Whether it is your first visit or a return trip, Santa Maria offers plenty to fill your days. This guide pulls together the most popular and best-reviewed things to do in Santa Maria, based on traveler ratings and review counts on Viator, so you can plan with confidence.
Quick Answer: Best Things to Do in Santa Maria
The most-reviewed experience in Santa Maria on Viator is Sal Island Full Day Tour in Santa Maria, rated 4.9/5 from 1,383 reviews. It is followed by Sal Island Half Day All Inclusive and Lounge Catamaran SODADE Half Day. Prices for the top-rated tours start from about $35 per person.
Top-Rated Santa Maria Tours & Experiences
Top Experiences in Santa Maria
Sal Island Full Day Tour in Santa Maria
Rated 4.9/5 from 1,383 Viator reviews, from about $41 per person. This is one of the better-reviewed experiences in Santa Maria, and it suits travelers who want a well-organized outing without planning every detail. Read our full Sal Island Full-Day Tour with Native Certified Guide review.
Sal Island Half Day All Inclusive
Rated 4.8/5 from 500 Viator reviews, from about $52 per person. Travelers rate this experience highly, and it is a solid pick for anyone building a trip around Santa Maria.
Lounge Catamaran SODADE Half Day
Rated 4.9/5 from 266 Viator reviews, from about $80 per person. Water-based tours are a staple of any trip to Santa Maria, and this one is well reviewed by travelers who have done it.
Sal Island Sea Turtle Watching Eco
Rated 4.6/5 from 155 Viator reviews, from about $44 per person. This experience earns consistently positive feedback from travelers visiting Santa Maria.
Sal Island Private Airport Transfer
Rated 4.7/5 from 136 Viator reviews, from about $35 per person. This is one of the better-reviewed experiences in Santa Maria, and it suits travelers who want a well-organized outing without planning every detail.
3 Hour Shark Bay in Santa Maria
Rated 4.6/5 from 42 Viator reviews, from about $37 per person. Travelers rate this experience highly, and it is a solid pick for anyone building a trip around Santa Maria.
How to Choose the Right Experience
Start with the kind of day you want. Guided city tours and ticketed visits suit first-time visitors, water and outdoor trips suit travelers who want a change of pace, and food experiences are a relaxed way to round out a stay. Reading recent reviews is the best way to gauge current quality, and checking the live availability on the booking page confirms dates, group size and what is included.
Booking Tips for Santa Maria
- Busy periods in Santa Maria include December to April, so book popular tours several days ahead in those months.
- Look for free cancellation on the booking page so you can adjust if the weather changes.
- Sal is dry and sunny for much of the year, with the brief wetter season falling in late summer and early autumn.
- Check the pickup point, start time and duration before you book.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best things to do in Santa Maria?
Among the most popular choices on Viator are Sal Island Full Day Tour in Santa Maria, Sal Island Half Day All Inclusive and Lounge Catamaran SODADE Half Day. All are well rated by travelers at the time of writing.
How much do tours in Santa Maria cost?
Prices for the top-rated tours listed here start from about $35 per person, with a typical mid-range of around $44 and some experiences costing $80 or more. Rates change by date, group size and option.
Should I book tours in Santa Maria in advance?
Popular tours can sell out in busy periods, so booking a few days ahead is a sensible approach, especially for weekends and peak season.
When is the best time to visit Santa Maria?
The most popular months for visiting Santa Maria are November to June. Conditions vary by season, so see our best time to visit guide for details.
Disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you book through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Ratings, review counts and prices come from Viator listings checked in October 2026 and may have changed.
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