Hotel Riu Palace Boavista
By Priya Anand
Long-Haul & Value Writer · June 2026
Hotel Riu Palace Boavista is one of the best all-inclusive resorts on Boa Vista: a five-star property on the spectacular 4km Praia das Dunas beach, just five minutes from the airport, with four pools (including a heated swim-up-bar pool), well-reviewed à la carte dining, and a genuinely peaceful, uncrowded feel. The rocky near-shore swimming and remote location are the trade-offs. At $190-360 per night it's a strong pick for couples and families who want wild beach beauty over nightlife.
Hotel Riu Palace Boavista Review — Quick Verdict
Hotel Riu Palace Boavista is one of the best all-inclusive resorts on Boa Vista, the wilder, emptier, more dramatic sister island to Sal. It sits directly on Praia das Dunas — a 4-kilometer ribbon of golden sand backed by dunes — and is just a five-minute drive from Boa Vista airport, making it one of the most convenient five-star arrivals in Cape Verde. With four pools (including a heated outdoor pool with a swim-up bar), four restaurants, spacious rooms, and a genuinely peaceful atmosphere, it delivers the laid-back, big-sky beach holiday that Boa Vista does so well.
The trade-offs are the same ones that come with the island itself. There are rocky areas near the shore that limit where you can safely swim, the winds and currents can make the sea hazardous, and Boa Vista is remote — there is very little to do off-resort, and excursion options are thinner than on Sal. For travelers who want a wild, uncrowded beach and a peaceful all-inclusive base, that is the appeal. For those who want a buzzing scene and a walkable town, it is the catch.
Score: 8.5 / 10 — One of Boa Vista’s best. Loses points for rocky near-shore swimming and the island’s remoteness.
Pros and Cons at a Glance
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| On the vast 4km Praia das Dunas beach | Rocky areas near the shore limit swimming |
| Five-minute drive from Boa Vista airport | Very remote — little to do off-resort |
| Four pools incl. heated swim-up-bar pool | Strong winds/currents — sea not always safe |
| Well-reviewed à la carte restaurants | Spirits are local/house brands |
| Spacious, well-equipped rooms | Fewer venues than the bigger Riu Touareg |
| Peaceful and uncrowded | Limited excursion options |
The Resort at a Glance
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Rooms | Spacious doubles and family rooms |
| Restaurants | 4 (buffet + à la carte incl. Fusion/Italian) |
| Bars | Multiple incl. a swim-up bar |
| Pools | 4, incl. a heated outdoor pool with swim-up bar |
| Beach | Direct access to 4km Praia das Dunas |
| Spa | Renova Spa (treatments at extra cost) |
| Airport | ~5 min from Boa Vista (BVC) |
| Chain | RIU Hotels & Resorts (Palace tier) |
Rooms and Suites
Riu Palace Boavista keeps its room categories straightforward, and the consistent feedback is that the rooms are spacious and well-equipped — a genuine strength of the property.
Standard Double Rooms (from $190/night)
The entry-level doubles are roomy, modern, and well-appointed, with a balcony or terrace, air conditioning, a minibar, a safe, and Riu’s signature in-room liquor dispenser. Garden and ocean-view options are available. Guests consistently describe the rooms as spacious and comfortable — there is no sense of being squeezed into a small box here.
Family Rooms
For families, the larger family rooms provide extra bedding and space for children. Combined with the resort’s calm, uncrowded feel, they make Riu Palace Boavista a relaxed family base — just be mindful of the rocky near-shore areas when planning beach time with young swimmers.
Our Pick
A standard ocean-view double delivers the core experience and the views that make Boa Vista special. Families should book a family room for the extra space.
Food and Dining at Riu Palace Boavista
Riu Palace Boavista runs four restaurants on a 24-hour all-inclusive plan, and the dining draws consistently positive reviews — the à la carte restaurants in particular are praised for beautiful presentation and well-cooked dishes.
The Main Buffet
The central buffet serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner with international cuisine, fresh seafood, and a wide spread. Guests describe the meals as high-quality, varied, and well-presented, with a notable emphasis on cleanliness and food safety. For a remote-island resort, the buffet operation is reliably good.
The À La Carte Restaurants (Included)
The three à la carte venues — including Fusion and Italian options — are the dining highlight here, and all are included. Reviewers single them out for their presentation and execution. Fresh seafood and Italian favorites feature prominently, and because Boa Vista resorts are smaller and quieter than Sal’s, the à la carte restaurants tend to be easier to get into than at the busier mainland-island properties.
Bars and Drinks
Multiple bars across the property, including a swim-up bar at the heated pool, keep the drinks flowing. As across Cape Verde, the spirits are predominantly local and house brands rather than imported premium labels — cocktails, beer, and wine are all included and perfectly drinkable, but premium-spirit drinkers should temper expectations.
Food Quality Verdict
Strong for the destination. The buffet is clean, varied, and well-run, and the included à la carte restaurants genuinely impress on presentation and quality. With fewer guests than the big Sal resorts, the dining experience feels less rushed. This is one of the better-eating all-inclusives in Cape Verde.
Beach and Pools
The Beach
Praia das Dunas is the headline. This is a 4-kilometer stretch of golden sand backed by dunes — wild, expansive, and gloriously uncrowded, the kind of beach where you can walk for an hour and barely see another soul. It is genuinely one of Boa Vista’s best, and the resort fronts it directly.
The honest caveat is important: there are rocky areas close to the shore that limit safe swimming spots, and Boa Vista’s strong winds and currents mean the sea is not always safe to swim in. The beach is spectacular for walking, photography, and watersports, but for guaranteed safe swimming, the pools are your reliable option. Always heed the flags and local advice before going in the water.
Pools
Four pools give you plenty of options, including a heated outdoor pool with a swim-up bar — a genuine plus given Boa Vista’s breeze, since heated water makes a real difference on windier days. The pools are the dependable swimming choice when the sea is rough, and the swim-up bar is the social hub. The pool areas are spacious and rarely crowded.
Activities and Entertainment
Daytime
The daytime program covers the usual Riu animation — pool activities, sports, and fitness — plus watersports off the beach (instructor-led and motorized activities are extra). Boa Vista is excellent for windsurfing and kitesurfing, and the island is famous for turtle nesting and whale watching in season, both of which make for memorable excursions. Just know that off-resort options are limited compared to Sal: a desert/dune tour, the shipwreck at Santa Monica beach, and turtle or whale excursions are the main draws.
Evening
Riu runs nightly entertainment with live music and shows, including Cape Verdean musical elements in the local programming. It is competent and family-friendly. Because Boa Vista is so remote, the resort is effectively your evening world — there is no walkable town nightlife as there is at Santa Maria on Sal. For travelers who want peace and early nights, that is a feature; for those who want a buzzing scene, it is a limitation.
Spa and Wellness
The on-site Renova Spa offers massages, facials, and body treatments at additional cost, alongside a fitness area. It is a solid spa for a relaxing afternoon — fitting for a resort whose whole appeal is slowing down on a wild, empty beach.
What Is Included vs. What Costs Extra
| Included | Costs Extra |
|---|---|
| All meals at all 4 restaurants | Spa treatments and massages |
| 24-hour all-inclusive food service | Motorized watersports |
| Local/house spirits, beer, wine, cocktails | Kitesurf/windsurf lessons |
| Swim-up bar | Turtle/whale/island excursions |
| Four pools (incl. heated) | Premium imported spirits |
| Daytime activities and entertainment | Babysitting |
| Nightly shows and live music | |
| WiFi |
Pricing and How to Book
Price Ranges by Season
| Season | Months | Standard Double | Family Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peak | Dec-Jan, Easter, Aug | $290-360 | $360-450 |
| Shoulder | Feb-Apr, Oct-Nov | $230-290 | $290-360 |
| Low | May-Jul, Sep | $190-250 | $250-320 |
Prices are approximate USD per night for two adults, all-inclusive.
Best Time to Visit
Boa Vista is warm year-round. November through April brings the strongest trade winds (and the best windsurfing/kitesurfing); August through October is hottest and calmest. Turtle nesting season runs roughly June to October, while humpback whales pass by in spring — both are bucket-list reasons to time a Boa Vista trip. For warm weather and value, May through July or September work well.
Best Time to Book
Book three to four months ahead for Christmas, Easter, and August. Boa Vista has fewer resorts than Sal, so peak-season availability tightens quickly.
Where to Book
- Booking.com — Competitive rates and flexible cancellation
- Direct at riu.com — Best for Riu Class loyalty perks
- TUI / Jet2 Holidays — Strong flight-inclusive packages from the UK (Boa Vista is a major TUI destination)
Check latest prices at Riu Palace Boavista →
Compared to Nearby Resorts
Hotel Riu Touareg is Riu Palace Boavista’s bigger sister on the island, sitting on Santa Mónica beach with six restaurants, more pools, and dedicated adults-only and family zones. Touareg is the larger, more feature-packed mega-resort; Riu Palace Boavista is the more streamlined, arguably more polished Palace-tier product. If you want maximum facilities and zoning, choose Touareg; if you want a cleaner, calmer five-star feel, Riu Palace Boavista wins.
Hotel Riu Palace Santa Maria on Sal is the cross-island comparison. Sal is busier, more developed, and has a walkable town with watersports and dining off-resort; Boa Vista is wilder, emptier, and more remote. Choose Riu Palace Boavista if you want unspoiled beach and peace; choose Riu Palace Santa Maria if you want more to do and a livelier base.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you swim in the sea at Riu Palace Boavista?
Sometimes, but not always. Praia das Dunas is spectacular, but there are rocky areas near the shore and Boa Vista’s strong winds and currents can make the sea unsafe. Always check the flags and local advice. When the sea is rough, the four pools — including the heated one — are your reliable swimming option.
How far is the resort from the airport?
Just a five-minute drive from Boa Vista airport (BVC) — one of the most convenient five-star arrivals in Cape Verde. Transfers are quick and easy to arrange.
Is Boa Vista boring compared to Sal?
It is quieter and more remote, with limited off-resort activities. There is no walkable town nightlife as at Santa Maria on Sal. If you want peace, wild beaches, turtle and whale watching, and an uncrowded resort, Boa Vista is ideal. If you want a buzzing scene and lots to do, Sal is the better fit.
Are the drinks and food all included?
Yes — all four restaurants and the bars are included on the 24-hour all-inclusive plan, with no surcharge dining. The spirits are local/house brands, standard for Cape Verde. The à la carte restaurants are a genuine highlight.
When can I see turtles or whales?
Turtle nesting season runs roughly June to October on Boa Vista’s beaches, and humpback whales pass the island in spring. Both are popular excursions and a real reason to choose Boa Vista over Sal. Book through reputable, conservation-minded operators.
Is it good for families?
Yes, with one caveat. The spacious family rooms, calm atmosphere, and pools make it a relaxed family base — but the rocky near-shore swimming and strong currents mean you will rely on the pools for kids’ water time. Families wanting a water park should consider Riu Touareg or Sal’s Meliá Dunas.
Final Verdict
8.5 / 10 — Hotel Riu Palace Boavista is one of the best all-inclusive resorts on Boa Vista and a standout for travelers who prize wild beach beauty over nightlife.
The fundamentals are excellent: a five-star Palace-tier resort directly on the spectacular 4-kilometer Praia das Dunas beach, just five minutes from the airport, with four pools (including a heated swim-up-bar pool), spacious rooms, and genuinely well-reviewed à la carte dining. The atmosphere is peaceful and uncrowded — exactly what Boa Vista does best.
The caveats are inseparable from the island itself: rocky near-shore swimming, strong winds and currents that can close the sea, remoteness with limited off-resort options, and local-brand spirits. If those read as drawbacks, Sal is your island; if they read as the price of an unspoiled escape, Boa Vista — and this resort — will delight you.
Who should book: Couples, honeymooners, and families who want a peaceful, beautiful, uncrowded beach resort with strong dining, and travelers drawn by turtle and whale watching.
Who should skip: Anyone who needs reliable, safe sea swimming every day; travelers who want a walkable town and nightlife (choose Sal’s Riu Palace Santa Maria); and families set on a water park (consider Riu Touareg).
For the full island picture, see our Cape Verde all-inclusive destination guide and our ranked best all-inclusive resorts in Cape Verde.
Check latest prices at Riu Palace Boavista →