Boa Vista Airport (BVC) → Santa Mónica transfer
Santa Mónica is 18 km from Boa Vista Airport, a private drive of typically 23–29 minutes. A standard car for 1–3 passengers usually costs around €30–40, and a minivan for up to about seven people around €45–60; the exact price for your address appears before you book.
- From
- Boa Vista Airport (BVC)
- To
- Santa Mónica
- Distance
- 18 km
- Typical drive
- 23–29 min
This is the island's emptiest stretch of coast: a long, wild beach on the south-west side with dunes behind it and only a handful of large resorts and villas within reach.
How long is the drive from Boa Vista Airport to Santa Mónica?
Count on 23–29 minutes. Instead of heading for the coast at Chaves, the driver turns south across the interior: stony plains, dry riverbeds and low scrub, with the hills of the south ahead and hardly another car on the road.
The road is a mix of tarmac and cobblestones, so the ride feels slower than the distance suggests. Near Santa Mónica the surface gets rougher, and the final approach to the beach is a sandy, unpaved track.
Where you are actually going
- A resort on the south-west coast
- Most travellers on this route stay at one of the big all-inclusive complexes near Santa Mónica, each with its own access road. The driver stops at the entrance or reception.
- A villa or private house
- Give the full address or a map pin when booking. Some plots are reached only by track, so the provider confirms the closest point a normal vehicle can reach.
- The beach itself
- Backed by dunes and without facilities: no shops, sunbeds or lifeguards. A transfer goes as far as the track allows; for exploring further, travellers usually join a jeep or quad tour.
What to expect on arrival
Santa Mónica has no town, no taxi rank and no bus. Cash, snacks or a SIM card are easiest to sort out in the resort or on a later trip to Sal Rei.
The Atlantic here is open and often rough, with strong currents in places, so many guests use the beach for long walks and swim only where their hotel advises.
Luggage, kids and gear for the south coast
The bumpier sections make a proper child seat more important than on the short hop to Chaves, so request one when booking. A minivan gives families room for suitcases and pushchairs.
Kite, surf, diving and golf equipment must be declared in advance.
Frequently asked questions
Is the road to Santa Mónica paved?
Only in parts. The route combines tarmac and cobblestones, and the last section towards the beach is an unpaved, sandy track. Resorts have their own access roads, fine for normal cars and minivans.
Do I need a 4x4 for the transfer?
Not for a resort or a house on a normal access road. If your accommodation can only be reached over sand, mention it when booking and the provider will confirm the nearest drop-off point or the right vehicle.
How much is a taxi from Boa Vista Airport to Santa Mónica?
A private transfer is typically around €30–40 for a car with up to three passengers and €45–60 for a minivan. These are indicative figures; the exact price for your date and vehicle is shown before booking and stays fixed.
Can I get a taxi back from Santa Mónica on the day?
It is not something to rely on, because no taxis wait in this part of the island. Booking your return transfer in advance is the safer option.
Is Santa Mónica far from Sal Rei?
Sal Rei is on the north-west coast, beyond the airport, so it is further from Santa Mónica than the airport is. Most guests visit the town on an organised trip or a separately booked transfer.
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Aristides Pereira International Airport: arrival and transfer guide