Shuttle service to Lagoa do Fogo returns June 15 and runs until September 30 - Communication

Secretaria Regional do Turismo, Mobilidade e Infraestruturas

The shuttle service providing access to points of interest in the Fogo Volcano visiting area will resume on June 15 and run until September 30.

Now in its third year, this service was created to improve access to one of the main tourist attractions on São Miguel Island.

A pioneering initiative of the Regional Government, through the Regional Secretariat for Tourism, Mobility and Infrastructures, the shuttle operates between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. every day, including national, regional and municipal holidays. It is free for residents of the Azores and costs €5 for non-residents aged six and over.

This service was created to regulate vehicle traffic, ensuring the quality of the experience and ensuring respect for nature.

During this period, access to the road between Caldeira Velha (Ribeira Grande) and Casa da Água (Lagoa) will be restricted to all vehicles, except those belonging to tourist entertainment companies, travel agencies, taxis and residents. 

Buses are scheduled to depart every 30 minutes. Passengers with the same ticket can take only one or both routes, get off the bus at one of the stops and resume the route 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.

In turn, the Green Line starts at Casa da Água (Lagoa), passing by Pico da Barrosa, Lagoa do Fogo Viewpoint and returning to Casa da Água.

Each itinerary has an estimated duration of approximately 60 minutes. The actual duration of the trip will depend on the number and frequency of stops made by each user on the chosen route.

Tickets can be purchased in advance online at https://lagoadofogo.pt/ and at tourist establishments in São Miguel that have subscribed to the respective sales system.

Tourists travelling individually or in groups, independently, have access to the car parks located in Caldeira Velha or Casa da Água and use the shuttle service from there.

Residents wishing to use this service can do so free of charge by purchasing tickets in advance.

Tourist entertainment companies and travel agencies providing tours that include the Fogo Volcano Visiting Area (including the Lagoa do Fogo viewpoint), as well as taxis, do not need to use the shuttle service, as they have access to car parks along the route, subject to conditions of use.

The Secretariat for Tourism, Mobility and Infrastructure provides 200 free parking spaces, namely 101 in the Caldeira Velha car park, 60 in the car park next to Casa da Água and 48 in the short-term car park at the Lagoa do Fogo viewpoint (the latter intended for tour operators, travel agencies, taxis and residents).

It should be noted that 61,400 tickets were sold in 2024, an increase of 3.8% over the previous year.

Since the service began in 2023, the Lagoa do Fogo shuttle has already sold more than 104,000 tickets. This figure demonstrates its effectiveness in managing the flow of tourists and supporting environmental preservation in this protected area, whilst demonstrating the adequacy of the service provided.