Sal Airport (SID) → Santa Maria transfer
Santa Maria is 17 km south of Sal Airport, a drive of typically 17–22 minutes, and a private transfer usually costs around €25–35 for a standard car (1–3 passengers) or around €40–55 for a minivan. The exact price is shown before you book and stays the same if your flight lands late.
- From
- Sal Airport (SID)
- To
- Santa Maria
- Distance
- 17 km
- Typical drive
- 17–22 min
Your driver meets you in arrivals with a name sign and drives you straight to your accommodation.
How long is the drive from Sal Airport to Santa Maria?
Leaving the airport, the road passes the edge of Espargos and heads due south. Sal is flat here, and the landscape is open stony desert with hardly a tree.
The road is paved and traffic is usually light. Towards the end the sea comes into view, and the low buildings of Santa Maria and its hotels appear along the southern coast. The last few minutes depend mainly on where in the resort you are staying.
Which part of Santa Maria are you staying in?
- Town centre and the pier
- Small hotels, apartments and bars around the wooden pier, where fishermen land their catch. Where a street is closed to cars, the driver stops at the nearest accessible point.
- West towards Ponta Preta
- Large all-inclusive resorts line the beach west of the centre towards the Ponta Preta wave spot. Drop-off is at the hotel entrance.
- East along the beach
- More resorts and apartment complexes stretch along the sand east of the pier, with Kite Beach a short ride further on.
Bringing kites, boards and diving gear
Santa Maria is the base for kitesurfing and windsurfing on Sal, and the windiest months fall in the main holiday season. Many visitors bring their own kites and boards.
Declare board bags, kite bags or dive equipment when booking and give a rough size. A standard car may not take a long board bag plus suitcases, so the provider can send a minivan instead.
Families and groups
Many families choose Santa Maria for its all-inclusive hotels and gently sloping beach. Child seats can be requested when booking, and groups of up to about seven usually fit in one minivan.
Frequently asked questions
Can the driver take me to an apartment in the pedestrian centre of Santa Maria?
The driver takes you as close as cars are allowed. In car-free streets you are dropped at the nearest accessible point, usually a short walk from the door. Give the full address when booking.
Is the price to Santa Maria fixed?
Yes. The total price is agreed before booking and does not change for a delayed flight or traffic. The indicative range is around €25–35 by car and €40–55 by minivan.
Do I need a minivan for my kitesurf equipment?
Often yes, especially with long board bags and several suitcases. Declare the equipment when booking and the provider will send a vehicle with enough space.
My flight lands late in the evening. Will the driver still be there?
Yes. The driver follows your flight number and waits in arrivals at your actual landing time. Keep your phone on in case the provider calls.
Can I book a ride from Santa Maria to Pedra de Lume or Kite Beach?
Private rides between places on the island can be requested like an airport transfer. The price for your route is shown before you book.
Amílcar Cabral International Airport: arrival and transfer guide