Praia

Praia is Cape Verde's capital and busiest city. Settlements in Praia started in the 1615 which then became capital of the country in the year 1770. The city is located in the southern end of Santiago Island and has year round good weather. The city is divided into various small unofficial districts, the most important ones being, Plateau (city center), Achada Santo Antonio, Palmarejo, Fazenda, Achada Grande, Varzea, Safende, Sucupira(bazaar area), Calbeciera, Terra Branca, Vila Nova, Achadinha, Bairro, Prainha, Monte Vermelho, Achada Mato, Achada Sao Felipe, and other smaller ones. Probably not worth visiting in itself, but worth a half-day exploration if you are passing through to another destination. The centre of town lies on a plateau overlooking the bay to the southeast. The airport lies a few kilometers to the northeast. Get in Praia has an international airport. TACV (national flag carrier)[1] and TAP airlines fly to various destinations in Africa, and to Portugal. Taxis from the airport to Praia cost 500$. After 18:00 the cost is 1000$. There is one bus line that serves the airport but it’s better to just take a taxi since there is actually only one or two buses that serves this line. You can also enter the city through the port. There are ferry boats that have irregular service to and from the islands of Maio, Boavista, Sal and Sao Nicolau, and more regular and scheduled service to and from Sao Vicente and Fogo. Get around The city has countless bus stops, and taxis are everywhere waiting for customers. There are two main bus companies that serve the city, Moura Company and Sol Atlantico. Each route has their own numbers. The main lines are from Safende to Achada Santo Antonio, Vila Nova to Achada Santo Antonio, Calbeceira to Palmarejo, Pensamento to Terra Branca, Achada Grande to Achada Santo Antonio, Sao Felipe to Plateau, Ponta D'Agua toPlateau,Achada Mato to Palmarejo. Most of these lines pass by Plateau (city center), Varzea and Terra Branca, the bus fair is about 35 escudos. When it comes to taxis you should be careful with illegal taxis that sometimes roam around and might rip you off. The normal taxi fare between two furthest points of the city shouldn’t be more 1500 escudos in daytime and 1800 escudos at night time, example Pensamento to Palmarejo, or Palmarejo to Achada Mato. Taxi drivers usually expect to get a tip, give around 50 escudos to 100 escudos. Just be careful and always drive with the taxis that have a taximeter, so that they don’t overcharge you. See Praia town hall. (14.917112,-23.509324) Praia Cathedral. (14.917389,-23.508751) Palácio da Justiça. (14.917710,-23.508626) Do Buy Eat Cybercafé Sofia. A great place to eat local food and watch the world go by. (14.919648,-23.507438) Drink Sleep Budget Residencial RosymarInn, 16 Rua Tenente Valadim (known as Rua Madragoa) Praia, Santiago, ☎ (+238) 2616345 (info@rosymarinn.com), [2]. checkin: 01:00; checkout: 11:00. Newly renovated bed & breakfast located in the heart of the city of Praia, known as Plateau, near the Presidential Palace. Friendly staff, very clean and quiet rooms. Breakfast included. dpl 3500 to 5500$. (14.983333,23.433334) Mid-range Hotel América, Achada St Antonio - Praia - CP 55/A, ☎ (+238) 262 1431 (hotel_america@cvtelecom.cv). In Praiha, south of the centre of town near the beaches sgl 4500$ dbl 5500$ suite 7200$ including breakfast. Benfica Pensao, 30 Rua 5 de Julho | Plateau Praia, Praia, Santiago CP 273A, Cape Verde. Beramar Restauracao Hotelaria e Tourismo, Cha De Areia, Praia, Santiago, Cape Verde. Perola Hotel, Cha de Areia, Praia, Santiago 129A, Cape Verde. Residencial Praia Maria, 30 Rua 5 de Julho | Plateau Praia, Praia, Santiago CP 273A, Cape Verde (In a quiet area near the main market), [3]. checkout: 12:00. This three star hotel is a bit past its prime, but is bright and clean. Sgl 4200-6000$ dbl 5200-7000$ triple 6500-8000$ includes breakfast. Splurge Praia's high-end options are located south of the main town in the area of Prainha. Pestana Trópico, Caixa Postal 413 Cidade da Praia Cabo Verde, ☎ (+238) 2614200 (reservas.tropico@pestana.com, fax: (+238) 2615225), [4]. 10min to centre of the Praia. 5km from the airport. Oásis Atlântico Praiamar, Prainha, Cidade da Praia, Ilha de Santiago, ☎ (+238) 261 3777 / 261 4153 (praiamar@oasisatlantico.com, fax: (+238) 261 2972), [5]. Decrepit infrastructure, outrageously overpriced. Stay Safe Cope Embassies United States, Rua Abilio Macedo 6 Praia, Cape Verde, ☎ 238-260-8900 (PraiaConsular@state.gov, fax: 238-261-1355), [6]. Get out Cidade Velha, the historic capital, is an easy half-day trip. This article is an outline and needs more content. It has a template, but there is not enough information present. Please plunge forward and help it grow!