BOOKING YOUR OWN FLIGHTS
Booking your own flights has advantages like flying from your home airport, choosing your own seats, upgrading your seats, and using and collecting airline miles. Tour-only travelers are responsible for arranging their entry and exit flights, as well as their arrival and departure transfers. Unused land services including those caused by air schedule changes and delays are non-refundable and smarTours cannot be held responsible.
When booking your flights, please note that our tour starts in Ponta Delgada and ends in Ponta Delgada. We recommend that you:
- Fly into João Paulo II Airport (PDL)
- Fly out of João Paulo II Airport (PDL)
TOUR MEETING POINT
We recommend you arrive around 4 PM to settle in before joining the welcome orientation and dinner on Day 1. Hotel check-in is generally not before 4 PM
TOUR ENDING POINT
The tour ends after breakfast on the last day. Generally, hotel check-out is prior to 12 PM (noon).
PASSPORT AND VISA INFORMATION
Travelers must be in possession of a passport valid for at least 6 months after the date of travel. A visa is not required for U.S. passport holders. Effective for travel in 2025, all visitors who do not require a visa to enter Europe will be required to apply for an ETIAS visa waiver. The application must be completed online and there is a small fee. Once approved, an ETIAS can be used for 3 years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. Before your trip, review travel requirements and restrictions by country including passport and visa requirements. You can also learn more about passport and visa services. Please remember that it is your responsibility to obtain the necessary travel documents before the trip.
TICKETS AND FINAL DOCUMENTS
Final instructions, documents, and travel tips will be emailed to you 10–14 days before the scheduled start of your tour. If you have not received your final documents, please check your spam folder or contact smarTours.
HEALTH REQUIREMENTS
Immunizations are not currently required, however, you may wish to consult your personal physician or local health authorities for their suggestions. The CDC recommends you stay up to date on routine vaccinations, and consult your physician at least one month prior to travel. Learn more about the CDC’s destination-specific recommendations.
CLIMATE
The climate in the Azores Islands is mild year-round. Spring (April–May), is an ideal time for travelers looking for blooming flowers and smaller crowds. Expect ocassional showers with daytime highs in the mid to high-60s and evening lows as low as the 40s. Summer (June–August) is a popular time to visit thanks to sunny skies and little rain so travelers can expect larger crowds. Pack for daytime temperatures in the 70s, nighttime temperatures in the 60s. Late Summer and early Fall (September–October) travelers can expect fewer crowds with some showers and cloudy skies, and rougher ocean conditions on ferries. Expect daytime temperatures to stay in the low to mid-70s and evening temperatures in the low to mid-60s.
November through April, daytime highs are typically in the high 50s to low 60s with nighttime lows in the 40s. May through June, and during October, enjoy daytime temperatures that can reach the mid-60s to low 70s with nighttime temperatures dropping to the 50s and low 60s. The warmest time to visit is July through September with daytime temperatures from the mid-70s to the 80s, depending on your altitude and location, and pleasantly cool nighttime temperatures in the high 50s to mid-60s.
CREDIT CARDS AND LOCAL CURRENCY
The official currency in Portugal is the Euro (€). Hotels and some stores accept major credit cards. However, for “street shopping” you will need local currency. Travelers can obtain Euros at local ATM machines which are widely available. It is recommended that you bring along cash in small denominations.
Electricity
Portugal operates on 230 volts/50 Hz and uses plug types C and F. Learn more about plug types, adapters, and converters.
BAGGAGE
Each passenger may bring one piece of checked-in luggage and one carry-on piece. Please check with the airline for the maximum weight and size for luggage. We recommend that you do not over-pack and that you take a variety of separates with climate and comfort in mind.
