Sanzala Tours

This tour takes you to discover the community in the south of Príncipe island. It starts in Nova Estrela, formerly Roça Nova Estrela. Next, we will pass by the emblematic Nova Estrela viewpoint, where we can observe the iconic Boné de Jóquei islet and a breathtaking landscape. Continuing the route, we will arrive at Roça Terreiro Velho, where cocoa is grown for the famous Claudio Corallo chocolate. Lastly, we will visit the fishing community of Praia Abade.

On this route you will visit the old Roças located in the north of the island of Príncipe. We started the tour at Roça Sundy, a former cocoa plantation, where in 1919, during an eclipse, Einstein's Theory of Relativity was proven by Arthur Eddington. Sundy is today a restored jewel that houses a hotel that mixes luxury and history. Despite the hotel being installed, the local community still lives in the train houses. You will learn about the cocoa and coffee production process, visit the old hospital, the chapel, old machinery and traces of railways from the locomotives that transported cocoa. Next, we pass through Roça Ponta do Sol, a small farm, but where you can watch a stunning sunset.

On this tour you will discover the ancient Roças located in the northeast of Príncipe island. The tour begins at Roça Paciência, one of the farms that is still active and produces organic products consumed by the island's main hotels. You can visit cocoa, vanilla, coffee plantations and some local fruits and vegetables. Next, we will go to Roça Belo Monte, a farm recently restored and transformed into one of the most refined hotels on the island. In addition to visiting the outside area of the farm, which has maintained its original design, it is possible to learn a little more about the archipelago in the hotel's Museum.

This experience takes you to explore the northwest and west of Príncipe island. We begin the old Roça São Joaquim, one of the most remote and isolated communities on the island, which seems to have been frozen in time. This location reveals a stunning landscape with panoramic views of the imposing João Dias Pai, João Dias Filho and Mesa peaks. Next, we pass through the community of Roça Pincatê where we will enjoy the view of the city of Santo António. Finally, we will visit the old Roça Porto Real, which was one of the largest farms in Príncipe and had eight other smaller farms in its dependency. Typical farmyard, with a large, square central space, surrounded by several built areas, including workshops, warehouses, factory and administrative buildings, sanzalas, chapel, hospital, school and kitchens and the main house. When visiting Porto Real, it is possible to visit the old sanzalas, still inhabited today, and come across the traces of life that shaped this countryside over the years.