Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or you are just quickly passing through, our Amilcar Cabral Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit. Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.
Quick Links
There is one long row of benches, some of them are without armrests and perfect to lie on and get a sleep. – Piotras
SID Airport Overview
To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at Amilcar Cabral Airport.
What to Expect
Amilcar Cabral Airport (code: SID) has a single, two-story terminal that serves a few year-round destinations plus a number of seasonal flights and charters. Facilities are said to be outdated but well-maintained. Amenities include two restaurants, a snack bar, some shops, and free WiFi. For added comfort while you wait, economy class passengers can pay to enter the airport lounge.
Sleeping in Amilcar Cabral Airport
Reviews are limited, but a reviewer from back in 2013 shared that there was a long row of benches that were comfortable for sleeping. For privacy and comfort, nearby hotels offer shuttle service. See our Airport Hotels section below for more info.
Read the latest traveller airport reviews for more tips. For more airport information, continue scrolling down to explore more in our Amilcar Cabral Airport Guide.
In this guide we may refer to locations as “landside” and “airside”. Landside is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone, before security. Airside is the secure area of the terminal that you must reach by going through security.
Airport Hours
The airport is open 24 hours.
Rest & Relaxation Zones
There are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.
Cots
The airport does not provide cots to stranded travellers. If this has changed, click here to update the guide.
Airport Hotels
If sleeping in the airport sounds like a nightmare, there are several guest houses and small hotels in nearby Espargos (seven minutes away) and one hotel along the road to Santa Maria.
- Murdeira Village Resort – No airport shuttle. » Check Rates
For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels in Santa Maria, search for deals and read traveller reviews.
Airport Lounges
Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships
Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there is a lounge that you can enter by paying at the door or through a lounge membership program.
- Safeport Business Aviation Lounge – Location: Safeport Executive Terminal, Airside. Showers are available. Lounge Access: Pay at the door • Lounge membership programs.
Drinking Water
Information is unavailable. Does the airport have water fountains or water bottle refill stations? Click here to update this guide.
Food & Drinks
There are two restaurants in the airport and a snack bar in the International departure terminal. At the time of this update, we cannot confirm the availability of any 24-hour dining options.
Luggage Storage & Lockers
A reader tells us there is a luggage storage facility but did not provide additional information. (December 2019)
Mobile Charging
We had no information about mobile charging availability at the time of this update. If you know, click here to update this airport guide.
Showers
Showers can be found in the Safeport Business Aviation Lounge. [ see Airport Lounges above ]
WiFi/Internet
Free WiFi is available at Amilcar Cabral Airport.
Security & Safety
Sleeping in any airport can include a certain level of risk, especially when travelling alone. It’s important to take certain precautions to ensure your safety and the security of your valuables. Here are a few tips:
- Safety First. It’s a good idea to know where the security office is located and look for video cameras where you plan to sleep. You can also ask the security personnel for advice on the safest places to spend the night.
- Don’t Seclude Yourself. If you’re travelling alone, we recommend you stay near other travellers or close to security. This will help you feel more secure and deter potential thieves.
- Hide Your Valuables. It’s also important to hide your valuables. Don’t leave them out in plain view, as this could make you a target for theft. Additionally, if you are a deep sleeper, you may want to padlock your bag to something or sleep with your bag up against a wall to make it harder for someone to access zippers and pockets. We have received reports of sleepers who woke up without their phones and laptop bags. The travellers were left with just their headphones and laptop bag strap.
- Stay Alert. It’s best to stay alert and awake if you feel unsafe or uncomfortable. Drink coffee or other caffeinated beverages to help you stay awake, and remember that you can always catch up on sleep during your flight. These simple precautions can help you enjoy a safe night at the airport.
More Airport Information
Banking Services – BCA and Caixa Económica offer full-service banking in the airport.
Currency Exchange – COTa Cambios offers currency exchange service in the airport. Hours: Open 24 hours.
Duty-Free & Shopping – Duty-free shopping and a selection of retail and souvenir shops are available.
Medical Services – Urgent and emergency medical care is available in the airport clinic, 24 hours a day.
SIM Cards – A reader has asked us to include where to buy SIM Cards. If you know, click here to update this airport guide.
Car Rentals
At the time of this update, we are unable to confirm which car rental agencies are available on-site at Amilcar Cabral Airport.
Hotel Shuttles
See also Airport Hotels above.
Shared Public Transportation
Travel as the locals do! “Alugueres” are shared-ride minibuses that travel on a well-organized route system for a fixed price. From Alugueres on Sal Island, travel between Santa Maria, Espargos, and Palmeira.
Taxis
Metered taxis are available for hire in the ground transportation area during airport hours of operation.
Last updated: 2024-08-26
This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning. All information, including rates and hours, is subject to change at any time without notice. The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers, and their websites. We are not representatives of any of the above-mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or write a review.