Places of interest
Pedra de Lume - This is where you can take a mud bath and look like beached seals or scuba divers in wet suites when you are drying off in the mud. One of the boys that shows you what to do and offers to wash you down with a massage may ask for 10 escudos each, but you can negotiate, we generously offered (haggled) 5escudos each. There isn't a fee to go in and take a look around or to bathe in the water and you don't have to have the mud wash.
I don't know whether the guy that helped us was officially working there, its quite funny when I think about it, I wouldn't let a strange guy rub me down in mud at a Spa unless I knew he worked there, and that was his job!.
I would suggest :
• You didn't go there for a mud bath in the afternoon during the hotter months.
• I would recommend you take plenty of drinking water with you.
• Don't wear light coloured swimming costumes, the mud is difficult to wash out.
• Re above: Same for towels
• Use the mud that is smooth and without grit in, there are certain areas that are best.
• just have a bathe
• you can just go for a look around if you don't want to bathe.
You have to pay another one euro to wash yourself off in the shower afterwards; this is an external shower facility so you can’t strip off. There is a toilet and sink which has some privacy. There is a small café facility there, not sure when it is open or closed. There is a nice restaurant on the beach in the village area which you can visit afterwards (not sure of opening hours), I understand it is quite popular on a Sunday.
A number of tours are now organized via hotels which take people to Pedra de Lume, so you may want to make your own way when it is less busy. There isn't a regular Aluger service between Pedra de Lume and Espargos, so getting there may be a problem unless you can pre arrange a taxi.
Espargos - The capital of the island. It's cheaper to live here than in Santa Maria. Many of the people from the other islands who come to live on Sal live in Espargos, professionals as well as manual/laborer workers. The food and accommodation is cheaper.
There are areas of deprivation behind Espargos, as can be seen on some websites in photos showing the tin shacks with no doors or windows. When I first visited Sal we hired a vehicle and came across it while driving around; children started chasing after our vehicle probably looking for sweets or dinheiro. I do realize that it is a sensitive situation, so would not generally recommend that people do not go there as tourists.
Palmeira - Where the port is situated. Small fishing boats, yachts of various sizes and cargo ships pull in here.
Buracona - Where the 'blue eye' is to be found, situated approx 6km from Palmeira. At a particular time in the day the sea which finds its way through the lava rock sparkles a magnificent blue colour.
Cultural Centre - it is just passed the square.
Cabocan - Visit their website or their office on Sal to look at the development on the south west coast. They should be able to show you exactly which developers they are working in partnership with. I understand they should also be able to provide proof that partner developments have had approval and the official stamp of the Camara Municipal to build the development.
Desalinization - these projects are important to all that live, work and invest on Sal. A number of developments who do not have a partnership with Cabocan will build their own desalinization plant.
Pier - The pier which is in most photos is being replaced by a new one, so you will not be able to see the kids fishing or jumping in to the sea from it for the next 6 months (or it could be longer) I am told.
Churches - There are a few churches where visitors are welcome to attend and either join in or quietly stand at the back. The services are worth going along to.
