Africa > Cabo Verde > Boa Vista (BVC)

The Car or no Car advice for  Boa Vista can be broken down into three similar questions - do you need a car in Boa Vista ;  is it worth it (based on costs), and ultimately - should you rent one? (a balance of the two).

🚆 🚌⛴️ Do we need to rent a car in Boa Vista ?

These scores are based on the quality of public transport and other travel options. If these are good enough to see the main points of interest, then you don’t need to rent a car.

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💰💶💳 Is it worth hiring a car in Boa Vista?

These scores reflect the practical factors that affect whether renting a car is convenient, good value, and stress-free.

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Boa Vista, one of Cape Verde’s most relaxed and beautiful islands, is all about beaches, dunes, turtles, and wind-swept Atlantic landscapes. Resorts line the coast, towns are small, and distances are modest — but roads can be sandy or unpaved. Because the island is spread out but sparsely populated, visitors often ask: should you rent a car in Boa Vista? The answer depends on whether you want a resort holiday or a deeper island adventure. Since movement across Boa Vista varies with terrain, your plans matter.

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🏖️ Staying in a Resort: No Car Needed

Boa Vista’s resorts near Sal Rei and along the western coast operate almost as self-contained mini-towns.
Most offer:

• Shuttle buses

• On-site restaurants and bars

• Beach access

• Organised excursions

If your holiday is mainly sun, sand, and relaxation, you won’t need your own vehicle.

➡ A resort guest can easily skip the car.

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🚚 Taxis and Tours Cover Most Visitor Needs

Taxis are available around Sal Rei and the airport.
Island tours frequently use:

• 4×4 pickups

• Open-top trucks

• Guided dune excursions

• Turtle-watching trips

These reach remote spots without requiring you to drive off-road yourself.

➡ Excursions replace the need for independent driving.

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🏜️ But Boa Vista’s Terrain Changes the Picture

Many of Boa Vista’s highlights sit beyond paved roads:

• Viana Desert dunes

• Santa Monica Beach (spectacular, remote)

• The Cabo Santa Maria shipwreck

• Morro Negro lighthouse

• Marine turtle nesting sites

A normal car may struggle on sand or gravel.
A 4×4 improves access enormously, but even then, navigation can be tricky without local knowledge.

➡ Renting a vehicle is only worthwhile if you plan real exploration.

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🚗 When Renting a Car Makes Sense

A rental car helps if you want:

• Freedom to visit remote beaches

• Early or late turtle tours

• Photography stops in the dunes

• Full-day island circuits

• Access to villages away from resort areas

Boa Vista is safe to drive, but road conditions vary greatly.

➡ A car gives independence, but only if you really plan to use it.

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🧭 Quick Table

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🎯 Conclusion: Should You Rent a Car in Boa Vista?

• ❌ Skip the car for a resort holiday or guided tours.

• ❔ Consider renting a car (preferably a 4×4) if you want to explore Boa Vista’s remote beaches and sandy interior independently.

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🚗 ✅ ❌ Summary Table

This summary score brings how much you really need a car, whether it’s worth it, driver options, local driving rules, and an overall recommendation.  This site is planned for full launch on 1st March 2026. Full terms, advice, FAQs, disclaimer etc to follow.