The Banana Tree is situated in Sambaqui, a quiet fishing village on the north west of the island. The west coast of the island is one of the few places where you can watch the sun set over the sea. Sambaqui and neighbouring village Santo Antonio were both Azorean settlements, and there are various beautifully painted traditional Azorean buildings.
The name Sambaqui means oyster mound, and if you walk around the peninsular, 'Ponta' do Sambaqui you are walking on the discarded oyster shells of thousands of years of inhabitants. Oyster production is still very much alive in the village, and you can buy oysters direct from the fishermen at Ponta do Sambaqui, or at one of the handful of restaurants on the beach there.
Sambaqui and Santo Antonio are together known as one of the gastronomic centres of the island - between them they boast around 20 restaurants, with a mix of smart seafood restaurants and more simple, rustic shacks selling freshly caught produce.
There are around a dozen small beaches along the coastal road between the two villages. The Banana Tree sits on a calm surburban beach, and is 5 minutes walk from Ponta do Sambaqui.
Sambaqui and Santo Antonio are well provided for, with a number of minimarkets and fresh produce markets, as well as a pharmacy, beauty salon and medical centre. Santo Antonio has a weekend craft market, as well as a number of ateliers and craft shops.
