FIND THE ANSWERS HERE

Is it safe? Should I rent a car? When is the best time to visit and can you guarantee I will not find my neighbors there? So many questions and nobody to answer them. So, this hiker guy may have some answers...

AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD

WALKING PATHS formerly used to access the orchards and great for walks or bike rides criss-cross the neighborhood. 
QUINTA DOS SABORES FARM RESTAURANT is just a 10-minute walk from minuvida and offers a gourmet dining experience.
O CHOCOLATINHO CAFE is already an island institution as an artisanal chocolate factory, and only a 20-minute walk from minuvida.

AZORES FAQs

how's the weather?

Everyone's #1 question. We are blessed with a cool to warm humid subtropical climate, heavily influenced by the ocean. We get enough rain to look lush and green year-round :) Humidity levels are generally very high and it can feel uncomfortable to some. In the summer it may feel muggy and in the winter it may feel raw and damp. Temps average 18c (64F) year-round, rarely dropping below 10c (50F) or rising above 30c (86F). Although seasons run the same as everywhere else in the northern hemisphere, they're less pronounced and there's no dry season per se.

Generally pleasant during the months of May through October and seldom too uncomfortably hot, but it can get chilly in unheated homes (which is the norm) during the cooler months. With indoor temps sometimes hovering around 15C (59F) during the coolest periods, layers are strongly advised.

So... if you are lucky, you may get a week with plenty of sunshine. If you are unlucky, you may be stuck in a storm with us for a while. Let's promise to accept things as they are and make the best of it!
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All you need to know about the Azorean climate can be found here
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See how the Azores climate compares to Boston and Bermuda here

CAN I swim in the ocean?

The ocean is safe to swim in public beaches and volcanic pools. Nevertheless, follow posted information. In lava pools, we advise water shoes due to possible sea urchins and sharp rocks. Jelly fish are fairly common during summer months. The ocean is usually rougher on north shores. Ocean water temps vary between 25C or 77F in summer and 16C or 62F in winter. On dry land, enjoy several outdoor thermal pools with warm waters often reaching 38C or 105F. Waterfalls are also fun but the pristine spring water is chilly.

how much do things cost?

Beer 60+ cents. Wine 2+ euros per glass or 10+ euros a bottle in restaurants. Lunch 8 to 10 for the daily special (prato do dia), which often includes drink and coffee. Dinner 25+ with wine, dessert and coffee. Cab ride 20 euros for 20-minute cab ride (for eg. from Minuvida to the airport). Gas 50 euros to fill your tank. Tipping Becoming increasingly common. Tips not expected but appreciated. 

How about food?

Azorean cuisine is simple and tasty, taking the best from the land and the sea. Very fresh. Grilled whole fish is a must; yes it has bones. No GMOs. Cows are pasture-raised happy, and you can taste it! Dairy is awesome! Don't miss the local cheeses and butter. Try the volcano-cooked cozido. Did we say not to miss the unique seafood (limpets or barnacles anyone?). Seasoning can be heavy handed. Desserts are to die for... and don't skip espresso and the local liqueurs.

do i really need a car?

We know that renting a car is an added expense and sometimes stressful experience, but we strongly advise that your rent one here if you can afford it. There are so many scenic drives, so many hidden spots, so many awesome attractions that are best reached with nice ride. Yes, public transport is available, but it's built for locals. Getting to a mountaintop to see a beautiful lake is nearly impossible on public transport. We are avid bike-riders, but it's strenuous exercise on the island's steep terrain. Weather is also changeable and you could get very wet.

Bottom line, get a car if you can. If staying at Quinta Minuvida, restaurants are not outside the door (this really only happens in the city, but do you really want to restrict your vacation to the city?). With a car, in 5 to 10  minutes many restaurants and other awesome attractions are that close. If you don't get a car, you can sign-out a Minuvida bike. You can also join one of our twice-a-week, regularly scheduled experiences, which include transportation, of course. 

will my phone work?

We have European outlets and are on 220 volts. Check your appliance. Phones and computers come with transformers, so no need to worry. You only need an outlet adapter. We carry some adapters and there are plenty readily available for purchase on the island. You can use WiFi to make calls, etc. with Whatsapp and similar apps.

how safe is it?

São Miguel is one of the safest places in the world and crime is often limited to misdemeanors. It’s a great, safe place for families and children. One should, however, always use common sense and precaution in traveling abroad. So, lock your car and leave valuables out of view, etc.

how do i get there?

Azores Airlines and TAP Portugal offer regular flights from Boston and we recommend online booking. 

From Europe, Ryanair offers low-cost fares from London and Lisbon. Many other charter companies operate from Germany and other destinations, as does Azores Airlines

what do I wear?

LAYERS Bring a light sweater for cooler summer evenings and a good fleece if coming during the cool season. A raincoat is a must and so are comfortable walking shoes. During the summer, with temps generally in the 20s C range (70s F), shorts and T-shirts, plus a raincoat, are enough. During the cool season add sweaters, pants and a mid-weight jacket to the mix. Gloves and hats are generally unnecessary. 

BATHING GEAR (swimsuit, towel, water shoes): There are countless natural swimming holes. Whether you crave warm geothermal waters in the cooler season or beaches during the summer months, you should always be prepared for a swim. Dark-colored bathing suits are recommended for hot springs.

​SUN PROTECTION (sunglasses, hat, sunscreen): The sun is much stronger here in the middle of the Atlantic, even in winter. 

wILL I BE BORED?

The Azores are for travelers like you, people who seek new experiences in off-the-beaten path locations. The city of Ponta Delgada, only about 15 minutes from Quinta Minuvida, features an ever-increasing number of trendy restaurants and nightspots, but that's not why you should come here. Come here to Discover and Feel. This is a place for outdoors adventures and for connecting. You'll never be bored if you know this. On the other hand, the Azores are not a resort-type place with all the amenities just outside your door.

MINUVIDA FAQs

where are you located?

We are located on São Miguel island, one of the nine islands that make up the Azores. The Azores are an autonomous region of Portugal and part of the European Union. The Azores are in the Azores Standard Time Zone, GMT-1, four hours ahead of Boston.

Our quinta is in Rabo de Peixe, Ribeira Grande, on the north side of the island. We are 10 minutes by car to the capital city of Ponta Delgada and 15 minutes to the airport. Our location is a great central spot to see all that the island has to offer.

Be advised, however, that we are not located in a resort-type area (thankfully). The area is on the outskirts of town and while easily reached by car, attractions such as hiking trails, restaurants, nightspots, shops and other tourist-friendly amenities not just "outside the front door."

what is an orchard lodge?

Quinta Minuvida invites you to stay in a working, traditional Azorean orchard. Tall hedges shelter the many varieties of fruits we grow, including avocados, bananas, oranges, guavas, loquats and feijoas. As our guest, you are free to pick and enjoy the fruits from our trees and participate in our orchard-focused experiences. We also have several outdoor pets on the property.

what are accommodations like?

We provide thoughtful accommodations in a lovingly restored traditional Azorean villa. All suites include vintage or custom furniture, comfortable memory foam mattresses (in double beds), in-room bathrooms, wireless Internet and other amenities, including daily cleaning, front desk, and on site management. Outdoor spaces include many recreational areas, a Mediterranean pool and grills. See property photos and room layouts here

Is the villa climate-controlled?

We do not have air conditioning as summers are generally not stifling. Central heat is not available, but we provide in-room efficient heating panels programmed to meet basic comfort needs in a sustainable fashion. Each room also features dehumidifiers that will help with your comfort level by removing humidity from the air.

Our living room also features fireplace that our staff can light during small evening gatherings. The pool suite is also equipped with a fireplace. 

A WORD ABOUT HUMIDITY
We average over 80% humidity year-round in the Azores and that also means indoor spaces. Heck, our clothes gets moldy if not aerated! So, your best friend in your room during particularly humid spells is your in-room dehumidifier. To get the greatest benefit of this amazing, energy efficient tool, close all windows before turning the dehumidifier ON ( I ) during those rainy, humid and cooler days when it can feel raw. Just empty the water thank in the toilet when full and place back in dehumidifier. Again, please KEEP WINDOWS CLOSED when operating dehumidifier and we're sure your room will feel a lot cozier.

​Besides our trusty dehumidifiers, our heating system panels come programmed to turn on when temperatures drop below 20c or 68F. As the plaque in your room reads, please don't attempt to tamper with the radiator settings. We take great care in making sure we have the greatest impact in our environment and if you still feel cold a well worn wool sweater can be your best friend.
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If you are used to heating your home to over 20c (68F) in the winter we advise that you bring an extra layer and give your body time to adjust. We are not able to provide heating over 20c and tampering with the system will incur additional charges. 

To read  more about the impacts of heating in the environment, click here. 

do you allow children? Pets?

We are a safe, family friendly facility but we are not equipped to accept babies or toddlers. We accept families with children over 6. Exceptions on a case-by-case  basis. Pets are not allowed but you can play with our friendly dog and cats.

Are you an ecolodge?

We are a sustainable lodge. The Azores are a recognized sustainable travel destination and we work to nurture and protect this special place. We compost, eliminate plastic where possible and serve mostly local products for breakfast, including only in-season local fruits and veggies. We provide your locally made organic toiletries and encourage guests to be conscious about electricity and water usage for heating and cooling and to reuse towels when possible. Please read our full sustainability commitment.

is the water safe to drink?

Our tap water is one of the finest in Europe. We strongly encourage that you don't purchase bottled water and ask us for a loaner water bottle during your stay that you can fill with tap water. Filtered tap water is also available a the lodge.

what's for breakfast? Other meals?

A daily Azorean breakfast is included with your stay. We serve only local and in-season fruits and vegetables, plus local cheeses, jams, breads, yogurts and specialty items. If you have special requirements let us know. Other meals can be ordered for delivery through our partner Maria Pic-Nic. Cooking is allowed in our pavilion guest kitchen.

can I cook in the house?

We don't allow cooking in the main staff kitchen at Quinta Minuvida as it supports our operations. Guests can, however, cook in our pavilion kitchen, which includes a stove top, grill, fridge, microwave and food storage areas, plus all dishware you need. Guests staying in the Wisteria Suite can use the in-suite kitchenette.

can i bring food in my room?

No, but you are welcome to use our dining room (when available) and outdoors dining and picnic areas. Please store are perishable food items in our guest fridge in the outdoor kitchen area.

what to do in case ​of an emergency?

The national emergency number is 112. The number is posted in our reception. The local healthcare facility may request your health insurance information. For non-emergency medical situations, we also have an on-call doctor. Cost is covered by the patient.

HOW DO I GET THERE FROM ​​THE AIRPORT?

​If you purchased our package, airport pick up is included. Otherwise, you can take a cab or drive your rental car right to our front door, where you can park your vehicle in our private car park. For driving directions click here

where can I smoke?

Smoking is not permitted anywhere indoors. If you must smoke, we have designated areas outdoors. Please ask for an astray and don't litter.

EXPERIENCES FAQs

are your experiences different?

We provide context, immersion and insight enabling you to Discover and Feel the Azores. We limit our experiences to small groups, and focus on what we know and do best: hiking, food and yoga. More on our experiences here

what's included with my stay?

Your direct booking includes discounted hiking experiences with us, a neighborhood tour and access to scheduled yoga classes. To learn more about our experiences, please check our experience brochure

how do i pick my experiences?

Samples of our experiences are available under our experiences page. If you would like to book an experience with us, please let us know ahead of time for availability. Hiking experiences are scheduled on Mondays or Wednesdays.

What if there is a date conflict?

We will do our best to provide you with the experience you desire and provide equivalent alternatives otherwise.

IS SPECIAL EQUIPMENT necessARY?

Hiking clothes, hiking shoes and raingear are recommended for all our outdoor experiences, plus a small backpack and water bottle. Bring your own yoga exercise clothing.

is transportation provided?

Transportation options are available during our host-led experiences. You may also use your vehicle to meet us at start and end points in order to maximize your options. A-la-carte experiences include transportation.

does the yoga studio have props?

Yes, mats, blankets, blocks, belts, bolsters and other props are available. The yoga studio is also audio and WiFi equipped.

What is your emergency plan?

Experiences with MINUVIDA AZORES are insured under our licenses. Should a medical emergency arise, medical emergency treatment or our on-call doctor will be available. During hiking experiences, authorities are notified of our activity before departure when required. We also have first aid training. 

experiences without lodging?

While we'd love to have you stay with us, experiences may be possible without lodging, pending space availability. Please visit the minuvida azores experiences web site for full information and schedules.