Assomada Market Day & Boa Entrada

Market life, local culture and the kapok tree of Boa Entrada: a day trip into Santiago's lively interior, every Wednesday and Saturday.

What you'll do

We leave Praia for Assomada, Santiago's second city and the lively heart of the island's interior. With your local guide you explore the market, where farmers and traders from across the region sell vegetables, fruit, herbs and handmade products. We then drive 2 km to Boa Entrada to see the iconic kapok tree (locally called 'poilon'), one of the largest trees on Santiago. The tour ends with a local lunch before we drive back to Praia.

Route and duration

Praia → Assomada market and town centre → Boa Entrada (kapok tree) → local lunch → back to Praia. Allow about 5 to 6 hours, including the drive from Praia.

Market days: Wednesday and Saturday

This tour is all about the market, and the market is at its liveliest on Wednesdays and Saturdays. That's why we only run this tour on those two days, so you see Assomada at its best.

Pick-up in Praia

We pick you up from your hotel or accommodation in Praia, where operationally possible, and drop you back at the end of the day.

Who this tour is for

This tour suits travellers who want to see more of Santiago than beaches and hikes, and who are interested in local culture and everyday life. It is not a hike or a walking tour: the effort is light (physical difficulty: easy) and no hiking experience is needed. Maximum 8 participants per group.

What to wear and bring

• Cash (CVE) for the market; card payments are not accepted


• Comfortable clothing and shoes


• Sunscreen and a hat or cap


• A water bottle

Market purchases at your own expense

Anything you buy at the market itself (food, souvenirs, handmade products) is at your own expense and not included in the tour price.

Praktische verwachtingen

Ask permission before photographing people at the market. Santiago's interior is warmer than the coast, so sun protection is recommended. The market atmosphere is lively and authentic: no tourist dressing-up, just a working market town.

Why go with a local guide

A local guide adds most value through context: what you see at the market, how the local community works, and practical details such as the best time to arrive. For travellers short on time, or who would rather not work out how to get there themselves, this guided day trip is the relaxed option.