Paradise is what would best describe Caldeira Velha. Picture this: you are walking inside a lush jungle with fascinating plants all around, the birds sing, and you hear water flowing. Getting deeper inside the vegetation, you will see perfectly tempered waters inviting you for a swim.
The warm waters, hidden inside Serra da Água de Pau’s lush forest, make the scenery look like Jurassic Park in real life. It displays a beautiful waterfall and several thermal water pools with different temperatures.
To enjoy this relaxing experience, we will tell you everything you need to know about Caldeira Velha, a must-do on the island of São Miguel in the Azores.
What is the Natural Monument of Caldeira Velha?
The natural and regional monument of Caldeira Velha is one of the five hot springs on São Miguel island. It is located in Ribeira Grande, on the road of Lagoa do Fogo.
Nestled at about 628m above sea level, Caldeira Velha was classified as a biosphere reserve in 2008. It is important for the fauna and flora of the Laurisilva forest.
Caldeira Velha was created by the volcanic complex of Lagoa do Fogo.
Thanks to volcanic activity, the oldest waterfall of iron-rich water is about 25ºC, and the most recent one is heated with fumaroles and can reach 35-38ºC.
What to Do at Caldeira Velha?
There are five hot springs on São Miguel island: Terra Nostra, Poça da Dona Beija, Ferraria, Caldeira da Ribeira Grande, and Caldeira Velha. Each one is unique, and Caldeira Velha is no exception. The main difference between the two is the lush forest scenery and the hot waterfall — so Instagrammable! Moreover, the interpretation center is very informative if you are curious about the volcanic islands of the Azores.
Relax in the Hot Springs
Caldeira Velha has four pools, with temperatures ranging between 25 and 38ºC, depending on the pool. The main attraction is undoubtedly the waterfall at the end of the park, which creates amazing scenery for photos. However, the pool for this waterfall is not as warm as the others. However, being under the cascade makes a perfect massage for your back.
Simply enjoy the warm waters of Caldeira Velha. The pools are not too deep, so you can stand or sit. It is truly a romantic experience in heaven. Every hot spring is different from one another.
Thermal water is known for its therapeutic and medicinal characteristics. The brownish and orange shades in the water are caused naturally by the iron present in the springs. For instance, you can take some iron residue from the walls and put it on your skin.
Visit the Environmental Interpretation Center
In the central building lays a permanent exhibition to learn more about Caldeira Velha. At the interpretation center, find out about the formation of São Miguel island, the volcanic origins of the Azores, but also biodiversity, geodiversity, and much more.
In addition to providing an educational experience, you can also shop for souvenirs to bring back home.
Walk Around the Lush Jungle
The park is about 13.16 hectares, so there is much to explore! There is an easy and short walk called Trilho da Nascente Termal. This 300m path is great to discover at the end of the thermal spring, where water comes out from the fractures of the trachytic rocky outcrops. The flowing water is about 32 °C due to the geothermal reservoir of the Fogo Volcano.
Inside the park, you can see boiling water with signs to prevent it from entering the far too-hot water for a swim. Moreover, you can see some fumaroles, just like in Furnas.
In addition, take some time to look at the diverse, fascinating vegetation like tree ferns, acacias, bamboos, and many more tree species. If you are lucky, you might even see the smallest bird in Europe in Caldeira Velha: the goldcrest. Due to the great climate of Serra d’Água de Pau, this endemic subspecies of São Miguel island can be found at the hot springs.
Best Season to Visit Caldeira Velha
We highly recommend visiting during fall, winter, or spring to enjoy the warm waters. However, it is also possible to swim warmly at Caldeira Velha during summer, mostly when it rains, as the cold rain mixed with the thermal waters feels good.
Differences Between Seasons
Caldeira Velha is a wonderful place to visit all year round. If you want to experience this great pleasure when you enter the hot waters, choose a day when temperatures are colder, the wind is blowing, or the rain is pouring. Caldeira Velha is easily crowded during summer, and the line to get in gets bigger.
In the springtime, you can truly appreciate the lush vegetation of Caldeira Velha and spot some flowers around the park to bring some color to the scenery.
Winter is when hot springs are the most wanted among locals. However, there are few tourists at this time of the year, so you can make the place less crowded. Fall is also a great season to visit the hot springs when the vegetation slowly turns orange and brown.
Best Time of the Day
The best time of day to visit Caldeira Velha is early morning. When the hot springs open, go early to avoid having too many people around and waiting a long time.
Moreover, it is quite empty during lunchtime and early afternoon as people eat. In the late afternoon, it gets more crowded, and having too many people in the pools can be less enjoyable.
Plan your Visit to Caldeira Velha
We have your back if you want to know everything about Caldeira Velha before you go. Keep reading for all the tips and details about the hot springs on the mountain.
How to Get to Caldeira Velha
Caldeira Velha is located on the road EN5 2A, Estrada Regional Lagoa do Fogo, Ribeira Grande on São Miguel island in the Azores. The easiest way to get to Caldeira Velha is by car, as there is no public transportation.
You can also opt for a taxi or one of our amazing tours to discover the hot springs. Our friendly guides will take you on a half-day or full-day tour to explore this beautiful part of the island and much more.
Pro Tips for a Good Time at Caldeira Velha
The first thing to know if you want to swim in the hot springs of Caldeira Velha or any other hot springs on the island is not to bring a white or clear-colored swimsuit. Indeed, the iron can stain them orange. Moreover, hot water can cause the fabric to lose elasticity, so it is better to take an old swimsuit, not a brand new one, or you could get disappointed.
Besides, remove your rings, necklaces, and other jewelry before entering the hot water. The iron can turn them into different colors. Lastly, iron is good for your skin but doesn’t mean it is good for your hair. It can dry your hair, so avoid putting your hair in the water, especially dyed hair, as it can change color. There are showers, toilets, changing rooms, and comfortable benches inside the park.
To avoid big crowds, Caldeira Velha is closed for 2 hours. Despite this restriction, this is enough time to explore the park and relax in the hot springs. Furthermore, only 125 visitors are allowed in the park at a time, and 50 in the thermal pools.
Recently, they built a bigger parking lot so you have plenty of space to park the car. It is necessary to walk about 2 minutes to reach the park entrance. Caldeira Velha is accessible to people with reduced mobility.
Price and Opening Hours
Since 2018, residents of the Azores do not pay to enter Caldeira Velha. Proof of residency will be asked at the entrance. Travelers must pay 1 euro to access the site, or 10 euros if they want to swim in the hot springs. Here is the complete price list for 2024:
Entrance with hot springs:
- Child (0–6 years old): free;
- Junior (7–14 years old): 5 euros;
- Adult (15–64 years old): 10 euros;
- Senior (65+ years old): 5 euros.
Only park and interpretation center entrance:
- Child (0–6 years old): free;
- Junior (7–14 years old): 1 euro;
- Adult (15–64 years old): 3 euros;
- Senior (65+ years old): 1 euro;
Regarding the opening hours in 2024, Caldeira Velha will be open daily. However, they can close when it rains a lot due to the water levels, so it is better to contact them (see contact information below).
- November 1 to March 31: 9 am to 5 pm;
- April 1 to April 30: 9 am to 6:30 pm;
- May 1 to September 30: 9 am to 8:30 pm;
- October 1 to October 31: 9 am to 6:30 pm.
For more information, we recommend visiting the official website or contacting +351 296 704 669 and emailing parque.natural.smiguel@azores.gov.pt. Please note that it is now possible to book online. On this site, you can see the availability in real-time. This way, you don’t need to wait in line to enter, and you can make sure you can go when you want.
What to do After Caldeira Velha?
Caldeira Velha is located within a beautiful area of São Miguel island, where there are plenty of things to see. So once you are relaxed by the warm waters, explore this natural playground.
For instance, the unmissable Lagoa do Fogo is at the top of the mountain. You can observe it from several viewpoints, or if you feel more adventurous, hike down to the lake beach. It is quite a simple hike of about 30 minutes one way, but the descent and then ascent are pretty sharp.
Also on the same peak is Salto do Cabrito waterfall. It is worth going down and seeing this wonder of nature. Some people swim around in the fresh waters, while adrenaline lovers will go down with ropes while on a canyoning tour. There is also a hike if you take the stairs to walk along the river.
Another idea is to go to Santa Barbara’s black sand beach and enjoy the waves, surf at this famous spot, or lie down and get some vitamins from the sun.
👉 Post related Best Beaches in the Azores Islands. Read more!
Complementary Information
Useful Tools & Apps
The weather in the Azores can be variable, so it’s helpful to use some apps before visiting the islands. Spotazores offers live camera feeds from the main tourist attractions, letting you check the weather and plan your visit. For accurate weather predictions, use Windy or Windguru — they provide the most reliable predictions.
How to Get to São Miguel Island
São Miguel Island is easily accessible with numerous flight routes. Lisbon and Porto are the main entry points to the continent, with direct flights to Ponta Delgada available. To find the best flight, use search engines like eDreams or Skyscanner.
These platforms allow you to compare prices and schedules from different airlines in one place. For more details on how to get to the Azores, look at our guide. Once you find the perfect flight, book it! You’ll reach one of the world’s most beautiful island groups in a few hours.
Best Season to Visit São Miguel Island
São Miguel Island, part of the Eastern Group of the Azores Archipelago, has a unique climate shaped by various factors. This climate fosters the island’s lush vegetation and stunning landscapes. Temperatures stay mild year-round, with only slight variations.
In spring, temperatures average 16 °C, summer peaks at 21 °C, autumn cools to 18 °C, and winter hovers around 14 °C. For more details on the weather in the Azores, take a look at the following links:
- The weather in the Azores in January
- The weather in the Azores in February
- The weather in the Azores in March
- The weather in the Azores in April
- The weather in the Azores in May
- The weather in the Azores in July
- The weather in the Azores in August
Cultural Agenda of São Miguel Island
São Miguel Island hosts a wide range of cultural events throughout the year. The complete list of events is on the cultural agenda!
Video of Caldeira Velha (São Miguel Island, Azores)
FAQs
What is Caldeira Velha?
Caldeira Velha is a natural park on São Miguel Island in the Azores. It features lush vegetation, a geothermal hot spring, and waterfalls, offering visitors a unique spot for relaxation and connection with nature.
Can you swim in the pools at Caldeira Velha?
Yes, visitors can swim in the thermal pools at Caldeira Velha. The water is naturally heated by volcanic activity, providing a warm and soothing experience surrounded by nature.
What is the entry fee for Caldeira Velha?
The entrance fee for Caldeira Velha varies depending on age and residency. Typically, adult tickets cost around €10. Discounts may apply for children, people older than 65, or Azores residents.
Is Caldeira Velha suitable for families?
Yes, Caldeira Velha is family-friendly. It offers shallow thermal pools, stunning nature trails, and educational information about the island’s geothermal activity, making it ideal for visitors of all ages.
Conclusion
Now you are ready to go to Caldeira Velha! Enjoy the warm waters in the lush jungle and explore the wonderful mountains. Contact us if you want a professional guide to take you there safely and share extensive knowledge about the island.
