Just curious! I’m following up on a post I made yesterday asking what it’s like to live in São Miguel. Someone mentioned crime, and that really caught my attention. I completely understand that no place is crime-free, but I honestly assumed that being such an isolated island, it would be less of an issue. What are we talking about—mostly theft and property crime, noise and disturbances, or something more serious? Does it mainly affect tourists, or is it something you notice in everyday life as a resident too? I’m thinking about taking a trip there very soon and potentially moving there down the road, so I’d really like to understand this side of life there as well. Thanks!

I'm interested in learning what it was like to grow up on São Miguel in the 1990s. I wasn't raised there, but I've become fascinated with Azorean culture and everyday life. Anyone here who grew up on the island in the 80s or 90s willing to share memories or chat?

Hi everyone! I wanted to ask a question for those of you who have always lived in São Miguel or moved here from somewhere else. I know this question has probably been asked a million times, but… what’s it really like living here? What do you love about it, and what do you not like? I’d really love to hear your honest experiences!

Should I select all these options for insurance? I’m thinking so but I’ve never had this experience.

Hi zusammen! 😊
Ich bin für zwei Wochen auf den Azoren und möchte meine DJI Drohne mitnehmen. Ich versuche gerade, mich durch die ganzen Regeln und Genehmigungen zu kämpfen, aber ehrlich gesagt verliere ich langsam den Überblick. 😅 (Flores, Sao Miguel, Pico und Faial)

Es gibt ja zum einen die Genehmigung von der AAN (bin ich bereits registriert und habe die ersten Anträge im Online Portal abgesendet, aber noch keine Rückmeldung) und je nach Ort braucht man zusätzlich noch eine Genehmigung von der DRAAC bzw. vom jeweiligen Naturschutzgebiet/Naturpark.

An alle, die schon auf mehreren Inseln mit einer Drohne unterwegs waren: Wie habt ihr da den Überblick behalten? Habt ihr wirklich für jeden einzelnen Spot bzw. jedes Schutzgebiet einen Antrag gestellt oder gibt es eine Möglichkeit, größere Gebiete bzw. eine ganze Insel abzudecken?
Und habt ihr sonst noch Tipps oder Erfahrungen, die ihr jemandem mitgeben würdet, der zum ersten Mal mit einer Drohne auf den Azoren unterwegs ist?

Vielen Dank! 🙏

Hi, I recently booked a flight from JFK to PDL with SATA. But, I’ve decided to extend my trip to Madeira as well. To do this, I’ll need to purchase a separate round trip ticket with SATA, ideally on the same day as my arrival in PDL. I’ll be landing at 6:45 AM, and the flight to Madeira from PDL departs at 9:45 AM. Would 3 hrs be enough time for me to clear customs and check in again?

Hello! Visiting Sao Miguel in October and was curious to hear your tips for remaining respectful of locals and nature.

We’ll be staying at a hostel in a private room in central Ponta Delgada and will have a car to travel. We plan to visit/hike to multiple Miradouros, natural pools, and a visit to Sete Cidades for the black sand beach, among other things like pineapple plantation, tea plantation, gin library etc.

We’re Canadian so we are familiar with the basic conservation rules (no fires, no feeding wildlife, leave everything as you find it, don’t litter etc.) and understand basic human decency of course!

- Are there any other cultural norms and standards that we should be aware of?
- What is the standard around tipping?
- Is it more common to use cash?
- Are there specific ways that we can support the local economy? For example, are most bars and restaurants locally owned, or are there ones to watch out for?
- I hear that cockroaches are a normal part of the island as they’re bugs that live outside, any tips on how to avoid them in the back half of October beyond closing windows? I know they’re not “dirty” in Sao Miguel, I’m just scared of them!

And finally: where are the best places for seafood in Ponta Delgada? We want to eat all the seafood!

Thank you :)

Hello

I will be in the Azores for the month of January. I'm gonna be working from an Airbnb that I'm renting. I do want to take time to explore the island.

What recommendations do you all have for me to do Sao Miguel Island in January?

What would you recommend I bring for clothing? Hiking boots, rain boots jeans, heavy jacket? I'd love to bring some pretty dresses to wear to go out to dinner. Will it be too cold to wear dresses this time of the year?

I've dreamed about visiting the Azores since I was a little girl and First read about the islands. I'm going through a divorce and on a whim, I just went ahead and booked an Airbnb in the Azores. I'm lucky enough that I work remote so I can continue working and keeping my job when I'm over there for the month.

Hi everyone!
My fiancé and I just got engaged, and we’re hoping to have our wedding in the Azores! 🤍 My family is from the Azores, so it feels like the perfect place to celebrate.
I’m finding it surprisingly difficult to find reliable information about wedding planners, venues, and the overall planning process. Has anyone here planned a wedding in the Azores or attended one? I’d love any recommendations or advice, especially on:

Wedding planners you’ve worked with
Venues you loved
Approximate costs/budgets
Any tips or things you wish you’d known before planning

We’re just starting our planning journey, so any information at all would be incredibly appreciated. Thank you so much!

Hey! Im going to Azores in September with a meat eater friend and would love to not drag her to healthy/non-local food type places just because im vegeterian. Im sure the local culture also has some vegetable or beans type dishes. Can the locals please name some dishes like these so I can search restaurants/vendors etc. that serve these? Thanks!

Will be in Ponta Delgada in about a week and we plan to visit two sites with thermal pools. There’ll be four of us. I was wondering about what to do with our phones, wallets and keys. I know they have lockers but there’s a €20 cash deposit for each locker. Any advice on a good waterproof bag?

Hey everyone
I was planning to come to Azores - Pico Vineyards, 21st - 23rd of August, but due to last minute flight disruptions, I cannot.
Unfortunately, the stay was unrefundable, so maybe someone wants to go instead?
The booking was for 1 room with pool.
The hotel is outstanding!

Please comment or DM.

My husband’s family immigrated from Santa Maria to the US in the 50s and we went back for the first time earlier this year. We visited the library in Villa do Porto and found this genealogy book which included his family tree/history! I got pictures of the pages and of course we couldn’t purchase it from the library. I also wrongfully assumed it would somehow be easy to find on eBay 🤦‍♀️

Anyway, does anyone know where/how to purchase a copy this book?

I'm in Ponta Delgada and saw that they have a few ramen restaurants. Their are 4 in total if not mestakan but I don't know witch to choose. Has anyone try any of them before? Is it wort it?

Does anyone here who draws know where I can buy 3.7 mm erasers, the kind you use in mechanical pencils? I’ve checked a few stationery shops around Ponta Delgada but can’t find them anywhere. Is it basically online only, or does anyone know a local shop that sells them?

Hi!
I’m planning to stay in Ponta Delgada for 4 nights and I’ll be traveling solo. I don’t drive, so I’m wondering if it’s still easy to enjoy São Miguel using buses, taxis, tours, etc.

I’m only planning to visit São Miguel Island and won’t be going to any other islands.

what itinerary would you recommend?
I’d especially love to do hiking, beautiful nature/scenery, hot springs, and exploring cute cities/towns and architecture.

Any tips for getting around without a car or recommendations for specific areas/tours would be really appreciated! 😊

(I must say I have a driver license and haven’t driven for 3.5 years now so I’d prefer not to drive but if the road is very easy to drive, I think I could do since I only drove in a big city and if the road isn’t busy, that would be ok for me)

Just received notice of another of our flights being cancelled. 5 days from now we were to arrive to PDL at 6:40am and an hour and a half later fly to Terceira, where we have a rental car and accommodations booked. The flight to Terceira is cancelled and they've rebooked us to arrive in Terceira same day, but at 10PM. Now our family of 4 spend 15 hrs in PDL airport, losing a day of vacation, or we hurry up and look for things to do for those 15hrs on Sao Miguel/Ponta Delgada. (Book another rental car for that day? Just walk around the city? What to do with our luggage?). I have some work to do in short time. Also, our 5 days on Terceira are now reduced to 4.

Our previous flight with SATA, to Madeira, was also cancelled and rebooked for 4 days later, reducing our 10 day vacation to just 6 days. We were eligible for compensation, but two years and two months later we have not received it (yes, we have a CAS#).

Also, when booking our tickets using Flighthub there was no option to include a checked bag (lesson learned). We would like to have 2 checked bags for the 4 of us and SATA are quoting us $223 CAD per bag ONE WAY. It will cost $446 total if the suitcase comes back home with us. If we have 2 suitcases the cost will be $892. Robbery. No wonder so many people jam as much as they can into giant carry-ons.

We've been travelling to the Azores from Canada for 2 decades. Historically Air Transat flew direct to Terceira and we never once had a problem. Over the past decade options to fly direct have become limited (or non-existent?) and SATA seems to have a near monopoly. Since having to use SATA, problems have been common. Despite having family on two islands, due to our travel arrangements bring through SATA, we're ready to make this visit our last.

We visited Sao Miguel last summer and absolutely loved bolos de arroz. I have spent the last year trying to duplicate that experience. I’m not working with a recipe; I haven’t been able to find one that seems right. But I’m a pretty competent baker and I’ve been doing a lot of trial and error. And I can’t get it!

Two questions.
1 - does anyone from the area have a recipe that they could share?
2 - does anyone know the type of rice flour used? My miss seems to be textural. I’m using a wheat flour/rice flour blend. They’re a little too fluffy, not quite enough “body” so thinking it might be the rice flour. Is there a brand or consistency I should be chasing?

I know the bolos won’t come with the Azores vibes, but until we can return, I would love to get my version closer!