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Hotel Principal

Property class: 2.5

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Photo gallery for Hotel Principal

A bedroom with a white bed, two bedside tables, and a framed picture on the wall. - Hotel Principal (Tarrafal)
A hotel room with a bed, a painting, a small table with chairs, and a view through a window. - Hotel Principal (Tarrafal)
A bathroom with a white sink, a mirror, and a shower. - Hotel Principal (Tarrafal)
A kitchen with orange cabinets, a wooden table, a sink, a stove, and a refrigerator. - Hotel Principal (Tarrafal)
A hotel room with a bed, a bedside table, a nightstand, a painting on the wall, and a view through a window with curtains. - Hotel Principal (Tarrafal)
You can look forward to free continental breakfast, 2 beach bars, and a terrace at Hotel Principal. Stay connected with free in-room WiFi, with speed of 250+ Mbps (good for 3–5 people or up to 10 devices), and guests can find other amenities such as an art gallery on site and a shopping mall on site.

Reviews

7.8 out of 10
Good

Popular amenities

  • Parking included
  • Free WiFi
  • Restaurant
  • Bar
  • Laundry

Off-peak, on budget: 30% or more off select hotels in our fall sale

Skip the crowds, keep the savings. AARP members save more after Labor Day. Book by Oct 7, 2026.

Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 17 of 17 rooms

View all photos for Comfort Double Room

A bedroom with a bed, bedside tables, a wardrobe, and a mirror.

Comfort Double Room

  • City view
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Basic Room

A neatly made bed with a patterned throw, a headboard, and two bedside tables with lamps.

Basic Room

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Basic Room, Non Smoking, Courtyard View

A bedroom with a bed, bedside tables, a refrigerator, and a tiled floor.

Basic Room, Non Smoking, Courtyard View

  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Family Triple Room

A room with a bed, a bedside table, a lamp, and a red rug.

Family Triple Room

  • Mountain view
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Family Studio Suite

A bedroom with a bed, bedside table, wardrobe, and a window with curtains.

Family Studio Suite

  • City view
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Comfort Double Room

A hotel room with a bed, a painting, a small table with chairs, and a view through a window.

Comfort Double Room

  • City view
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Family Quadruple Room

A bunk bed with a ladder, a TV, and a small cabinet.

Family Quadruple Room

  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 8
  • 1 Double Bed OR 2 Double Bunk Beds

View all photos for Comfort Apartment, 2 Bedrooms

A bedroom with a wooden bed, a white chair, a small bedside table, and a wall with a patterned wallpaper.

Comfort Apartment, 2 Bedrooms

  • Mountain view
  • 2 bedrooms
  • Sleeps 5
  • 1 Twin Bed and 2 Double Beds

View all photos for Basic Triple Room, 1 Bedroom

A hotel room with two beds, a desk, a chair, a bedside table, a lamp, and a painting on the wall.

Basic Triple Room, 1 Bedroom

  • City view
  • 23 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 3
  • 3 Twin Beds

View all photos for Comfort Studio Suite

A hotel room with two beds, a desk, a chair, a mirror, and a window with curtains.

Comfort Studio Suite

  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 King Bed and 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Basic Room, 1 Double Bed, Non Smoking, City View

A bedroom with a bed, a nightstand, a window with blue curtains, and an air conditioning unit on the wall.

Basic Room, 1 Double Bed, Non Smoking, City View

  • City view
  • 14 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Family Apartment, Mountain View

A bedroom with a bed, two bedside tables, a nightstand, a wall-mounted air conditioner, and a framed picture on the wall.

Family Apartment, Mountain View

  • Mountain view
  • 46 sq m
  • 2 bedrooms
  • Sleeps 6
  • 2 Double Beds and 2 Twin Beds

View all photos for Basic Double Room, 1 Double Bed, City View

A hotel room with a bed, a bedside table, a nightstand, a painting on the wall, and a view through a window with curtains.

Basic Double Room, 1 Double Bed, City View

  • City view
  • 12 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Basic Double or Twin Room, Non Smoking

A bedroom with a bed, a nightstand, a lamp, a red curtain, and a wall-mounted air conditioner.

Basic Double or Twin Room, Non Smoking

  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Twin Beds

Basic Twin Room

  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Twin Beds

View all photos for Basic Double or Twin Room

A double bed with a patterned bedspread, a bedside table with a lamp, and a wooden nightstand.

Basic Double or Twin Room

  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Twin Beds

View all photos for Basic Room

A bedroom with a bed, a television on a stand, a chair, a small refrigerator, and a wall-mounted red headboard.

Basic Room

  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

About the neighborhood

Located in Tarrafal, Hotel Principal is in the city center and near the beach. Tarrafal Camp is a local landmark, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Serra da Malagueta Nature Park and Tarrafal Beach. Visit our Tarrafal travel guide
Map
Rua Liceu, Tarrafal, Santiago, 7110

What's nearby

  • An aerial view of a coastal area with clear turquoise waters, a sandy beach, and a rocky outcrop.
    Tarrafal Beach
    5 min walk - 0.3 miles
  • Tarrafal Camp
    4 min drive - 2.0 miles
  • Serra da Malagueta Nature Park
    19 min drive - 10.7 miles
  • Grandvaux Barbosa National Botanical Garden
    56 min drive - 33.0 miles
  • Pedra Badejo Beach
    56 min drive - 34.7 miles

Getting around

  • Santiago Island (RAI-Praia Intl.)
    122 min drive

Restaurants

  • Restaurante Cegonha
    2 min walk
  • Kabungo Beach Bar
    9 min walk
  • Restaurante Maracujá
    3 min walk
  • Pizzeria Grill Alto Mira
    6 min walk
  • Churrasqueira Mangue Baxu
    2 min walk

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Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • In-room WiFi speed: 250+ Mbps (good for 3–5 people or up to 10 devices)
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Free secured, uncovered self parking on site

Food and drink

  • Free continental breakfast available daily 7:30 AM to 10:00 AM
  • 2 beach bars
  • A bar/lounge
  • A restaurant

Things to do

  • Art gallery
  • Shopping mall
  • TV in common areas

Family friendly

  • Laundry facilities

Conveniences

  • ATM
  • Guidebooks
  • Laundry facilities
  • Limited-hour front desk
  • Lockers
  • Luggage storage
  • Shared refrigerator
  • Vending machine

Guest services

  • Change of bedsheets (on request)
  • Change of towels on request
  • Dry cleaning/laundry service
  • Housekeeping (on request)
  • Wedding services

Outdoors

  • Barbecue grill
  • In the mountains
  • Outdoor entertainment area
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Picnic area
  • Terrace

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Handrails in stairways
  • Low-height electrical outlets in bathroom
  • Tile flooring in public areas
  • Tile flooring in room
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only
  • Well-lit path to entrance

More

  • 4 floors
  • Communal living room
  • Designated smoking areas
  • Reception hall

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • Hair dryer (on request)
  • Rainfall showerhead
  • Shared bathroom
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Food and drink

  • Limited room service
  • Meal delivery service

More

  • Desk
  • Individual decor
  • Laptop workspace
  • Mobile key entry
  • Water-efficient toilets

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 2:00 PM
Early check-in subject to availability
Contactless check-in available
Late check-in subject to availability
Late check-in fee for check-in between 10:00 AM and 1:00 AM
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before noon
Late check-out subject to availability
A late check-out fee will be charged

Special check-in instructions

The front desk is open daily from 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Guests will receive an email within 24 hours before arrival with check-in instructions; front desk staffed during limited hours
To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property at least 24 hours before arrival using the information on the booking confirmation
Guests driving to the property should contact this property in advance (e.g., directions)
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours)

Pets

No pets or service animals allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are not available

Property payment types

  • Mastercard
  • Visa

Important information

Fees

You'll be asked to pay the following charges at the property. Fees may include applicable taxes:

  • A tax is imposed by the city: CVE 276.00 per person, per night. This tax does not apply to children under 17 years of age.

We have included all charges provided to us by the property.

Optional extras

  • Late check-in fee for check-in between 10:00 AM and 1:00 AM
  • Late check-out is available for a fee (subject to availability)

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards, debit cards, mobile payments, and cash
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a security system, and a first aid kit

We should mention

This property does not have elevators
No pets and no service animals are allowed at this property

Frequently asked questions

Is Hotel Principal pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking?

Self parking is free at this property.

What time is check-in at Hotel Principal?

Check-in begins at 2:00 PM. Late check-in is available from 10:00 AM–1:00 AM for a fee.

What time is check-out at Hotel Principal?

Check-out is at noon. Late check-out is available for a fee (subject to availability).

Where is Hotel Principal located?

Located in the heart of Tarrafal, this hotel is 0.2 mi (0.3 km) from Tarrafal Beach and 1.4 mi (2.2 km) from Tarrafal Camp. Monte Contador and Serra da Malagueta Nature Park are also within 9 mi (15 km).

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Reviews

Hotel Principal Reviews

7.8

Good

8.4

Cleanliness

7.0

Amenities

8.8

Staff & service

7.6

Property conditions & facilities
Rating 10 - Excellent. 6 out of 13 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 13 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 13 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 3 out of 13 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 13 reviews

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Perfect stay

Nice clean room with balcony. All rooms have a Cabo Verde singer’s name instead of a number which is nice to learn more culture about the country. Good breakfast served on the rooftop. Friendly and helpful staff. Would definitely recommend this hotel.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Everything
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Small, clean, efficient rooms. Noise was a major issue as rooms have no noise insulation to stop sounds from hallways. We could hear conversations in the hallway crystal clearly and we lost sleep over this until all guests were asleep. Breakfast was nice. They are trying their best. Nice location close to bakery and mini market.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Personalet
Stayed 16 nights in Jan 2026
Verified review

4/10 Poor

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities
Sol de la chambre sale, salle d’eau-wc aveugle et sans aération (forte odeur),fuite au lavabo, lunette de wc déglinguée, pas d’eau chaude, pas wifi dans la chambre ( faible réception à la réception et bonne réception sur la terrasse du bar-piscine
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026
Verified review

4/10 Poor

Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Hôtel à éviter, pas d'eau.

Je ne recommande pas cet hôtel, nous n'avons pas eu d'eau pendant 24h. Nous avons dû quitter cet hôtel et en trouver un autre en urgence afin de ne pas passer une seconde nuit sans eau.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort

Bon rapport qualité/prix

Hôtel très correct, propre, bien situé et très proche de la plage de Tarrafal. Personnel sympathique et serviable. Chambre assez spacieuse avec une literie confortable. Mais, le petit déjeuner était médiocre et tous les jours on avait quasiment la même chose.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2025
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Cerca de la playa de Tarrafal y de la estación de aluguers. Limpio y buen desayuno
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Séjour très sympathique personnel à l’écoute et à Disposition.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024
Verified review

4/10 Poor

Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025