Vila Verde Supermarket is a small resort-area grocery shop: clean, convenient, with fresh bread and basics. But it’s expensive and often criticised for shelf-to-till price differences and poor labelling. Check receipts, avoid frozen items, and buy only what you need.

Tendetudo is a well-organised Santa Maria supermarket with competitive prices, solid variety and unusually good Italian products for Sal. It isn’t built for tourists and it can get hot inside, but it’s excellent for practical, full everyday shopping here overall.

Supermercado Sucata in Ribeira Funda is one of Sal’s largest supermarkets, offering wide variety, a café and generally lower prices than Santa Maria. Watch for confusing labels and unclear pricing: check shelves carefully and ask before paying at the till.

Supermarket Zhang is a Rua Lombinha general store offering good variety, fresh fruit and local products. Open daily and useful in a pinch, but watch for card surcharges, double-check change and receipts, and expect service that isn’t always welcoming.

Supermarket Distri is a clean, well-located mini market in Santa Maria, ideal for daily essentials. Great bread, decent fruit and fair local prices. Check fresh items and always review the receipt, and bring patience: the checkout can move slowly, but it often pays off.

Super Mercado Huang is one of the largest and best-stocked supermarkets in Santa Maria. Good variety, generally lower prices and card payments accepted. Service isn’t friendly and exchange rates are worth checking, but for a big grocery shop it’s often the most practical choice.

SOCOL Shopping Center in Espargos isn’t a mall as most people know it, but a practical spot with a few shops and basic services. Handy for electronics and hardware. Keep expectations realistic: you’ll see it fast, but it can save you.

Mini Mercado Murdeira is a small grocery shop that covers the essentials when there are few nearby options. Friendly service, a surprisingly good range and local products. Watch the prices, check fresh items, and avoid driving to Espargos if possible.

Santa Maria Municipal Market is a small, quiet covered market with fruit, souvenirs and a few genuinely local shops. The building is lovely, but many stalls are closed and prices can run high. Best visited only if you’re nearby and expectation-proof.

Espargos Municipal Market is an authentic local market for fruit, vegetables, fish and meat. Lively atmosphere, real produce and neighbourhood tradition. Not always tidy or predictable, but it shows how the island truly shops and eats — without the tourist filter.

Cazu Supermarket is one of the most complete supermarkets in Santa Maria’s tourist area. Good variety and reasonable prices compared to nearby shops, though not always cheap. Functional, practical, and useful for weekly shopping without too many surprises.

Ibtutech is a tech shop in Santa Maria specialising in fast repairs, local SIM cards, and urgent tech solutions. Professional service, quick responses, and a practical approach. Ideal when your phone, laptop, or tablet decides to fail right in the middle of your holiday.