Approximate real costs of a trip to Sal Island
One of the most common questions before travelling to Sal is straightforward:
Is it expensive? Is it cheap? Will I end up spending more than I expect?
The short answer is: it depends on how you travel.
The longer answer is the one that really matters, because costs in Sal are not extreme, but they don’t always work the way people imagine.
Let’s look at realistic ranges and, above all, real context.
Before talking about prices: one key idea
In Sal, you usually don’t spend a lot all at once, but you do spend small amounts every day. That changes how the budget feels.
It’s not a destination with constant big shocks, but it’s not “dirt cheap” either.
In Sal, money doesn’t disappear all at once — it goes little by little.
Flights and accommodation: the base of the budget
This is where most of the budget goes, and where costs vary the most.
In general terms:
- the flight is usually the biggest expense,
- accommodation depends heavily on area and type,
- booking in advance makes a noticeable difference.
A well-planned trip doesn’t spiral out of control, but last-minute decisions in high season can increase costs quickly.
Food and daily expenses: what you really spend
Day-to-day costs are quite manageable if you don’t stick exclusively to the most touristy places.
You can find:
- simple meals at reasonable prices,
- tourist restaurants that are more expensive,
- middle-ground options without surprises.
Here, spending depends more on your habits than on the destination itself.
In Sal, you don’t spend out of obligation — you spend by choice.
Transport and activities: adjusting without giving up
Getting around the island and doing activities doesn’t have to break the budget.
Typical expenses come from:
- occasional taxi rides,
- the odd organised excursion,
- specific activities or entrance fees.
Choosing what to do — and what not to do — matters more than individual prices.
Approximate daily budget: numbers without drama
Rather than listing isolated prices, it’s more useful to think in daily spending ranges.
Very roughly, daily costs tend to follow three profiles:
- Budget-focused trip
Simple accommodation, local food, minimal transport.
Daily spending is moderate and predictable. - Comfortable trip
Good accommodation, mix of local and tourist restaurants, some activities.
This is the most common and balanced profile. - No-compromise trip
Hotels, frequent tourist restaurants, car rental or daily excursions.
Costs rise quickly, but through conscious choices.
It’s not Sal that decides how much you spend — you do.
In Sal, the budget is shaped more by travel style than by necessity.
What usually increases costs without you noticing
Some habits quietly push the budget up:
- eating only in very touristy areas,
- moving around without planning routes,
- booking excursions every single day,
- paying for convenience when it’s not needed.
None of these are serious mistakes, but they do add up.
What often comes as a pleasant surprise
There are also factors that work in your favour:
- short distances that don’t require big transport costs,
- simple activities that are affordable,
- the ability to slow down without losing the experience.
Not everything requires constant spending.
Is Sal an expensive destination?
The honest answer is: not particularly, but it’s not a classic “cheap” destination either.
Sal sits somewhere in the middle:
- no constant extreme prices,
- some clearly tourist-oriented costs,
- a cost of living different from Europe.
Travellers expecting ultra-low prices often feel disappointed.
Those with realistic expectations usually get it right.
Final recommendation
Talking about costs in Sal isn’t about finding the perfect number, but about understanding how spending is distributed throughout the trip.
Flights and accommodation set the baseline.
Daily expenses are flexible.
Your choices on the island matter more than prices themselves.
Travel with a flexible budget and realistic expectations.
Sal doesn’t demand high spending, but it doesn’t reward careless improvisation either.
If you know how you want to travel before arriving, budget stops being a worry and becomes just another tool to enjoy the island calmly.
