Horse Riding in Sal Island – Cabo Verde

The best part of this Sal Island horseback ride is the setting: you leave the stables near Santa Maria and cross pale dunes and salt flats before reaching a broad beach. Choose a one, 1.5, or two-hour route, with the longer rides continuing to Kite Beach.

I like the small group limit of eight and the guide ratio of about one guide for every two riders. I also like that helmets, hotel transport, lockers, insurance, and a safety briefing are included. The main caution is that beginners should speak clearly about their ability before mounting, since beach activity and passing kite surfers can make the ride less predictable.

Key points to know before booking

• Three ride lengths: The one-hour route covers the dunes and Santa Maria salt flats, while the 1.5 and two-hour options continue toward Kite Beach.
• Small groups: A maximum of eight riders allows the guides to match horses and riders more carefully.
• Guides ride with you: Ziggy, Matteus, and other guides have been praised for putting nervous riders at ease and helping select suitable horses.
• Beginners are accepted: First-time riders, including older beginners, can join, but you should not treat this as a completely risk-free pony ride.
• Weight limit applies: Each participant must weigh 90 kilograms or less.
• Useful extras are included: Hotel pickup and drop-off, helmets, lockers, bum bags, local taxes, and insurance are part of the $60.25 price.

From Santa Maria to the salt flats on horseback

Your outing begins with pickup from your hotel reception and a short transfer to Santa Marilha Horse Excursions, located in the Botanical Gardens Viveiro. That arrangement is handy in Santa Maria, where organizing a taxi after an activity can sometimes be less simple than expected.

At the riding centre, you can leave belongings in a locker. You receive a CE-certified riding helmet, which is mandatory, plus a bum bag for small essentials. A safety briefing follows, along with a check of your riding ability and, according to the published conditions, your weight.

The matching process matters. You are not simply handed the nearest horse and sent off. The guides aim to pair each rider with a horse suited to experience and confidence. Names that appear in the experience include Ziggy and Matteus, and their role is more than pointing out the route. They ride with the group, help control the pace, and give support when a rider is unsure.

The maximum group size is eight, with roughly one guide for every two riders. That is a strong setup for a trail ride. It gives the team a better chance of noticing a nervous beginner, a horse that needs settling, or a rider who wants a little more pace.

From the stables, the route heads across sand dunes toward the Big Salt Mines of Santa Maria. The first part is not about speed. It is a gentle introduction to riding on loose sand, with wide open views and the unusual sight of salt production close to the resort town.

Why the salt flats make the short ride worthwhile

The one-hour option is the sensible choice if you want a taste of riding without giving up most of your day. You still reach the dunes and salt flats, and you get the central experience of seeing this dry corner of Sal from horseback.

The salt flats give the route its character. The white ground, pale sand, and open sky create a sharp contrast with the horses beneath you. You are not riding through a forest or along a narrow mountain path. This is a broad, exposed setting where the appeal comes from space, light, and the odd sight of salt pans beside the coast.

I would choose the one-hour ride if you have never sat on a horse, have limited physical stamina, or simply want to test your comfort before committing to a longer outing. Sitting in the saddle for two hours can be tiring even when the pace is easy, and a shorter route gives you an exit before your legs begin to complain.

The tradeoff is clear: the shortest ride does not reach Kite Beach. If the beach is the main reason you are booking, pay the extra time and choose the 1.5 or two-hour option.

The longer route to Kite Beach

The 1.5-hour and two-hour rides leave the salt flats behind and continue toward Kite Beach. This section adds the feature that makes the longer tours more memorable: a long stretch of golden sand where you can ride beside the sea.

Kite Beach is known for kite activity, so conditions can change. The beach is open and scenic, but kites, boards, wind, and people near the water can create distractions for horses. That is the most important practical point for a beginner. You should listen closely to the guide, keep your horse at the instructed pace, and tell the staff honestly if you feel unsettled.

Confident riders may be allowed to gallop, including along the beach or through shallow water when conditions and the group make it suitable. This is not guaranteed for every rider. Your horse, riding skill, weather, beach conditions, and the guide’s judgment all matter.

Do not book the two-hour ride solely because you hope for a fast gallop. Book it for the extra scenery and beach time. The faster riding is a possible bonus for riders who can control a horse confidently and safely.

The two-hour option is also the best value if you want the full route. At $60.25 per person, the price is reasonable for an outing that includes transport, equipment, insurance, and a guide. The longer ride gives you more time in the saddle and reaches both the salt flats and Kite Beach, rather than ending just as you have settled into the rhythm.

How suitable is it for a first-time rider?

The experience is designed for mixed ability. First-time riders have joined, and the guides have helped older beginners feel comfortable. One first-time rider in their late sixties rode a horse called Luna and described the staff as friendly and reassuring. That does not mean you need previous riding experience.

It does mean you should arrive with realistic expectations. A guided trail ride is still a physical activity involving a live animal. You may need to mount, maintain your balance, follow instructions, and sit in the saddle for up to two hours. The published guidance asks for a moderate level of fitness.

I would recommend the one-hour route for a very nervous beginner. If you are comfortable after the briefing and the first stretch, you can consider a longer ride on another day. If you are joining the 1.5 or two-hour option, tell the staff exactly what you have and have not done before.

One troubling account described a novice rider whose horse bolted after a kite surfer came close, resulting in a fall and a shoulder injury. That is a serious reminder that no horse ride is risk-free, even with guides and helmets. The account is not enough to judge every ride, but it is enough to make one point clear: beginners should not assume that a beach setting is automatically calm.

A separate first-time rider felt safe throughout, and many riders praised the horse matching and guide support. Both points can be true. The setup is designed to help beginners, but the sea, wind, and horses still bring real variables.

Horse care and the mixed picture

Horse welfare is central to the quality of this outing. Several riders specifically praised the horses as calm, friendly, and well cared for. Guides were also credited with selecting suitable horses for pairs that included both beginners and experienced riders.

There is one less positive account involving a horse with sand bites or an allergic reaction that appeared agitated. The operator explained that an unusually heavy mosquito season had caused skin reactions among some horses and that veterinary treatment was introduced. That explanation does not erase the concern, but it gives you useful context.

My practical advice is simple: look at your horse before mounting. If you see obvious irritation, repeated kicking at its belly, or unusual agitation, raise it with the staff immediately. You should also tell the guide if you feel the horse is beyond your ability.

The overall picture is positive, with repeated praise for friendly horses and attentive staff, but it is sensible to pay attention at check-in rather than assuming every horse will suit every rider.

What the $60.25 price really covers

The listed price is $60.25 per person. That is not the cheapest activity you will find in a resort town, but it includes more than the saddle time alone.

The package includes:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Professional guide
• Safety helmet
• Locker
• Bum bag
• Insurance
• Local taxes

You can also choose among several departure times, which helps fit the ride around a beach day or another Sal excursion. The small group size adds value, especially for beginners who need closer attention.

Photos may be available from a photographer at an additional cost. Some riders found the photographs worth buying, particularly because it is difficult to take your own pictures safely while riding. Bring only what you need. The locker and bum bag reduce the problem of carrying a phone or wallet, but this is not the place for a large camera bag.

The price looks strongest for the two-hour route, provided you want both the salt flats and Kite Beach. The one-hour option is better value for a cautious beginner who may not enjoy a long time in the saddle.

Timing, clothing, and small practical details

Wear clothes that allow your legs to move and that you do not mind getting dusty. Long trousers are the sensible choice for comfort against the saddle and stirrup leathers. Closed shoes are also a practical decision, though the supplied information does not set out a specific footwear rule.

Sal can be hot, windy, and bright. The route is exposed, so sun protection matters. Keep valuables to a minimum and use the locker provided at the riding centre.

Hotel pickup is included, but confirm the pickup point at reception. The transfer begins from the hotel, while the ride itself starts at the stables in the botanical gardens.

The activity depends on good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Inside that 24-hour window, refunds are not provided and changes are not accepted.

The activity is near public transportation, though one useful local tip is to arrange your return plan if you are not using the included transfer. A taxi may not be easy to find on the spot.

Who should book the one-hour or two-hour ride?

Choose the one-hour outing if you are a complete beginner, have limited fitness, or want a short activity between other plans. It gives you the dunes and salt flats without demanding a large block of time.

Choose the 1.5-hour ride if you want Kite Beach but would rather keep the saddle time moderate. This is a good middle ground for a mixed group where one person rides regularly and another is still learning.

Choose the two-hour route if you are comfortable riding, want the full setting, and hope for the chance to move faster on the beach. You may also find it worthwhile if you are celebrating something special. One rider used the outing as part of a 50th birthday and enjoyed galloping along the beach with family.

The ride suits couples, small groups, and solo riders. A solo rider may even find the outing unusually personal if the group is small on the day, though that cannot be promised.

I would not choose it for someone who cannot meet the 90-kilogram weight limit, someone looking for a guaranteed gallop, or anyone who strongly dislikes open beach conditions and wind. If you have a recent injury or trouble with balance, the moderate fitness requirement deserves serious attention.

Should you book Santa Marilha Horse Excursions?

Yes, if you want an active way to see the salt flats and beach outside Santa Maria, and you are comfortable accepting the normal risks of riding. The strongest reasons to book are the scenery, the three route lengths, the small group limit, and the guide-to-rider ratio.

I would choose the two-hour ride for the best overall route, but I would choose one hour for a nervous first-timer. Tell the staff your exact ability, inspect your horse, listen carefully near Kite Beach, and do not feel pressured to gallop.

The 4.9 rating and 98 percent recommendation fit the dominant picture: friendly guides, attractive routes, and horses that are generally matched well to their riders. The isolated safety and horse-care concerns are worth taking seriously, not ignoring. For most suitable riders, this is a fairly priced Sal Island activity that combines the salt flats, dunes, and beach in a way a normal taxi tour cannot.

FAQ

Where does the horse ride start?

The transfer takes you to Santa Marilha Horse Excursions at the Botanical Gardens Viveiro, near Santa Maria.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Round-trip hotel pickup and drop-off are included in the price.

How long is the horse ride?

You can choose a one-hour, 1.5-hour, or two-hour ride.

Does every route reach Kite Beach?

No. The one-hour route focuses on the dunes and Big Salt Mines of Santa Maria. The 1.5-hour and two-hour routes continue to Kite Beach.

Can complete beginners join?

Yes. Beginners can join, and the guides match horses to riding ability. You should still have a moderate level of physical fitness and explain your experience clearly before the ride.

What is the maximum group size?

The tour accepts a maximum of eight riders.

Is there a weight limit?

Yes. The maximum permitted weight is 90 kilograms per participant.

Is a riding helmet provided?

Yes. CE-certified riding helmets are provided and must be worn.

Are insurance and lockers included?

Yes. Insurance and use of lockers are included, along with a bum bag for small belongings.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The activity requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you can receive a full refund or choose another date. You can also cancel for a full refund at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time.