Escape the ordinary and embark on a rural adventure in the municipality of São Domingos
Situated 17 kilometers from the city of Praia, the municipality of São Domingos is located in the central-southern region of the island of Santiago. Well-known for its small natural nooks and crannies, this rural municipality stands out for its friendly people, who are genuinely hospitable and very faithful to the Catholic religion.
The municipality of São Domingos, also known as a town, offers good options for getting away from the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoying the peace and authenticity of the countryside. That’s why this municipality offers different options to explore and discover, depending on which area you want to visit. So here are a few options of places worth visiting.
Ribeirão de Cal Cave
Very suitable for exploration, this cave, located on the outskirts of São Domingos, offers visitors a unique and unforgettable experience – precisely because it is one of the municipality’s 7 natural wonders.
As a curiosity, this cave is made up of limestone with spectacular formations of stalactites and stalagmites, sculpted by the water over thousands of years, and has two accesses: one from below, from “Mato Dento”, where you have to climb the rocky walls, and another from above, which requires agility to descend into the cave.
Rui Vaz
This area, located in the high mountains of the municipality of São Domingos, is ideal for nature lovers and is well known for its beautiful mountains, valleys and green landscapes, which are rich in vegetation. In addition to the cool climate, the people are also very welcoming.
The town of Rui Vaz is also home to the highest point on the island of Santiago, known as Monte Tchota. The peak has a communication point that serves as an antenna for practically every radio and television station in the country. At an altitude of 642 meters, Monte Tchota offers a 360-degree panoramic view of the island.
You can also go hiking in this area, hiking in the hills, excursions and even walking. In addition to allowing marathons to be held, the town also has a number of challenging routes, with climbs and descents that are favorable for sports enthusiasts.
In addition, the renovated leisure areas and the Rui Vaz viewpoint offer the perfect place to relax and enjoy a family picnic or simply soak up the tranquillity of the surroundings.
For those who want to stay in this town for more than a day, there is the famous Quinta da Montanha guesthouse, a place that offers its guests – in a rural way – a good stay amidst the natural beauty of Rui Vaz.
In addition to this space, it’s important to say that you can also find a number of guesthouses and stopping places throughout the municipality of São Domingos, almost always at a good price. You can also stay in one of the largest resorts in the municipality and perhaps on the island of Santiago, called Sambala, located in the Custa valley.
Sea beaches
First we have the mangrove beach, a somewhat discreet place that is a little out of sight and surrounded by banana plantations. This sea beach, located in the town of Milho Branco, is known for its fine black sand, calm sea and quiet atmosphere.
Secondly, we have the sea beach of Praia Baixo, a fishing area, much visited by tourists and locals, and offering a peaceful and welcoming atmosphere.
A few kilometers from Praia Baixo is the town of Baía, which is also a fishing village and offers some historical sights, such as the church of Alcatraz, which enriches anyone’s general culture, as well as its beautiful beach, without too much current, which incredibly makes it possible to catch a lot of fish almost every day.
In the next article, we’ll continue to uncover more tourist and cultural details of this rich municipality of São Domingos.
