Riu Karamboa

This was my 4 visit to Cape Verde I 1st went to Boa Vista 2016 returned 2018 went to Sal 2024 and back to Boa Vista 2025 the hotel was by far one of the best hotels I have stayed in on holiday and the staff were outstanding, great place...

This was my 4 visit to Cape Verde I 1st went to Boa Vista 2016 returned 2018 went to Sal 2024 and back to Boa Vista 2025 the hotel was by far one of the best hotels I have stayed in on holiday and the staff were outstanding, great place just to chill out and enjoy a two week holiday. after all we all deserve a holiday and the RIU Karamboa will not let you down would highly recommend this hotel despite its size it felt smaller and more personal than you would expect..

Brilliant holiday. No shops, so did not need a lot of money. The trips are very good and relaxing. Food was very nice and a lot of choice. Perfect for a really chilled out holiday. Have booked again for 2025.Nothing to complain about. Staff very helpful and go the extra...

Brilliant holiday. No shops, so did not need a lot of money. The trips are very good and relaxing. Food was very nice and a lot of choice. Perfect for a really chilled out holiday. Have booked again for 2025.Nothing to complain about. Staff very helpful and go the extra mile to please you.

We arrived by taxi to the Hotel to be told our room wasn't ready, as were quite a few other people, this was 3pm. Eventually after about one and a half hours our room was ready. We were shown to a ground floor double bed room which was not acceptable...

We arrived by taxi to the Hotel to be told our room wasn't ready, as were quite a few other people, this was 3pm. Eventually after about one and a half hours our room was ready. We were shown to a ground floor double bed room which was not acceptable as TUI had assured us that we would definitely be given a second floor twin bed room. We were then taken to a third floor double bedroom, again, not acceptable, due to TUI assuring us that our needs would be met. After a protracted "discussion" with the management, and being told that no twin bedrooms were available (in an Hotel of nearly 1000 rooms) one suddenly became available when I said we were quite prepared to sleep in reception if necessary! I was then told to take the matter up with TUI, to which I replied they should take it up with TUI if TUI were promising what Karamboa could not deliver. The room at first sight looked light and clean (more of later). We settled in, and next day headed for the sunbeds, passing ground workers tree cutting. The man on the ground beckoned my husband through, but did not tell the tree cutter, forcing him to sidestep and fall over a raised flagstone which was broken as well. He cut his nose and split his lip in the fall and had to see the resident Doctor to stem the flow of blood. None of the resident staff were in the least concerned, and it took a Danish TUI rep called Peter to take, and record details of the incident. Back to room cleanliness, there was a large stain on the floor which had been there for sometime, when we tried to clean it the wipes became black. The floor had obviously not been cleaned for weeks. We rang reception to report it, and it was cleaned. Also had to ring on several occasions for towels and water. The food in the Hotel was superb, plenty of choice for everybody, that is if you could get to it, and find somewhere to sit, but the Rose wine was watered down to an inch of its' life. There were far too many people for the size of the Dining Room, and very little room between tables. The towels are stained and a suspicion that they are not cleaned. The distance between facilities is immense, so anyone with walking difficulties will have trouble. To sum up, the Hotel is far too big for the too few staff to cope with. This was our first visit to Karamboa, and needless to say it will be the last.

First time in Cape Verde (Boa Vista) and we booked this hotel based on the reviews and it being adult's only. The airport process (arrivals and departures) was absolutely fine – we saw some comments regarding travellers booking taxi's to beat the crowds but our experience was very good, the...

First time in Cape Verde (Boa Vista) and we booked this hotel based on the reviews and it being adult's only. The airport process (arrivals and departures) was absolutely fine – we saw some comments regarding travellers booking taxi's to beat the crowds but our experience was very good, the transfers were included in our package and there was no problem and/or excessive queues or wait times. The hotel itself is nice - the grounds, rooms and facilities are all kept very clean and decor was of a good standard. All the staff are very friendly and extremely hard working. From our lovely room cleaner to the waiting staff and all that RIU employ are a credit to this hotel. The food - lots of choice, you will not starve at this hotel. From breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner there is plenty of choice on offer and all of a good quality. Hotel checkin / checkout was good – staff also delivered and collected our luggage so not sure where comments have come from regarding that you have to lug your own suitcases as this is not the case. They were delivered as well as collected as quick as 10 minutes. All in all, for the price we paid for two weeks through TUI you cannot complain at the value with what this hotel offers. HOWEVER for us the resort is not for us, whilst it is more than adequate and has a lot to offer guests and recieves high repeat custom, for the below reasons we would not return: - Hotel is too big and busy (nearly 2k guests at any one time). - There is no quiet place and/or beach bar to relax and enjoy a lovely drink whilst looking out to the beautiful beach and ocean. - If you have mobility issues there are no lifts and lots of stairs. The front of house accommodated our request being brought in a block closer to the main area which was much appreciated. - Meal times (breakfast lunch and dinner) was not a nice experience, whilst the food is good you would think people have never seen food before - very busy during all times with long queues, guests not looking where they are going or even having the basic of manners. Also the poolside snacks where you have chips, burgers etc (pepes grill) were ok, however if you didn’t get the items when first cooked they sat for a long time and would be covered in flies. - Cocktails were not good – use of premix and just werent the usual cocktail that you expect. However the beer, wine and spirits with mixer were more than adequet. - The plaza bars / entertainment was again good but this area is where all the entertainment happens so again busy, very noisy and you need to be quick to grab a seat. - The 3 x restaurants you can book are hard to get a table unless you stay up and dive into the RIU app at midnight and are ready to set an alarm for this time. The sittings are also either very early or very late. We managed to try the Asian which was buffet (not great). However I would suggest that the hotel look at a fairer way to allow guests to book or because they are buffet, have them open as an alternative buffet option for dinner service to reduce some of the pressure from the main buffet. - Beach - it would be lovely to have a dining / bar option to enjoy. You feel quite disconnected from the beach. Yes there are sun loungers however to use the toilet and/or get a drink you have to walk back to the resort pool areas which is fine but would be more enjoyable if everything was a bit more connected. We did think that the current dive centre would be a perfect building to house a beach bar and toilets. - The sunloungers around the pool being metal and having arms caused very many bruises (not just us, but other guests too) – The beach beds are a much better option and much more comfortable. As mentioned above, there is nothing majorly wrong with this hotel - it's just not for us. We will definately come back to Cape Verde to try and find our “fly and flop” hotel which hits all the marks we look for in our holiday.

We arrived at hotel Karamboa on 21 February for a weeks stay via a 7 minute transfer from airport. First impression was of a very grandiose hotel with a very large entrance lobby impressively decorated. Check in took about 10 minutes the staff were very helpful and informative. We were...

We arrived at hotel Karamboa on 21 February for a weeks stay via a 7 minute transfer from airport. First impression was of a very grandiose hotel with a very large entrance lobby impressively decorated. Check in took about 10 minutes the staff were very helpful and informative. We were given a room 6025 to the extreme right of the complex unfortunately there was a very strong wind blowing (varying throughout our stay) onto the balcony and made sitting on the balcony a bit uncomfortable. We asked to be moved this happened the next day, to a room 5054 on the other side of the building. The room was very large and clean, with very comfortable beds and decorated very nicely, this was the biggest issue on our stay and was dealt with in a very friendly and professional manner. Everything else on our stay was exceptional, great food plenty of bars (local bear and spirits) The first night Friday 28ths entertainment was called White Night it was fantastic if you like banging music and dancing amazing costumes both girl’s and boy’s, (shame there weren’t more such evenings)The rest of the week’s entertainment wasn’t quite as impressive though. Brilliant swim up bars and pool’s plenty of sun beds on the pool surround’s and on the lovely palm tree covered white sandy beach. All the staff were very helpful always a smile and a professional attitude. A number of small issues, towels occasionally missing and one sink was reported because there was a bit of a smell coming from the plug hole, ( not resolved). A shortage of international spirits in the bars( as opposed to RIU Palace next door who carry a good selection), also there are no seats/benches in the gardens and garden walkways for you to rest and appreciate the garden areas. Karaoke has got to be a” no,no” as entertainment for the rest of us !!!!! Overall we had a really lovely holiday, thank you Karamboa

Really enjoyed a week at this hotel. Only a short distance from airport, so transfer was quick but apart from occasional plane in distant sky you wouldn't know you were that close. Reading reviews I almost didn't book but so glad we did - its a great hotel. Positives: -...

Really enjoyed a week at this hotel. Only a short distance from airport, so transfer was quick but apart from occasional plane in distant sky you wouldn't know you were that close. Reading reviews I almost didn't book but so glad we did - its a great hotel. Positives: - Friendly and helpful staff on reception, in restaurants and around hotel. - hotel mostly level, there were people with mobility issues getting around (although slopes rather than lifts). - Spotless Hotel, grounds and rooms - Plenty of sunbeds around pools and beach - 3 large pools and 2 swim up bars, so plenty of space - Always plenty of activities during day, although the animation team weren't pushy if you just wanted to chill - Fabulous beach, although red/amber flag was out most days, people were in sea and there was a place to hire things if you're brave enough to venture in the sea. Great to watch the para & wind surfers. - Plenty of food. There was always a good variety, even for a fussy vegetarian like me. Great desserts. - minibar optics and a full fridge in the bedroom. Nice to have a G&T or beer on the terrace. - Okay evening entertainment and always somewhere to sit (except on Fridays when its the Neon/White party, when most seats are removed for dancing- Great fun!). - lots of bars and Great cocktails and nice coffee from behind bars (better than the machine coffee). Negatives None really, except no lifts in accommodation. We were on the 1st floor, quite glad not the top floor or its a walk up. - Bedrooms don't have a wall/door between bedroom and bathroom area, which is fine if a couple but if you're away with a friend, there's not much privacy. - although rooms were cleaned daily, we found towels we had put on floor/in shower to be changed, put back on rail. We mentioned this to reception and got clean towels. - not enough comfortable places to sit inside when its chilly in evening. Lots of people playing cards etc near reception and it was busy in evening. Despite few niggles we would definitely return to this hotel and Boa Vista. I would say if you're booking a room with a private pool, make sure its not on the side of hotel near the main drag, or its definitely not that private.

Second time of visiting and sure it won’t be last. As good as we remembered it and nice to see some of the staff again who remembered us and greeted us. Last time room was slightly disappointing but glad to say this time round the room was in better condition....

Second time of visiting and sure it won’t be last. As good as we remembered it and nice to see some of the staff again who remembered us and greeted us. Last time room was slightly disappointing but glad to say this time round the room was in better condition. Thanks to Demis, Paulina and Sandra amongst others for looking after my wife’s need for gluten free food.

Having wanted a winter sun break we booked this instead of the Canaries and I’m very pleased we did The hotel itself is huge with 900 rooms so if you want a quiet holiday this isn’t the place for you but this doesn’t mean you feel the hotel is crowded....

Having wanted a winter sun break we booked this instead of the Canaries and I’m very pleased we did The hotel itself is huge with 900 rooms so if you want a quiet holiday this isn’t the place for you but this doesn’t mean you feel the hotel is crowded. There are plenty of spaces round the pools and sunbeds are free during the day Meal times can be a bit frantic so time it right and you’ll get a table. Staff work exceptionally hard to keep the place clean and tidy and service is great from the waiting staff in the restaurant to the gardeners too. Rooms are fine good size and bed is comfortable with good size bathroom and double sinks too. We were located in one of the newer blocks further away from the main building so if you are of poor mobility ask for a room in a block nearer and there are no lifts so bear this in mind if you have to carry suitcases up two flights of stairs. Room has the fridge full of drinks and the optics that everyone has mentioned Food there is a great choice at each meal time and despite previous complaints as a vegetarian I found plenty to eat. Labelling on food isn’t great so look closely at what you are eating Drinks are ok too with beer wine and soft drinks on tap cocktails are basic but drinkable too. Best coffee is in the sports bar you get a proper latte or expresso there. Entertainment is great if you want that sort of thing and we enjoyed the White Party a lot! Positives - great choice of food and drink . Whole hotel and surrounding are immaculate and service great Negatives - very large hotel with lots of guests very busy at meal times Lots of flies around if eating outside I’d def recommend this hotel and would return as it’s a beautiful island that is currently very unspoilt