Common mistakes when travelling to Sal Island (and how to avoid them)
Many of the problems people mention after returning from Sal have nothing to do with the island itself, but with poorly adjusted expectations.
They are not serious mistakes, nothing dramatic. They are small misunderstandings that, combined, can wear the trip down if you don’t see them coming.
This article isn’t about scolding anyone, but about saving you from avoidable frustration.
Mistake 1: arriving with expectations of a different destination
Sal is not:
- a massive resort,
- a “checklist” island,
- nor an urban destination packed with constant activities.
Expecting that often leads to disappointment — not because Sal fails, but because it doesn’t play that game.
The first mistake isn’t Sal — it’s bringing another destination in your head.
Mistake 2: assuming everything is immediate
One of the most common culture shocks is time:
- services that take longer,
- plans that don’t start exactly on time,
- answers that arrive “later”.
This isn’t disinterest or disorganisation. It’s a different relationship with rhythm.
Those who arrive in a rush struggle.
Those who arrive with margin, adapt.
Mistake 3: planning the trip like a task list
Trying to “make the most of time” by filling every day usually creates the opposite effect:
- fatigue,
- frustration,
- a constant feeling of falling behind.
Sal isn’t enjoyed by doing more things, but by doing fewer things more calmly.
In Sal, tightening the schedule often loosens the experience.
Mistake 4: arriving without basic information
Sal is simple, but it’s not automatic.
Arriving without knowing:
- how to get around,
- how payments work,
- which areas offer more services,
rarely ends badly, but it does create unnecessary stress during the first days.
Reading a few practical articles before flying already makes a big difference.
Mistake 5: moving without criteria (or with too much of it)
Two extremes tend to fail:
- not planning anything and relying entirely on last-minute decisions,
- planning everything and refusing to adapt once there.
Sal works best with a middle ground: knowing the basics and leaving room to adjust.
In Sal, neither total improvisation nor absolute control usually works well.
Mistake 6: spending without noticing (or worrying too much)
Some travellers feel they spend more than expected. Others feel they’re constantly watching their money.
Both sensations come from the same place: not having clear references.
Knowing approximate price ranges helps to:
- avoid surprises,
- avoid unnecessary restrictions,
- enjoy the trip with peace of mind.
Mistake 7: constantly comparing everything to “back home”
This is one of the quietest — and most common — mistakes.
Comparing:
- schedules,
- services,
- attention,
- rhythms,
becomes exhausting. Not because Sal is worse, but because it doesn’t work the same way.
The sooner you stop comparing, the sooner the trip really begins.
Final recommendation
Most mistakes when travelling to Sal are neither serious nor irreversible. They don’t ruin the trip, but they can slowly wear it down if you don’t recognise them early.
Almost all of them come from the same source: arriving in a rush, with rigid expectations, or assuming everything should work like elsewhere.
Arrive with basic information and mental margin.
Sal doesn’t demand big adjustments, but it does reward flexibility.
Once you understand how the island works — its timing, its limits and its silences — many “problems” stop being problems.
What once felt like a mistake simply becomes part of the journey.
