travel Guide

A sandy beach with palm trees and a clear blue sky.
A pier extending into turquoise waters with people walking on it and a beach in the background.
A beach with clear shallow waters, a rocky shoreline, and a building with a red roof and white umbrellas in the background.
A boat on turquoise water with a beach and buildings in the background.
A row of small boats docked at a pier with people standing on them.
Hotel Riu Palace Santa Maria - All Inclusive

Hotel Riu Palace Santa Maria - All Inclusive

5 out of 5
Cabocan Lote E2, Santa Maria Sal Cape Verde
$325 nightly
The price is $379 total per night from Oct 1 to Oct 2
$379 total
Oct 1 - Oct 2
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this luxury hotel in Sal. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and 5 outdoor pools. Popular attractions Santa Maria Beach and Ponta Preta are located ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (99 reviews)
"Wish there was a 3.5 rating to give - but right that given 3 rather than 4. It was a nice resort, really nice, but compared to other 5 stars previously, not quite worth the price tag. Maybe expecting too much from beech resort 5 star but don't think so."

Reviewed on Aug 16, 2026

Hotel Riu Palace Santa Maria - All Inclusive
Hotel Dunas de Sal

Hotel Dunas de Sal

4 out of 5
Ponta Preta, Santa Maria Sal
$130 nightly
The price is $156 total per night from Sep 29 to Sep 30
$156 total
Sep 29 - Sep 30
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this spa hotel in Sal. Enjoy free breakfast, free parking, and a full-service spa. Popular attractions Santa Maria Beach and Santa Maria Town ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (92 reviews)
"Great location, clean and tidy, and the breakfast had a good selection. The air conditioner was quiet and the “do not disturb/clean room” door handle tag was a cute touch."

Reviewed on Jun 18, 2026

Hotel Dunas de Sal
Hilton Cabo Verde Sal Resort

Hilton Cabo Verde Sal Resort

5 out of 5
Avenida dos Hoteis CP230 Sal
$176 nightly
The price is $208 total per night from Oct 11 to Oct 12
$208 total
Oct 11 - Oct 12
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this luxury resort in Sal. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
Hilton Cabo Verde Sal Resort
See all 313 properties in Santa Maria
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Branco Suites

Branco Suites

4.5 out of 5
Santa Maria Sal Sal
Book a stay at this luxury aparthotel in Sal. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and concierge services. Popular attractions Santa Maria Beach and Santa Maria Town ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (38 reviews)
"Very clean , organized"

Reviewed on Sep 20, 2026

Branco Suites
Villa Ao Mar

Villa Ao Mar

3.5 out of 5
Pier Beach, Santa Maria Sal
Book a stay at this beach apartment in Sal. Enjoy free parking, a beach locale, and a marina. Popular attractions Santa Maria Beach and Santa Maria Town Square ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (47 reviews)
"everything was amazing, I will be back !! the host, the security, the house keeper, great people !!"

Reviewed on Sep 23, 2026

Villa Ao Mar
Porto Antigo Hotel Residence

Porto Antigo Hotel Residence

3.5 out of 5
Rua 15 Agosto Sal
Book a stay at this beach aparthotel in Sal. Enjoy free parking, a full-service spa, and 2 restaurants. Popular attractions Santa Maria Beach and Santa Maria ...
Porto Antigo Hotel Residence
See all properties in Santa Maria
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Stay near popular Santa Maria attractions

Santa Maria Beach

9.2/10 (241 reviews)
Why not spend a carefree afternoon at Santa Maria Beach during your travels in Santa Maria? You can enjoy the bars while in the area.
See properties

Things to do

3-hour Catamaran Adventure on the waters of Sal Island

3-hour Catamaran Adventure on the waters of Sal Island

$62
per adult
3-hour Catamaran Adventure on the waters of Sal Island
Santa Maria: Salt Mine, Natural Pool, and Shark Bay Tour

Santa Maria: Salt Mine, Natural Pool, and Shark Bay Tour

$34
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Santa Maria: Salt Mine, Natural Pool, and Shark Bay Tour
From Sal Island: Blu eye, Salt lake, Lemon Sharks & Palmeira

From Sal Island: Blu eye, Salt lake, Lemon Sharks & Palmeira

$34
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
From Sal Island: Blu eye, Salt lake, Lemon Sharks & Palmeira
Picture 7 for Activity Santa Maria: Snorkeling Boat Tour

Santa Maria: Snorkeling Boat Tour

$44
per adult
Santa Maria: Snorkeling Boat Tour
Santa Maria: Guided Snorkeling Shipwreck and Reef Tour

Santa Maria: Guided Snorkeling and Reef Tour

$49
per adult
Santa Maria: Guided Snorkeling and Reef Tour
Sal: All-Inclusive Salt Lake, Blue Eye and Shark Bay Tour

Sal Island: All-Inclusive Shark Bay, Salt Lake & Blue Eye

$52
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Sal Island: All-Inclusive Shark Bay, Salt Lake & Blue Eye
See all activities in Santa Maria

Frequently asked questions

Is Santa Maria worth visiting?
Santa Maria is worth visiting for its relaxing Santa Maria Beach and the central Santa Maria Town Square. Travelers can also explore the local dining scene, with options for delicious Latin American and Italian cuisine, making it a great spot for food lovers.
When is the best time to visit Santa Maria?
The best time to visit Santa Maria is from January through May, when the weather is typically pleasant for exploring. For fewer crowds and better value, the quieter months of September through October are a good bet, offering a warmer climate for travelers.
What is Santa Maria known for?
Santa Maria is known for its key landmarks, including the popular Santa Maria Beach and Santa Maria Town Square. Travelers can also visit Santa Maria Pier, and the area offers a Latin American food culture to explore.
What is a good itinerary length for Santa Maria?
A good itinerary length for Santa Maria is two to three days to explore Santa Maria Beach, Santa Maria Town Square, and Santa Maria Pier. An extended stay of four to five days allows for a catamaran adventure, a tour of Sal Island with a lobster lunch, or even a full-day 4x4 island tour to Boa Vista. See Santa Maria Activities.
How do I plan a trip to Santa Maria?
To plan your trip to Santa Maria, search Expedia for hotels and book flights and rental cars early. Consider activities like a 3-hour Catamaran Adventure on the waters of Sal Island or a Boa Vista Full Day 4x4 Island Tour. For outdoor attractions such as Santa Maria Beach, Santa Maria Town Square, and Santa Maria Pier, plan your visits for early morning or late afternoon.
What cuisines can you find in Santa Maria?
In Santa Maria you can find Filipino cuisine, with dishes like adobo, sinigang, and pancit. Travelers can also enjoy Latin American options, including Mexican and South American fare, along with Italian, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Mediterranean, Portuguese, and Cajun Creole flavors.
Can I book a refundable hotel in Santa Maria?
Yes, Expedia offers many flexible booking options, and you can look for refundable hotels in Santa Maria by entering your dates and using the refundable or fully refundable filter. Always check the hotel's cancellation policy before you book, since terms can vary by hotel, and visit Expedia help center for further details.
Why book a trip to Santa Maria with Expedia?
Expedia makes it easier to plan your Santa Maria trip with travel tools, flexible search options, and bookable trip components all in one place. You can organize your plans in one account and use Expedia to help build a trip that fits your budget and travel style. Find out more about how by visiting Expedia's Trip Planner page.
Should I stay in a hotel or vacation rental in Santa Maria?
The best choice depends on your travel style. Hotels in Santa Maria can be a good fit for convenience, on-site amenities, and shorter stays, while vacation rentals may offer more space, privacy, and home-style amenities for longer trips, families, or groups. With Expedia, you can compare both options side by side, read traveler reviews, and filter by amenities to find the right fit for your trip.
How can I manage my Santa Maria trip on Expedia?
Once you've booked your Santa Maria trip, you can manage it through your Expedia account or the Expedia app. You can view your itinerary, access booking details, make eligible changes, and check for updates in My Trips. The Expedia app can also help you stay organized while you travel.
What if I need help during my Santa Maria trip?
Expedia offers customer support before, during, and after your Santa Maria trip. If your plans change or something unexpected happens, you can review your booking in My Trips and use Expedia help center channels for help with eligible changes, cancellations, or travel issues.
How can Expedia help me plan my first trip to Santa Maria?
If it's your first trip to Santa Maria, Expedia can help you plan by bringing together stays, flights, activities, traveler reviews, and trip-planning tools in one place. With Expedia's Trip Planner you can compare options, read reviews from other travelers, and build an itinerary that matches your interests and budget.
How can I save on my Santa Maria hotel booking with Expedia?
Join One Key™ for free to unlock instant discounts with Member Prices on select hotels. You can also earn and use OneKeyCash™* on eligible bookings on Expedia. Booking in advance is usually another great way to save on your Santa Maria hotel.

*Excludes taxes and fees. OneKeyCash is not redeemable for cash and can only be used on Expedia and other participating brands.

Cities near Santa Maria

A beach with two people walking along the shore, waves crashing onto the sand, and a cloudy sky.

Sal

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