Curral Velho

Curral Velho is a deserted village located on the remote southern coast of Boa Vista. Established in the late 17th century, it was once a functioning settlement where inhabitants relied on fishing and small-scale salt extraction. However, the harsh, arid conditions, prolonged droughts, and frequent pirate attacks eventually forced the population to abandon the village in the mid-20th century. Today, the ruins of the stone houses and a small chapel stand mostly roofless, slowly being reclaimed by the shifting desert sands. The area surrounding the ruins is geographically significant. Just off the coast lies the Ilhéu de Curral Velho, a small, rocky islet that serves as a crucial breeding ground for seabirds, including the brown booby and the magnificent frigatebird. Inland from the village is an expansive salt flat and wetland area, which occasionally holds water and attracts migrating shorebirds. Visiting Curral Velho requires a 4x4 vehicle due to the lack of paved roads in southern Boa Vista. The drive from Sal Rei takes about an hour and a half across unpaved desert tracks. There are no facilities at the site, so bringing sufficient water and supplies is mandatory. The stark, desolate landscape provides an atmospheric location for photography and an insight into the historical struggles of settling the Cape Verdean archipelago.

Nearby cities

Sal Rei

Sal Rei is the capital of Boa Vista island and a growing tourist center.

Estância de Baixo

Estância de Baixo is a quiet village in the interior of Boa Vista.

Rabil

Rabil is the former capital of Boa Vista and a center of handicrafts.

Santa Mónica Beach

A 15-kilometer-long, almost untouched white sand beach on the southwestern coast of Boa Vista.

Fundo das Figueiras

Fundo das Figueiras is a picturesque village in the eastern part of Boa Vista.

João Galego

João Galego is one of the villages in the northern region of Boa Vista.

Cabeça dos Tarrafes

Cabeça dos Tarrafes is the easternmost village on Boa Vista island.

Povoação Velha

Povoação Velha is the oldest settlement on Boa Vista island.

Bofareira

Bofareira is a small, authentic village in the north of Boa Vista.

More places

Monte Estância

The highest mountain on the island of Boa Vista, rising from the flat desert landscape.

Boa Vista

The third largest island, characterized by desert-like landscapes and endless dunes.

Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception

One of the oldest churches on the island of Boa Vista, located near the village of Povoação Velha.

Rabil Lagoon Bird Watching Area

An important wetland area on Boa Vista that serves as a resting place for numerous migratory bird species.

Praia de Chaves

A vast, pristine beach on Boa Vista, bordered by giant sand dunes.

Morro de Areia

An extensive area of shifting dunes on the west coast of Boa Vista, forming an impressive desert landscape right on the Atlantic.

Monte Joaquim

A hill in the north of Boa Vista, rising out of the flat coastal plain and serving as an important nesting site for seabirds.

Boa Vista Whale Watching Station

A significant site for observing humpback whales, which calve in the waters off Boa Vista.