Traveling Around Sal is straightforward once you know the ropes. Here’s your complete guide to traveling between Santa Maria and Palmeira.
For those opting for public transportation, there are Hiace vans available from 8 am till Midnight. Shuttling between Santa Maria and Espargos for 120$ escudos or €1.20. Pick-up in Santa Maria is adjacent to the BCA Bank at the town’s entrance. While in Espargos, it’s in front of the municipal building (Câmara), as indicated on the provided picture and map. Vans depart when full, so a bit of patience might be necessary, but they typically fill up swiftly. It’s advisable to carry change as drivers often may not have any. Additionally, passengers can request to be dropped off at intermediate points such as Murdeira Bay or the airport for the same fare.
Similarly, these vans facilitate travel between Espargos and Palmeira for 60$ escudos or €0.60. The pick-up point in Espargos is just around the corner from the drop-off location, while in Palmeira, it’s at the town’s entrance, as marked on the map provided.
Taxi Prices
Here is the official price list from the local government in Escudos (100$ = €1) for taxi fares on Sal. (Updated Feb 2024)
| Locations | Day | Night |
| Airport – Espargos (Entrance) | 300$ | 350$ |
| Airport – Espargos (Central Areas) | 350$ | 400$ |
| Airport – Espargos (Pretória / Chã Matias) | 400$ | 450$ |
| Airport – Murdeira | 800$ | 1000$ |
| Airport – Palha Verde | 800$ | 1000$ |
| Airport – Vila Verde | 1000$ | 1200$ |
| Airport – Santa Maria (Center) | 1000$ | 1200$ |
| Airport – Santa Maria (António Sousa) | 1100$ | 1300$ |
| Airport – Pedra de Lume | 500$ | 650$ |
| Airport – Palmeira | 500$ | 650$ |
| Espargos – Within Espargos | 150$ | 200$ |
| Preguiça – Murdeira | 700$ | 850$ |
| Preguiça – Santa Maria | 1100$ | 1300$ |
| Preguiça – Pedra de Lume | 300$ | 400$ |
| Preguiça – Palmeira | 300$ | 400$ |
| Preguiça – Calheta Funda | 1200$ | 1400$ |
| Santa Maria – Within Santa Maria | 150$ | 200$ |
| Santa Maria – Hotel Road | 250$ | 350$ |
| Santa Maria – Riu Hotels | 300$ | 400$ |
| Santa Maria – Palmeira | 1400$ | 1600$ |
| Santa Maria – Pedra de Lume | 1400$ | 1600$ |
| Santa Maria – Murdeira | 700$ | 850$ |
| Santa Maria – Paradise Beach | 400$ | 500$ |
| Santa Maria – Mélia Hotels | 350$ | 450$ |
| Santa Maria – Vila Verde | 300$ | 400$ |
| Santa Maria – Igrejinha | 500$ | 700$ |
| Santa Maria – Kite Beach | 700$ | 900$ |
| Santa Maria – Ponta Preta | 500$ | 700$ |
| Palmeira – Pedra Lume | 700$ | 900$ |
| Palmeira – Murdeira | 900$ | 1100$ |
| Pedra Lume – Murdeira | 900$ | 1100$ |
