Shuttle to Lagoa do Fogo returns this Saturday - Communication

Secretaria Regional do Turismo, Mobilidade e Infraestruturas

Starting this Saturday, June 15, the shuttle to the Lagoa do Fogo viewpoint resumes its activity, which will run until September 30.

Implemented by the Regional Government through the Regional Secretariat for Tourism, Mobility and Infrastructures, the service is free for residents and was set up in 2023 with the aim of regulating vehicle access to the Lagoa do Fogo viewpoint, which has seen a very significant increase due to the increase in the flow of tourists.

Hence, between June 15 and September 30, traffic on the road linking Caldeira Velha (Ribeira Grande) to Casa da Água (Lagoa) will be restricted to non-residents and all vehicles. The exception applies to tourist entertainment companies, travel agencies, taxis and residents of the Azores.

It should be noted that the route included in this service covers 14 km between the Caldeira Velha and Casa da Água car parks and operates every day from 9 am to 7 pm, including public holidays.

This year, it has been readjusted to ensure more frequent journeys and reduce waiting times.

There will be four buses for the Red and Green lines and five tourist stops. Passengers with the same ticket can take one or both routes, get off the bus at one of the stops and resume their journey whenever they wish.

The Red Line starts at Caldeira Velha (Ribeira Grande), passing by Bela Vista Viewpoint, Pico da Barrosa, Lagoa do Fogo Viewpoint and returning to Caldeira Velha, while the Green Line starts at Casa da Água (Lagoa), passing by Pico da Barrosa, Lagoa do Fogo Viewpoint and returning to Casa da Água.

Tickets for the shuttle, which cost 5 Euros for non-residents over six years of age, can be purchased online at https://lagoadofogo.pt and at the tourist resorts in São Miguel that have subscribed to the respective sales system.

As was the case last year, tourists travelling individually or in groups should park their vehicles in the Caldeira Velha or Casa da Água car parks and use the shuttle service from there.

In 2023, about 50 thousand people used this service to visit Lagoa do Fogo.

"With this service, we have created better conditions in the area for a much more peaceful experience. There has been a reduction in road traffic and even in the use of the car parks at the viewpoints," says Berta Cabral, Regional Secretary for Tourism, Mobility and Infrastructures.

"This figure demonstrates the success of the initiative and the suitability of the solution for reorganising tourist flows and visits to one of the Azores' most emblematic attractions. This kind of service aims to respond to the development of the tourism sector while respecting one of our greatest natural assets," she said.