Horse Riding in Sal Island – Cabo Verde

Sal Island is mostly dry, open, and sun-bright, so a horse gives you a fine way to cover its quieter edges. This ride leaves the stables at Viveiro Botanical Gardens, crosses sand dunes and the Big Salt Mines of Santa Maria, then reaches the beach. The longer options continue toward Kite Beach, where experienced riders may get a chance to gallop.

I like the small group, limited to eight, and the roughly one guide for every two riders. I also like the clear matching of horses to riding ability, with guides such as Ziggy and Matteus helping beginners settle in. The main caution is that a total beginner still needs to speak up and ask for close help, especially near Kite Beach, where kites and other activity can startle a horse.

Key points before you book

• Three ride lengths: Choose a 1-hour route, a 1.5-hour ride, or the full 2-hour outing.
• A varied route: The ride passes dunes, salt flats, desert scenery, and white-sand beaches.
• Small-group attention: A maximum of eight riders and several mounted guides allow for personal supervision.
• Beginner-friendly, with limits: Calm horses and careful matching help first-time riders, but this remains a real outdoor riding activity.
• Kite Beach option: The longer rides continue beyond the salt flats, with possible faster riding for experienced participants.
• Useful extras included: Hotel pickup and drop-off, a helmet, locker, bum bag, insurance, and local taxes are covered.

From Santa Maria to the salt flats on horseback

The experience begins with pickup from your hotel in Santa Maria. Meet the driver at reception, then travel to Santa Marilha Horse Excursions at Viveiro Botanical Gardens. This transfer is useful because the riding centre is outside the main hotel strip, and arranging transport back independently can be awkward.

At the stables, you can leave belongings in a locker. You receive a CE-certified riding helmet before mounting, and helmet use is mandatory. Bum bags are also provided, which is handy for a few small items without carrying a loose backpack on horseback.

The staff asks about your riding ability and matches you with a suitable horse. That step matters more than it may sound. A first-time rider needs a steady horse and clear instructions, while a confident rider may want a mount that responds more readily. Several guides ride with the group, with a stated ratio of about one guide for every two riders.

The ride itself starts across sand dunes. This is not a polished ranch arena or a short pony circuit. You are out in Sal’s open terrain, where wind, sand, and the wide horizon are part of the experience. The pace is generally shaped by the group, so your ride may feel relaxed rather than sporty if several people are new to horses.

The first main point of interest is the Big Salt Mines of Santa Maria. The salt flats give the ride a strong sense of place. Sal’s name comes from salt, and these bright, spare flats show one of the island’s defining trades and natural features without requiring a separate sightseeing stop.

What changes between the one-hour and two-hour rides

The 1-hour ride is the sensible choice if you have never ridden before, feel unsure about your balance, or want a gentle activity between beach time and dinner. You still get the dunes and salt flats, but you are less committed if your legs begin to ache or the saddle feels unfamiliar.

The 1.5-hour option adds more time beyond the salt flats and heads toward Kite Beach. It offers a better mix of inland scenery and coast without taking up as much of your day as the longest outing.

The 2-hour ride gives the fullest route. After the salt flats, the group continues toward Kite Beach and along the long golden beach. This is the version I would choose if you already ride, want more time in the saddle, or see horseback riding as one of your main Sal activities.

The longer ride is not simply the same short loop repeated. You get more variety, moving from dunes and salt pans to open beach. Several riders have also enjoyed riding through shallow water, and experienced riders may be allowed to gallop when conditions and ability make it suitable. Do not assume a beach gallop is guaranteed. It depends on the horse, the group, the weather, and the guide’s judgment.

Why the horses and guides matter

The strongest part of this outing is the human and animal pairing. Guides are not just leading a line of horses. They assess riding experience, choose mounts, and aim to keep the group together. Ziggy is singled out in the supplied experiences, along with guides such as Matteus, for helping riders relax and enjoy the route.

That personal attention appears especially useful for first-time riders. One rider in their late sixties had never been on a horse before and found the staff reassuring. Other first-timers felt safe on the route through the salt flats, desert, and beach. A horse called Luna is mentioned as a calm companion, while another rider became especially fond of a horse named King after the full two-hour outing.

Still, you should be realistic. A beginner lesson in a fenced school is more controlled than an outdoor ride across dunes and beaches. Horses are living animals, and open coastal settings bring wind, noise, kites, and unfamiliar movement. One serious complaint described a horse bolting after being startled by a kite surfer, causing a rider to fall and hurt a shoulder. The provider responded by pointing to its safety procedures and risk management, but this remains an important warning for anyone completely new to riding.

Ask clearly for help before setting off. Tell the guide if you are nervous, have never mounted a horse, or do not feel secure in the saddle. A good match at the start makes a major difference.

Kite Beach adds scenery and a little uncertainty

Kite Beach is the highlight of the longer routes. The wide beach gives you room to appreciate Sal’s famous wind and open coastline from a different angle. Instead of simply looking at the beach from a resort chair, you move along it at horse height, with the salt flats and dunes behind you.

The same wind that makes the beach attractive for kite sports can also affect the ride. Kites and water activity may be close enough to interest or startle a horse. For that reason, faster riding should be reserved for riders who are genuinely comfortable and only when the guide approves it.

I would not book the two-hour route solely because you expect a dramatic gallop. Book it for the longer route, the changing scenery, and the chance of a livelier pace. If the group includes several beginners, expect the guide to put safety and control first.

The beach is also where photography can add value. A photographer may take pictures during the ride, and several riders found the resulting images worthwhile. Photos are not listed as part of the included package, so ask about the price before agreeing to buy them.

Group size, comfort, and what to wear

The maximum group size is eight riders. That is small enough to make it easier for guides to see what is happening, and much more personal than a large tourist procession. The guide-to-rider ratio is another useful safeguard, especially when the group includes mixed abilities.

You need a moderate level of physical fitness. Horse riding can tire your legs and seat muscles even at a walking pace, and the ride takes place in sun, sand, and wind. The stated weight limit is 90 kilograms per participant. This is firm, so check it before booking rather than arriving with an unpleasant surprise.

Wear comfortable trousers and closed shoes suitable for riding. The supplied information does not specify footwear or clothing requirements, so use practical riding clothes rather than beachwear. Protect yourself from the sun, and bring only what you need. Your larger belongings can go in the lockers, while a bum bag keeps small essentials close.

The ride depends on good weather. Sal can be windy, and poor conditions may lead to cancellation. If that happens, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Is $60.25 a fair price?

At $60.25 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend an hour in Santa Maria, but the price includes more than the horse ride itself. Hotel pickup and drop-off, local taxes, a professional guide, helmet use, a locker, a bum bag, and insurance are included.

The value improves with the longer ride. A one-hour outing gives you a taste of riding on Sal, while the two-hour version reaches Kite Beach and gives you more time in the varied scenery. If you already ride, the longer option makes the price easier to justify.

You also avoid the hassle of arranging transport to the stables. That matters in practice. One useful tip is to organize your return transport carefully if you are not using the included hotel transfer, since finding a taxi back from the riding centre may be difficult.

Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the start time. Cancel within 24 hours and the payment is not refunded. The activity also requires a signed waiver, according to one experience, even though insurance is included, so read the terms and ask questions before mounting if that concerns you.

Who will enjoy this ride most?

I would recommend it to:

• Riders who want to see the salt flats and Kite Beach in one outing
• Couples or friends with mixed riding ability
• First-time riders who are comfortable trying an outdoor activity
• Experienced riders who want the possibility of a beach gallop
• Visitors who value hotel transport and a small group
• Anyone looking for a quieter alternative to a motorized island excursion

I would be more cautious if you are very nervous around horses, have limited mobility, or want a completely predictable and controlled activity. The tour is designed for different ability levels, but it cannot remove the basic uncertainty of riding an animal outdoors.

Families should also pay attention to the 90-kilogram limit and the moderate fitness requirement. The supplied information does not give a minimum age, so ask the operator directly if children are part of your plans.

My verdict on Santa Marilha Horse Excursions

This is a strong way to experience Sal’s salt flats, dunes, and beaches without staying on the main resort strip. I especially like the small groups, the horse matching, and the inclusion of transport and safety equipment. The route has real variety, and the two-hour option gives you the best sense of the island’s open spaces.

The important qualification is that beginner-friendly does not mean risk-free. Ask for close guidance, listen carefully to the safety briefing, and do not feel pressured to gallop. If you want a personal outdoor ride and accept that the pace may be shaped by the least experienced person in the group, I would book it. Choose one hour for a cautious first try, 1.5 hours for a balanced outing, and two hours if you want Kite Beach and more time in the saddle.

FAQ

Where does the horseback ride begin?

The ride begins at Santa Marilha Horse Excursions, located at the Viveiro Botanical Gardens near Santa Maria. Hotel pickup is provided.

How long is the horseback riding experience?

You can choose a 1-hour, 1.5-hour, or 2-hour ride.

What places does the route visit?

The route crosses sand dunes and reaches the Big Salt Mines of Santa Maria. The 1.5-hour and 2-hour options continue toward Kite Beach.

Is hotel transportation included?

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

How many people can join the group?

The maximum group size is eight participants.

Can beginners take part?

Yes. Beginners are accepted, and guides match horses to riding ability. You should still have a moderate level of physical fitness and tell the guides clearly if you have never ridden before.

Is a helmet provided?

Yes. A CE-certified riding helmet is provided and must be worn during the ride.

Is there a weight limit?

Yes. The stated maximum is 90 kilograms per participant.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The activity requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.