The hype
A beautiful, sprawling resort with incredible staff and stunning beaches, but it suffers from dated rooms and repetitive buffet food.
Riu Touareg - All Inclusive
$150-250 / noche
Reserva esto si You want a massive, secluded all-inclusive resort on a breathtaking, endless white-sand beach where you can completely unplug.
Por qué a la gente le encanta
- Stunning, remote location on Santa Monica beach
- Massive complex with 6 pools including a swim-up bar
- Exclusive adults-only section with its own pool and restaurant
Resumen rápido: It's a beautiful but isolated mega-resort where the ocean is often too rough for swimming and the food can feel like a cattle market at peak times.
Reseñado por @brittanynewtonxo: I stayed at the Riu Touareg in Boa Vista and it was way bigger than I expected! My boyfriend lived at the swim-up bar, and the Asian restaurant was incredible. The rooms are a bit dated but clean, and the white party at the sister hotel was an absolute vibe.
Lo que dijeron los huéspedes que se hospedaron aquí
Reality check
The sheer size of the resort means long walks, and the main buffet can feel chaotic and overcrowded during peak dining hours.
- You want a fly-and-flop holiday without leaving the resort
- You love long walks on pristine, empty beaches
- You appreciate warm, cheerful Cape Verdean hospitality
Limpieza y Mantenimiento
7.5
- Housekeeping: Daily cleaning is generally good, but some guests report missed spots and a musty smell in older rooms.
- Bathroom hygiene: Acceptable, though some standard rooms show signs of wear, dated fixtures, and occasional sewer smells.
- Maintenance: The public areas and gardens are immaculate, but some room interiors feel dated and in need of a refresh.
- Linens & towels: Clean and functional, with a convenient towel card system for unlimited pool towel exchanges.
- Odors & scents: Occasional complaints of musty smells in ground-floor rooms or sewer odors from drains, but public areas are fresh.
Sleepability™
7.5SILENCIOSO
0-4RUIDOSO
4-7.5MODERADO
7.5-10SILENCIOSO
- Evening entertainment and karaoke in the main plaza
- Echoing hallways and thin walls between rooms
Antes de reservar
Es bueno saberlo
- The transfer from the airport involves a bumpy 30-minute ride on a dirt track.
- Wi-Fi is free in public areas but can be spotty in the rooms.
- You must book the specialty restaurants (like Kabuki) via the RIU app exactly when slots open.
Qué llevar
- High SPF sunscreen (the Cape Verde sun is intense and the wind masks the heat)
- Light layers for the evening (it gets very windy and chilly at night)
- Sturdy walking shoes if you plan to explore the massive dunes or shipwreck
Genio de Habitaciones
Mejores opciones
- Adults-only section rooms for a quieter pool and exclusive dining access
- Ocean view rooms on higher floors for spectacular sunsets
Habitaciones a evitar
- Standard rooms near the main plaza or nightclub due to late-night noise
- Ground floor rooms which can feel dark and lack privacy
Genio de Solicitud de Habitación – copiar y pegar
“I would love to request a room in the adults-only section on an upper floor, as far from the main entertainment plaza and nightclub as possible to ensure a quiet night's sleep.”
Preguntas frecuentes y consejos ocultos
Todo lo que realmente quieres saber antes de reservar.
Is the sea safe for swimming?
Often no. The beach is stunning, but strong winds and currents mean red flags are frequently flying.
Is there anything to do outside the hotel?
Not within walking distance. The hotel is in a remote desert area, so you'll need to book an excursion or taxi to explore.
Are the specialty restaurants included?
Yes, they are part of the all-inclusive package, but the Kulinarium is exclusive to the adults-only section.
How is the Wi-Fi?
It's free, but guests report it being slow or unreliable, especially in the rooms.
Do I need to bring a beach towel?
No, the hotel provides towel cards at check-in which you can exchange as often as you like.
Is the adults-only upgrade worth it?
Most guests say yes, as it provides access to a quieter pool, premium drinks, and the exclusive Kulinarium restaurant.
Consejos de Insiders
- ✨
Book your specialty dining reservations on the RIU app the second they become available, as they book up instantly.
- ✨
The smaller infinity pool is the best spot to grab a drink and watch the sunset over the beach.
- ✨
Take a walk down the beach to the right to find completely untouched, pristine sand dunes.
5 cosas que debes saber antes de ir
💡The wind is constant—great for kite surfing, but it means sand gets everywhere and the ocean is rough.
💡The drive from the airport is an incredibly bumpy 30-minute ride through a barren dirt landscape.
💡The main buffet can feel like a 'cattle market' during peak times; go early or late to avoid the rush.
💡There is a local tourist tax of CVE 276 (about €2.50) per person, per night that you must pay at check-in.
💡The resort looks like a giant sandcastle rising out of the desert, which is visually striking but means a lot of walking.
Guía Local
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