Spinguera Ecolodge

Spinguera Ecolodge stands in Espingueira, on the north coast of Boa Vista east of Sal Rei, inside the Parque Natural do Norte, one of the island's protected areas. It began as a village of fishermen, farmers and goat herders that was slowly abandoned in the 1970s and 80s; after several years of restoration it opened in 2007 as an eco-lodge built from local stone in the island's traditional style. There are nine rooms and three villas, all facing the desert and the ocean, each with a shower, a mosquito net and two linen sun loungers outside; the villas add a living room and a fully equipped kitchen. The restaurant and bar, Cá Cabra, combines Cape Verdean cooking with Italian recipes, using local fish, meat and vegetables, and breakfast brings fruit, yoghurt, cakes and homemade jams. A 14-metre pool inspired by the water cisterns of Santo Antão, an open wooden yoga shala and a small shop selling local crafts complete the lodge. Hot water is heated by the sun and the lodge runs on renewable energy; Wi-Fi is free but there is no mobile signal, and a free shuttle runs to Sal Rei three times a week. Aristides Pereira International Airport is 17 km away.