Wild Island Adventure in the Azores

First, I have to say that we absolutely lucked out with near perfect weather at the start of October. Teresa & Diana were fantastic guides. They not only kept us safe, there were so kind and funny. They arranged additional activities for us to do since the weather cooperates so well. The food was a bit of a mixed bag (some was wonderful, some wasn’t my taste), but portion sizes were on the big side so no one went hungry. Sao Miguel is a beautiful island!

This was my first trip with Much Better Adventures. I went on this trip with 2 friends. We were all absolutely satisfied and happy with the trip. The guides Teresa and Diana were incredibly accommodating, fun and knowledgeable about each area. We were very fortunate about the weather so we were able to do all the activities and there were extra stops and visits thrown in. I highly recommend this tour for anyone seeking an adventure in Portugal.

Sao Miguel is a beautiful island. I loved the views, the scenery, and the architecture. I enjoyed our group dynamic and all of the activities were a lot of fun. Our guides were very personable and did an excellent job planning and facilitating our adventures throughout the week. Thank you Tiago and Teresa for a great vacation!

This was an amazing trip, and the guides were awesome. Nothing was too much trouble and they were so much fun to be around. I was worried as I have a condition that leaves me with about 60 percent lung capacity. However the level 2 holiday was great and l was able to keep up with others and do all of the activities. You can opt out if you really don't want to do something or you can do partial activities, just talk to your guide. I am not into camping but l enjoyed the campsite and the food there was amazing. I would be happy to book again and the island was so very beautiful that l think it has spoiled me for scenery and views now!

What an absolutely incredible week adventuring on the island of Sao Miguel. As someone who came into this trip a little nervous about the level of adventure, I have to give a really special thanks to our guides who were more than happy to work with all different ability levels during this trip. Our main guides, Teresa and Tiago, as well as Pedro and Ines who joined in on a few activities, created an experience that was welcoming to everyone and allowed us all to push and challenge ourselves in a safe space in the middle of paradise. I conquered fears I never thought possible on this trip, while also feeling safe enough to know my limits. All of our guides knew what to do when someone was nervous about an event, and as someone with anxiety, I appreciated their knowledge of how to work with nerves and even panic. All of us were encouraged to face our fears through kindness and acceptance from our guides. Our guides were exceptionally knowledgeable about the island - sharing everything from information about agriculture to fairy tales. And the villages we visited - you feel like you are actually IN a fairy tale! The itinerary may change due to weather, and I appreciated how well Teresa and Tiago were able to pivot based on the forecast to make sure we were able to do all of our activities. We visited just about every corner of the island and I spent every day with my eyes wide, in awe of the ability to see such a magical place with such wonderful people. Some packing tips - make sure your rain coat is actually waterproof! And if you are a coffee lover, bring some of your own instant coffee - the coffee at the first hotel is an experience, ha!, and you will be out adventuring before the cafes open for the day. Thank you Teresa, Tiago, Pedro, and Ines (and Rodrigo who made us laugh on the streets - here is your promised shoutout! 😁) for a week I will hold close to my heart forever. You just might have turned this nervous nelly into a bit of an adventurer. 💛🥾l can’t wait to come back to Sao Miguel!

Tiago and Teresa worked incredibly hard to make the most of our time. They arranged all our activities to get the most out of each day. We got to do our bike ride and see everything glorious view because they moved it to a sunny day. They worked cheerfully to give all of us a great adventure! They cheerleaders and guided and pushed and held a scared hand or joked a smile out of each person as needed. They took great care with our safety but also our happiness💜

Teresa and Tiago truly made this trip unforgettable! I really can’t say enough wonderful things about them, both as guides and as people. They are absolute gems! We also had two days with Pedro, who was awesome as well! The entire trip was incredible, and the experiences were unlike anything I’ve ever done before. I pushed myself outside of my comfort zone so many times, and I’m so happy I did. Coasteering and canyoning were hands down my favorite days! We didn’t have the best weather for a few days, but honestly, it didn’t matter at all. The guides adjusted the itinerary around the conditions so that we were still able to do everything, and we had the best time regardless. The electric bike tour was definitely difficult, so be prepared for that, but the view at the top was absolutely breathtaking and worth the effort. If you’re unable to push yourself all the way up on the bike, the guides will drive you to the top so you can still experience the view. But if you’re physically able to push through, I highly recommend doing it! It made coming down the volcano that much more rewarding. We also got incredibly lucky with a crystal-clear day to see the lake, and it was something I’ll never forget. I also loved the little fairytale stories Tiago shared about some of the places we visited. Those small touches made the experience feel even more special. By the end of the trip, the guides felt like genuine friendships. The camping and BBQ were a really nice, relaxing break in the middle of the trip and gave us a chance to rest and recharge. You are busy with adventures for most of this trip, so I would definitely recommend being realistic about your fitness level and abilities. The trip is listed as Level 2, and as an active, fit person, I found it to be the perfect amount of challenging. However, I did notice that quite a few people in our group struggled to keep up at times. The hike in particular is long and steep, so that’s something to be aware of. Personally, I loved every single day exactly as it was because the activity level was a great fit for me. As far as accommodations, the first hotel was very bare-bones, so I would keep expectations fairly low. The breakfast there was really poor. There are plenty of restaurants within walking distance depending on what type of food you enjoy. Azorean food personally wasn’t a favorite of mine, so food was probably one of the more challenging parts of the trip for me. Definitely bring snacks! I depended on mine throughout much of the trip. The second hotel was much nicer, although there was no air conditioning, which made the temperature a little uncomfortable. The second town was absolutely adorable, though, so make sure you take some time to walk around and enjoy its charm. I also found the food options there much better. A few things I’d recommend bringing: a poncho was a must, 2 pairs of sneakers while one pair dries you have a backup, reusable water bottle, portable battery packs for your phone, plenty of snacks, and an outlet adapter if you’re traveling from the U. S. One of the best things is that the guides take SO many photos and videos throughout the entire trip. You really don’t have to stress about constantly pulling out your phone or trying to capture every moment yourself. You can actually be present and enjoy the experience, knowing they’re documenting it for you. The Azores was a magical adventure I’ll never forget, but truthfully, Tiago and Teresa brought so much to this experience and felt like genuine friends by the end. Thank you both so, so much for the memories! ❤️

The trip lived up to all our expectations, it was wild, it was an adventure but most of all it was fun. Teresa and Sofia brought so much to the group with their music, dancing and laughter. They managed the shifting itinerary so well that we looked forward to every day. We got to know everyone so well that by the end of the week we had made new friends. Thank you Azores for being so beautiful. We will be back!!

Where do I start? Teresa and Luana were superb. They were both knowledgeable, FUN!, and professional. I can’t put into words the one-of-a-kind experience they gave us. Our group bonded so well- we stayed true to safety, group support & encouragement, and just making sure everyone felt comfortable. That environment was fostered by these two ladies. Because of them and this group, we have forever friendships and permanently imprinted memories. I get teary thinking about it. Thank you two Teresa and Luana for the most incredible adventure.

The trip was magical. Our guides, Teresa and Luana, were beyond excellent. Very professional, emphasis on safety, and the makers of pure fun! The activities were so varied and well organized. I learned new skills and grew in confidence. My favorite activity was the canyoning (zip line, sliding down waterfalls, and cliff jumping). Our group dynamic was one of kindness, laughter, and cheering support. I went on this trip with friends and definitely made new ones. I just can’t say enough about our guides expertise and personalities for creating such an impactful and exciting experience. Thanks Much Better- I will be back!!