Amílcar Cabral International Airport
Espargos, Cape Verde
Amílcar Cabral International Airport
Cape Verde's busiest international gateway on Sal Island.
- ›Named after Amílcar Cabral, the anti-colonial leader and founding figure of Cape Verdean independence.
- ›Sal Island's flat, arid landscape made it a historically significant refueling stop for transatlantic flights.
- ›The airport is one of two main international airports in Cape Verde, alongside Nelson Mandela International on Santiago Island.
- ›It serves as a key entry point for tourists heading to Santa Maria beach resort.
- ›The IATA code SID refers to Sal Island District, the island's common nickname.
Amílcar Cabral International Airport, named after the celebrated Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde independence leader, serves as the primary international hub for the Sal island and one of the busiest entry points into the Cape Verde archipelago. Opened in 1968 and later expanded to handle growing European charter and scheduled traffic, it plays a central role in the islands' tourism-driven economy. Situated near the salt-flat town of Espargos, the airport connects Cape Verde with Europe, West Africa, and the Americas.
- Main Terminal — Single integrated terminal handling both international and domestic arrivals and departures, with duty-free retail, dining, and car rental desks.
- Shared aluguer (collective taxi) minivans to Santa Maria and Espargos town centre
- Private taxis available at the arrivals forecourt for direct hotel transfers
- Hotel shuttle buses operated by major resorts in Santa Maria
- Car rental desks from Avis, Hertz, and local operators inside the arrivals hall
- Riu Garopa (Santa Maria)
- Meliá Tortuga Beach Resort (Santa Maria)
- Odjo d'Agua Hotel (Santa Maria)
- Dunas de Sal (Santa Maria)
- Hotel Morabeza (Santa Maria)
Inside the terminal, options are limited to a small café and snack bar serving sandwiches, pastries, and local soft drinks, so travellers are advised to eat before arriving. The nearby town of Espargos offers simple local restaurants serving cachupa, the national stew, and grilled fish at affordable prices. Santa Maria, approximately 17 km south, has a wide range of beachfront restaurants and bars catering to international tastes.
- Exchange currency or use the ATM inside the terminal before leaving, as options in Espargos town are limited.
- Book shared aluguer taxis in advance or agree a firm fare with private taxi drivers before departing the forecourt.
- The harmattan wind can occasionally reduce visibility; check your flight status before travelling to the airport.
- Cape Verde uses the escudo (CVE); euros are widely accepted in tourist areas but change may be given in escudos.
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Amílcar Cabral International Airport, also known as Sal International Airport, is the main international airport of Cape Verde. The airport is named after the revolutionary leader Amílcar Cabral. It is located 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) west-southwest from Espargos on Sal Island. Sal is the main hub for the national airline, Cabo Verde Airlines; and serves as a base for carrier Cabo Verde Express. This airport was also one of NASA's locations for a facility to handle the Space Shuttle after reentering from orbit.
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