Unfortunately, our experience with Manta Maria was disappointing from the start. Communication before our arrival was poor: most emails went unanswered, booking was unnecessarily complicated, and in the end we were asked to prepay for a package we hadn’t agreed to. When we arrived at the dive center, the situation continued to be frustrating. They expected us at a different time than clearly agreed in writing, and reacted quite unprofessionally when we showed up as scheduled. The overall atmosphere was chaotic and tense, with clear disharmony among the staff. The tone was at times surprisingly unfriendly, and we did not feel welcome. On a positive note, our dive guide Pedro was excellent – professional, calm, good humor, and attentive. He is the reason this review gets a second star. The dive site itself, especially Ambrosio, is spectacular. But sadly, Manta Maria fell far short of the basic professionalism and organization one would expect. We cannot recommend this dive center.

Super friendly and helpful staff. Great knowledge and experience around the island. Thanks to Rita, Ana, Sarah, Nuno, Mariana 🫡 and Pedro we had a great time.

We had a reservation for the snorkel with mantas. The staff was rude and not welcoming at all, they didn't explain anything about the route we were going to do, the time it would take... Moreover the sea conditions were not good and we still went into the sea, very big waves and wind, I think if they are professionals we could have waited or rescheduled the trip, so the sea was better. When we got to the place we didn't see anything and the waves made it even more difficult, me and a friend got very seasick and we wanted to go back and it seemed as if they didn't care at all. Overall I wouldn't pay 68€ for the experience, also the material they gave us was no good and we were very cold.

Did a snorkelling incursion in Ambrosio and it was completely wonderful. You’re in the middle of the ocean but we felt safe and reassured all the way. Thank you!

We were very excited to scuba dive in Santa Maria, and we can’t regret more trying to book with this center. When we talked to the person in charge we could already feel that organisation wasn’t their major asset. The notebook was chatoic, full of names, numbers, sites, etc. However we managed to agree for a double session for the next morning. When we got there ready for the diving, you could tell he didn’t even remember us and didn’t understand what we were doing there. When he finally located our name written amongst the chaotic scrabling in his notebook, he excused himself saying that he didn’t call us to confirm, when that had never been said before. We actually already paid for our diving insurance in front of him the day before. The result, every other center in the island was full and we leave the Azores without being able to enjoy the underwater nature we’ve been waiting since we booked our holiday. Stating the obvious, I would never recommend diving with this center. If they organise the dives the same way they organise their agenda I can’t understand how there aren’t more accidents.

Very bad experience unfortunately (1 year ago). I had e mailed and called the centre before our trip to make sure we booked some dives with them. Once we got to the centre, the day before the dive, to make sure everything was in order, we got treated horribly. We were told that we did not answer their last e mail (true, there was just nothing else to say, we had already had several e mails back and forth to confirm the dives) and that we were lucky that there might be space for us in the next few days. It felt as if it was almost an annoyance that we were there in the first place. I can't emphasize enough how rude the staff was, although this was really just 1 person of the staff in particular... Both me and my partner felt stressed and, frankly, a bit unsafe. The general environment was quite stressful and unorganized. I went to ambrosio diving with mantas while my partner went on a different dive. Overall, once on the boat, I had a good time with the staff and the dives although, of course, those are quite challenging dives being in the middle of the Atlantic. My partner did not have enough experience to dive Ambrosio, so he went on a separate dive. He was quite confused by the guide and overall it was a bad experience for him. The briefing before the dive was not good enough. If I could go back I would definitely contact another one of the diving centers in Santa Maria which, we heard, are much better.

So good and also so bad! We had an amazing manta snorkeling trip, with charismatic staff, quality equipment and 17 mantas! We'll never forget it. But getting an answer to booking requests via email or WhatsApp messages was a nightmare!

We had the pleasure of going on a fantastic coasteering tour with an outstanding tour guide. Our experience was nothing short of phenomenal as we immersed ourselves in the beauty of nature and embraced thrilling challenges. It truly was an unforgettable adventure. Henrique, our tour guide, was the epitome of excellence. With his comprehensive briefing and warm companionship, we felt well taken care of throughout the entire journey. Equipped with everything we needed, we were able to focus on enjoying every moment to the fullest. The service provided was top-notch. Thank you for making tour an extraordinary experience. I highly recommend it to all nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers. Kind regards! F & K

We took a day trip around the island. It was an incredible tour with such a nice and knowledgeable guide. Henrique is so friendly that we felt like we know him for years. He showed us beautiful nature and also architecture of Santa Maria. We have learned a lot and at the same time had great fun.

Amazing day touring in the island in the Jeep, discovering local part of the island with a perfect touch of history and anecdote ! A must do in the island :)

Ultra cool moments with the electrics bicycle and the jeep tour. Henrique is interesting and friendly ! Thank you 😊

Wonderful experience! I highly recommend the coasteering activity.

Great day out with a friendly host.

Great experience!!

Beautiful viewpoint over the bay. This is a great place to view the sunrise or sunset over the mountain. It also has a picnic spot. No entry fee but limited parking

Great viewpoint you should visit. When the weather is fine, the sea will be beautiful blue.

You can find viewpoints with better views in Santa Maria but this one is well maintained. From here you can see São Lourenço and I would recommend to go down the road and stop by the village. You can also go to the beach there and get some rest. The road has a 10% slope so it will be easy to go down but the other way around make sure your car can handle it

Best place in Santa Maria! Sao Lourenço has something really special!

One of the best spots to have a nice view of the coast

Breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding bays and beach.

Quite possibly the prettiest view of the island.

Outstanding, even in the meaning of the word!!! Really beautiful setting worth to pass by!!

A very nice lighthouse.

Cool view

Good views

(Translated by Google) The Gonçalo Velho Lighthouse is an emblematic site of the Azores, located on the island of Santa Maria. Perched on a cliff, it offers a spectacular view of the Atlantic Ocean and the surrounding landscapes. This historic lighthouse, named in honor of the Portuguese navigator Gonçalo Velho Cabral, is an ideal place for those who want to delve into the maritime history of the region. The road to get there is magnificent, winding through natural landscapes typical of the Azores. Once there, the panorama is simply breathtaking, especially at sunset, when the light bathes the cliffs and the ocean. The place is quiet and secluded, perfect for relaxing and enjoying nature. Although access to the interior of the lighthouse is limited to the public, its imposing silhouette and location make it a must-visit for photography enthusiasts and history buffs. It is a peaceful place where you can truly feel the wild beauty of the Azores. Recommended for those looking for a quiet getaway with stunning views! (Original) Le Phare Gonçalo Velho est un site emblématique des Açores, situé sur l’île de Santa Maria. Perché sur une falaise, il offre une vue spectaculaire sur l’océan Atlantique et les paysages environnants. Ce phare historique, nommé en hommage au navigateur portugais Gonçalo Velho Cabral, est un lieu idéal pour ceux qui souhaitent se plonger dans l’histoire maritime de la région. La route pour y accéder est magnifique, serpentant à travers des paysages naturels typiques des Açores. Une fois sur place, le panorama est tout simplement à couper le souffle, surtout au coucher du soleil, lorsque la lumière baigne les falaises et l’océan. Le lieu est calme et isolé, parfait pour se détendre et profiter de la nature. Bien que l’accès à l’intérieur du phare soit limité au public, sa silhouette imposante et son emplacement en font une visite incontournable pour les amateurs de photographie et les passionnés d’histoire. C’est un endroit paisible où l’on peut vraiment sentir la beauté sauvage des Açores. Recommandé pour ceux qui cherchent une escapade tranquille avec des vues imprenables !

(Translated by Google) Take a trail from the road to the lighthouse or to the old Bsleia factory. You can even take a dip down there. A PARADISE SITE FROM A FILM Against a strong wind (Original) Fazer trilho da estrada ate ao farol ou ate á antiga fabrica da bsleia.pode dar um mergulho la em baixo. SITIO PARADISÍACO DE FILME O contra muito vento

(Translated by Google) One of the most beautiful lighthouses I have ever visited, certainly the most beautiful in the Azores. It is located in Maja Bay, at the easternmost point of the island of Santa Maria. It is located on a rocky peak, to get there you need to go down (recommend: on foot, not by car!) from the state road for 700-800 meters. The lighthouse inside cannot be visited, furthermore there are the very ferocious and fearless (see photo...) mastiffs on guard who guard it day and night. The lighting of the setting sun, with the ocean in the background, offers scenarios between the mystical and the magical. As you approach, you follow a road that progressively seems to leave civilization behind: small, barren and rather harsh streets, ruined or abandoned houses, animals free to graze in peace in the silence of nature, no artificial light, and so on. It is a surreal experience, of how it should have been and instead it didn't happen, due to capitalism which tends to erode similar places with mass tourism. This lighthouse must represent a monument to the respect for Nature, to the attention and awe that we must have when we visit such precious places. Absolutely worth seeing! (Original) Uno dei più bei fari che abbia mai visitato, sicuramente il più bello delle Azzorre. Si trova nella baia di Maja, nel punto più a est dell'isola di Santa Maria. È situato su una punta rocciosa, per arrivarvi è necessario scendere (mi raccomando: a piedi, non in macchina!) dalla statale per 700-800 metri. Il faro all'interno non è visitabile, inoltre di guardia ci sono i ferocissimi e impavidi (vedi foto...) mastini che lo sorvegliano giorno e notte. L'illuminazione del sole al tramonto, con l'oceano sullo sfondo, offre scenari tra il mistico e il magico. Avvicinandosi si percorre una strada che progressivamente sembra lasciare la civiltà indietro: strade piccole, brulle e piuttosto aspre, case diroccate o abbandonate, animali liberi di pascolare in pace nel silenzio della natura, nessuna luce artificiale, e così via. Si tratta di un'esperienza surreale, di come doveva essere ed invece poi non è andata, per colpa del capitalismo che tende ad erodere posti simili con il turismo di massa. Questo faro deve rappresentare un monumento al rispetto della Natura, all'attenzione e alla soggezione che dobbiamo avere quando visitiamo luoghi così preziosi. Da vedere assolutamente!

Great Sandy beach with good waves. Like everywhere on Azores there are free showers and changing room. Also lifeguards. Parking free and there is a beach bar-restaurant. Amazing views and this is considered by many the best beach on the island.

One of best beaches on the island. Arrive around lunch to ensure you can get a parking space. Great place for family beach day. Restaurant on site is quite good too.

A magical beach and the wonder of Santa Maria Island! You will never guess whether there will be a beach with pure white sand or water will come up to the stone embankment and you won’t be able to sunbathe on the sand) I don’t even know how to explain this phenomenon, but the locals call it a miracle and say that it all depends on the weather) But in any case, to visit this place is worth 100%!! I especially recommend choosing a walking route from Vila do Porto to the beach, a distance of about 7.5 kilometers. You will enjoy picturesque views of the ocean, caves and the opportunity to eat wild blackberries that grow along the entire trail)

Very nice beach….easy access, great parking, shallow waters for a while….great for everyone.

Nice!!!

A peaceful beach. Perhaps my favourite one in Azores.

This place is beautiful no doubt but the European tourist infestation is absolutely out of control.

You can see all the island from here

(Translated by Google) Location conveys peace and quiet. Clean air. Beautiful views over the island. The weather is dynamic and in a matter of seconds we can no longer see the island due to the clouds. We did a 6km circular trail. It's beautiful, but somewhat bumpy and for those who don't know much about trails, it raises some doubts about the path to follow at the forks/junctions. On the way there is a viewpoint. (Original) Local transmite paz e sossego. Ar puro. Vistas lindas sobre a ilha. A meteorologia é dinâmica e numa questão de segundos podemos deixar de ver a ilha, devido às nuvens. Fizemos trilho circular de 6km. É bonito, mas algo acidentado e para quem não percebe muito de trilhos, suscita algumas dívidas sobre o caminho a seguir nas bifurcações/entroncamentos. No caminho tem um miradouro.

(Translated by Google) Pico Alto is the highest mountain in Santa Maria. From here, in good weather, you can enjoy a view of the entire island. This is the historic site where, on February 8, 1989, the pilots of a Boeing 707-331B flew into the fog-shrouded Pico Alto mountain. The accident killed all 144 people on board; it is the worst aviation accident in Portugal. From here, you can also start the PRC 02 SMA hiking trail, which is 6.2 km of hilly terrain. It's very strenuous, as the last two kilometers involve a 220-meter climb. (Original) Pico Alto ist der höchste Berg von Santa Maria. Von hier aus hat man bei gutem Wetter einen Blick über die gesammte Insel. Historischer Ort wo am 8. Februar 1989 eine Boeing 707-331B von den Piloten in den nebelverhüllten Berg Pico Alto geflogen wurde. Bei dem Unfall kamen alle 144 Menschen an Bord der Maschine ums Leben; es handelt sich damit um den schwersten Flugunfall in Portugal. Von hier aus kann man ebenfalls die Wanderoute PRC 02 SMA starten welche über 6,2 km hügelige Strecke führt. Sehr anstregend da es die letzen zwei km eine Steigung von 220 meter zu erklimmen gilt.

(Translated by Google) Highest place on the island where we can see the entire island. We can see a plateau, which is the part of the island that was submerged, and the volcanic part of the island, which is much more mountainous. Very easy access. I recommend it. (Original) Local mais elevado da ilha onde podemos ver toda a ilha. Podemos verificar um planalto, que é a parte da ilha que esteve submersa, e a parte vulcânica da ilha, muito mais montanhosa. Acesso muito facil.Aconselho.

(Translated by Google) Excellent viewpoint with views of all parts of the island. Easy circular trail with views of various parts of the island. (Original) Excelente Miradouro com vista para todas as partes da ilha. Trilho circular, fácil e com vista para as várias partes da ilha.

(Translated by Google) I don't know why the point is noted here. You have to go to the parking lot, a few steps from the highest point, to begin the hike. In fact, I recommend going in the opposite direction to the one indicated if you don't want to be demoralized during the last few kilometers. The trail is difficult to navigate in wet weather because it's very, very, very muddy. (Original) Je ne sais pas pourquoi le point est noté ici. Il faut aller au parking, à quelques marches du point culminant pour commencer la randonnée. D'ailleurs je conseille de faire dans l'autre sens que celui indiqué si vous ne voulez pas être démoralisés les derniers km. Sentier difficilement praticable par temps humide car chemin très très très très boueux

(Translated by Google) An enchanting natural location offering a complete panoramic view of Santa Maria Island! (Original) Luogo naturale incantevole da dove si ha una panoramica completa dell'isola di Santa Maria!

Did 3 days of diving. Everyone was friendly and attentive to help etc. Very conveniently located in the hotel, just go down in flip flops. During boat trips we've seen dolphins also, and seeing big Mantas at Ambrosio was an amazing experience.

We spend some days on Santa Maria, especially for doing snorkelling activities. There was sadly too rough weather with strong winds. However Haliotis are very approachable and communicative via WhatsApp. They do what they can and offered a different snorkelling trip than Ambrosio which we joined. They are very friendly and helpful.

Hands down, this was the best dive trip of my life. I had such a fantastic experience with Haliotis! I booked 3 days of diving with them the morning after my arrival and was able to dive that same day. We went to Ambrosio, Dollabarat, Formigas and the Blue Cave--all of it was surreal! There were mobulas, eels, a ton of fish, an octopus and massive groupers that wanted to be pet. The Blue Cave was simply mesmerizing... We saw dolphins on the surface and drove the boat with them for a bit. Aside from the wondrous aquatic world, the surface time was also what set this dive trip apart. The crew is truly a joy to spend time with--I became friends with other divers and the snacks were delicious, especially the homemade Bolos Levedos (ordered 5 to go as souvenirs). During the second dive, I had trouble equalizing one of my ears and Clem paused her dive to guide me through how to fix the issue. Within a couple of minutes, I was back to normal and enjoying the dive again. On my last day, my partner joined to snorkel and Rita organized for the dive trip to include a destination that had barely any waves, great visibility and lots of fish. In addition to all of this, Haliotis is located in the hotel, so you just need to go downstairs and the crew will drive you to the boat. I would definitely book with them again, and highly recommend going with this company while you are visiting Santa Maria. TLDR: This was my best diving experience--take the plunge and book with Haliotis.

I had one of most incredible experiences at sea with Haliotis and could not recommend them more! We originally booked one snorkel in Ambrosio to try to see the incredible Mobiles, as soon as we arrived we were greeted by the lovely, professional, friendly Clemence who helped us get ready with a lot of care and attention. We then headed out at sea with Filipe, an incredibly skilled, passionate, enthusiast man of the sea that made the trip so much more personal, and special. We were overjoyed to spend more than an hour surrounded by curious mobulas, all in calm, controlled, peaceful environment that made us feel like it wasn't invasive or non ethical in regards to the mobulas! We couldn't stop ourselves from booking another snorkel the next day, which went just as incredible as the first!

We had a great time diving with Filipe and his team, Flavia and William. Very patient and professional with tons of experience in the water around Santa Maria. We did four dives, three in the protected areas which were pretty awesome, the fourth was great too. The Ambrosio site is one of the most unique dives I've ever done and I've been diving since 1986. I'd encourage any diver looking for an experienced team that knows the water and dive sites, to reach out to Haliotis Santa Maria.

We have just finished 4 days of diving with Haliotis and loved it! We did our Advanced PADI with them, Tomas was a fantastic instructor, was clear with his teaching, and really patient and supportive at times when we were anxious. We found Haliotis really easy to book with online and communication once there was also really easy. A special shout out to Tomas, our course instructor and the rest of the team we spent time with on the boat - Clem, Filipe, Diana and Rita - and the team in the office! Everyone was so nice, helpful and patient! We felt really comfortable which helped us to relax on the dives and enjoyed the chats on the boat (and great snacks during the break!)

I went with Haliotis to Ambrósio for snorkeling. It was an amazing experience. Dozen of Mantas were swimming around me. They looked like they were flying. Trully unforgettable moment. Thank you so much Haliotis for making it happen!

If you visit Santa Maria, without visiting this museum, and without watching the video (which should have english subtitles) about how this island was formed, you just lost an amazing opportunity to understand the geological richness of the amazinh island you visited.. Enjoy it!!!

I truly recommend any visitor to the island to spend some time there preferably at the start of your stay to learn very interesting points about the island. I got to learn that Santa Maria has a different geological history than all the other islands which makes it so special. Go and visit!

Fascinating insights into how the island was formed. Really good film in Portuguese but with English subtitles. Interesting fossils too.

Great guide! Lots of knowledge and enthusiasm :)

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(Translated by Google) I enjoyed visiting; it's a very interesting life's work by Dalberto Pombo, which also involved the participation of others. (Original) Gostei de visitar, muito interessante, obra de vida de Dallberto Pombo que teve a participação de outros também

(Translated by Google) Small but clear and varied in the material displayed. (Original) Pequeno mas claro e variado no material exposto

If you follow the nearby hiking trail, you come by this place. It's not too special and not worth visiting, unless you're doing the hike anyways.

(Translated by Google) Really an interesting place, not to mention the fossilized shells which number in the thousands on one of the walls. Plus, not hard to find at all. Simply use the walking path starting from Villa do Porto or drive to the Pedro do Campos geological site located 500 m before the cave. (Original) Vraiment un lieu intéressant, sans compter les coquillages fossilisés qui se comptent par milliers sur l'une des parois. De plus, pas du tout difficile à trouver. Il suffit d'utiliser le sentier pédestre partant de Villa do Porto ou de vous rendre en voiture au site géologique Pedro do campos situé 500 m avant la grotte.

(Translated by Google) The access is not easy, the trail needs some maintenance. INFO (PT): Gruta do Figueiral is an old limestone and clay extraction gallery, the former for the production of lime and the latter for the manufacture of tiles. In the vicinity of the cave it is still possible to see an old lime kiln, in ruins and with little safety for visitors. Access to Gruta do Figueiral is only possible by following the trail that starts at Pedreira do Campo. (Original) The access is not easy, the trail needs some maintenance. INFO (PT): A Gruta do Figueiral é uma antiga galeria de extração de calcário e argila, o primeiro para a produção de cal e a segunda para o fabrico de telhas. Nas imediações da gruta ainda é possível observar um antigo forno de cal, em ruína e com pouca segurança para os/as visitantes. O acesso até à Gruta do Figueiral apenas é possível seguindo o trilho com início na Pedreira do Campo.

(Translated by Google) Very beautiful place, with a spectacular view, a beautiful path to follow, lack of signage for the more distracted. (Original) Sitio muito bonito, com uma vista espetacular, um caminho bonito para se fazer, falta sinalização para os mais distraídos.

(Translated by Google) Nice walk from the Porto Volá marina to Praia Formosa. These groups are huge. It's a shame I didn't see the fossils. (Original) Boas caminhada desde a marina do vola do Porto ate à praia formosa. Estas grupas enormes. Pena nao ter visto os fosseis

(Translated by Google) Very interesting. Sheltered and peculiar place. Could have more information and benches or picnic tables. I recommend doing the trail. Fantastic views and path. (Original) Muito interessante. Local abrigado e peculiar. Poderia ter mais informação e bancos ou mesas para piquenique. Recomendo fazer o trilho. Vistas e caminho fantástico.

(Translated by Google) The photos speak for themselves (Original) Aa fotos falam por si

It’s nice, but it’s no reason to come here just for it. Take a walking path and discover the coast of Santa Maria. I would suggest to take right looking at the sea (marker 105), and take the path toward Baia do Raposo. The view is magnificent. It takes about 20-30 mins and it’s quite easy. View my other marker up north-east (View point of Baia do Raposo) of this one for more details and photos.

Easy to get to and pretty cool once you're there about a 10min drive from Almagreira. Once there you can park on the gravel road and walk about a min down the path.

What we thought would be a short walk across the Barreiro turned into a tree tunnel, river crossings with waterfalls, and to an amazing view of 4 islands from a cliff top. From the signage walk right and follow the trail. You won’t be disappointed. Did I mention that the stream crossings earlier turn into a much larger waterfall on exit from the trees!

Lovely volcanic sand...

A red desert in the middle of Atlantic. Unique.

Beautiful! Walked through on the highly recommended Costa Norte walk.

Amazing place to go hiking. The red sand and the form of it were really impressive.

Ok!

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good infrastrutures

(Translated by Google) Very sparsely populated when I visited, but it seemed good. (Original) Muito poico frequentado quando visitei, mas pareceu-me bom.

(Translated by Google) This is the perfect place for butchers and fishmongers selling local produce. There's also a souvenir shop, tourist assistance in French, English, and Portuguese (Descobertas da Carousse), beauty services, hairdressing, and much more! (Original) C'est l'endroit par excellence pour les boucheries et poissonneries avec produits de l'ile. Aussi, boutique souvenir, aide aux touristes en Français, Anglais et Portuguais (Descobertas da Carousse), Esthétique, Coiffure et bien plus!

(Translated by Google) I recommend the Alheiras from Talho Ilha do Sol. (Original) Recomendo as Alheiras do Talho Ilha do Sol.

(Translated by Google) I think it's a mistake to have a closed establishment in the middle of others. Fat John. Neither stores nor opens. It's supposed to have opened. There are many people interested in having their own life and he is there making fun of others. They wanted it and didn't have space. To stay active and correct. It looks ugly for him to boast that it's his and to have that closed space. (Original) Acho erro é ter um estabelecimento fechado no meio de outros. O João gordo. Nem faz armazém, nem abre. É suposto ter aberto. Tem muitas pessoas interessadas em ter a sua vida e ele ali a fazer pouco dos outros. Que queriam e não tem espaço. Para ficar activo e correcto. Fica feio ele se gabar que é seu é ter aquele espaço fechado.

Dear Ioannis and Rita (and team), thank you for the great adventure on Santa Maria. We enjoyed your hospitality and the beautiful hike. We have gained a valuable experience. many thanks. Kind regards Marcel and Marlies

Fantastic hike. Food was simple but delicious with a lot of local products and great adaptation for vegetarians. Luggage transfer was a luxury and super well organized. There was nice red wine in every hut.

Great experience you can go around the island without carefully planning places to stay. They give us great shelters for each place. The staff explained everything in details. So you can enjoy the trails:)

One of the best experiences of my life! Ilha a pé is the best way to explore Santa Maria. The hubs are located in incredible places (some hotels would die to have such locations and would make lots of money with just their views) they are so comfy that you feel like home and of course, the food is also amazing. It was my first experience on hiking for so long and it was absolutely amazing. Without ilhaape I am sure my experience in Santa Maria wouldn't be like this. I would also like to add that the owners are also super friendly and speak multiple languages . :)

Ilha a Pé provides the best way to experience Santa Maria in all its beauty! Everything is taken care of, plenty of good food awaits you after each day of hiking and the huts are comfortable and each beautifully located. The communication is quick and personal. We truly loved every second of this adventure and could not recommend this more to anyone visiting Santa Maria!

Ioannis does a great job at clearing communicating all of the instructions and was very accommodating in meeting us once we landed in Santa Maria to begin the Great Trek of Santa Maria! All of the shelters provided are in amazing locations, well kept and very eco-concious! I highly recommend that you take advantage of the food packages that can be provided, the food is abundant, delicious and has a great local flare! Great business, great service and stunning nature along the route!

What a way to discover this beautiful island! All the information is clear, the cabins are each an oasis of rest and peace (also clean and very comfortable). These guys do a great job to make sure you enjoy the GR1 to the max!!

It is an amazing trip downhill to the ocean side, and the view is just picturesque

A bit difficult to get to with not do clear signs but worth it.

(Translated by Google) Wonderful remnant of nature that is difficult to grasp because it lacks particular indications. Starting from the path that starts from Barreiro da Faneca, go towards Pico Alto. After about a couple of km you will find the Raposo Bay in front of you and you must leave the main route and go down to the slopes of the waterfalls, on a path that is still passable for about 1 km. The volume of water in the waterfalls obviously depends on the amount of rainfall in the period in which you visit it. (Original) Scampolo di natura meraviglioso difficile da cogliere perché privo di particolari indicazioni. Partendo dal sentiero che inizia dal Barreiro da Faneca, andate in direzione Pico Alto. Dopo circa un paio di km vi trovate la Baia di Raposo davanti e dovete lasciare il tracciato principale scendendo in basso, fino alle pendici delle cascate, su un sentiero comunque percorribile per circa 1 km. Il volume d'acqua delle cascate dipende ovviamente dalla quantità di pioggie del periodo in cui la visitate.

(Translated by Google) A challenging but very rewarding hiking trail. Bring your swimsuit and beach shoes and finish the trail with a refreshing dip. Fantastic. (Original) Percuso pedestre difícil mas muito recompensador. Leve o fato de banho e sapatinhos de praia e rerminhe o trilho com um mergulho refrescante. Fantástico.

(Translated by Google) A divine corner of the island, with a difficult path on rainy days but always worth visiting. (Original) Cantinho divino da ilha, com um caminho dificil em dias chuvosos mas que vale sempre a pena visitar.

(Translated by Google) Fantastic place, especially if you're there completely alone like we were. The descent/ascent is quite strenuous, but it is very worth it. You feel like you're in the jungle down there. And you have a great view of the sea. (Original) Fantastischer Ort, vor allem, wenn man wie wir komplett allein dort ist. Der Ab-/Aufstieg ist ordentlich anstrengend, aber es lohnt sich sehr. Man fühlt sich unten wie im Dschungel. Und man hat einen tollen Blick auf das Meer.

(Translated by Google) Good shoes and sure-footedness are recommended, but there is a unique view and a secluded bay with a small “private beach”. (Original) Gute Schuhe und trittfestigkeit empfohlen, dafür einmalige Aussicht und einsame Bucht mit kleinem "Privatstrand".

buncha weebs, im into that

(Translated by Google) Very nice church (Original) Sehr schöne Kirche

(Translated by Google) Don’t miss out on going in! The inside is much more impressive than the outside. Let yourself be enchanted by the Rococo and Baroque altars. (Original) Não deixe de entrar! Por dentro tem um impacto muito maior do que por fora. Deixe-se encantar pelo Rococo e Barroco dos altares.

(Translated by Google) Beautiful and rich temple that must be visited. (Original) Bonito e rico templo que deve ser visitado.

(Translated by Google) The altarpieces are very well preserved. (Original) Os retábulos estão muito bem conservados.

(Translated by Google) Beautiful church like all the others here on the island!! Always very well looked after. (Original) Igreja bonita como todas aqui na ilha!! Sempre muito cuidadas.

(Translated by Google) It is always closed to the public (Original) Está sempre fechado ao publico

Paraiso Radical is great! 5 stars well deserved! I rented a motorcycle for a week and is was well maintained and in perfect shape. More importantly, Marco (the owner) is a great guy. He helped me out with a lot of things, he is super friendly, makes everything work and is just a great person! Highly recommended!

Marco is an amazing, kind hearted and smart tour guide, he gave us over two days an amazing insight into santa maria, we truly enjoyed every minute of it, highly recommended!

We rented a bike and saw the whole island in just a day and only paid 7 euro for the gas. Really fun to drive around and really good costumer service as well.

We were actually able to keep our rented scooters for 24 hours. That gave us a lot of freedom. The owners were super nice and very generous despite a small dent in the paintwork. Scooters are simply the perfect way to explore every corner of the island up close. Big thanks to the rental companies Sylvia and Andrè

All very easy, fast and comfortable. We rented a scooter (11/08/2022-13/08/2022) and Marco and his wife (I apologize but I don't remember her name) explained everything to us perfectly and very kindly. 100% recommendable to rent a motorcycle with them to visit the island in 2 days. We would count on them again if we returned to Santa María. Thank you both very much for this experience!

Very good service. Rented a scooter for two days. Everything worked and no problems at all. Rental was 22 euros per day for a 50cc scooter. Just keep in mind that the only gas station is in Vila do Porto.

We were renting a scooter. Great experience, everything perfectly fine, super friendly :)

Good!!!

Nice place. Good gin and tonic

Not very nice staff and the game room is not well taken care of.

Top

(Translated by Google) Super cool space, has a games area, bar, bookstore and very good music choice. We were very well taken care of. After dinner there is nothing better than relaxing on the wings of the Atlantic. (Original) Espaço super fixe, tem zona de jogos, bar, livraria e escolha musical muito boa. Fomos super bem atendidos. Depois de um jantar nda melhor do que relaxar nas asas do Atlântico.

(Translated by Google) We really liked the space. We like Luciana even more. Very attentive and sweet. (Original) Gostamos muito do espaço. Gostamos mais ainda na menina Luciana. Muito atenciosa e querida.

(Translated by Google) The best coffee, in terms of atmosphere, bar layout, the fact that there is a room for reading, another for games, another for watching TV, I simply loved it... Fabulous ambient music... Affordable prices. (Original) Dos melhores café,a nível de ambiente,de disposição do bar,o facto de ter uma sala para ler,outra para jogos,outra para ver tv, simplesmente adorei... Música ambiente fabulosa.... Preços acessíveis.