Caldeira Velha is a small nature reserve with waterfalls, a geological exhibition and thermal lakes for swimming. Stop here ideally for an hour to an hour and a half on your way to, say, nearby Lagoa do Fogo.

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The reserve is relatively small and the local walking trail through the dense Azorean rainforest can be walked in about 20 minutes. The main attraction of Caldeira Velha is swimming in the cascading lakes.

Swimming and volcanic fumaroles

There are about 5 lakes here, all of which can be swum in. The thermal water, with its high iron content, reaches temperatures between 32 and 35 °C, while the water in the largest pond below the waterfall is cooler and between 25 and 28 °C. In any case, you can swim here all year round without any problems.

Along the hiking trail, you can discover several volcanic sulphur fumaroles and the unspoilt nature of the laurel forests with their abundance of ferns and lichens.

Entrance fees and opening hours

Entry to the Caldeira Velha reserve is quite strict and each visitor must spend a maximum of 1.5 hours here. We recommend booking online in advance via the website parquesnaturais.azores.gov.pt, as if you leave the purchase of your ticket until you get there, it may appear that it will be just booked.

When booking online, arrive on time. Reservations are made for the exact hour and if you arrive later, you will be able to stay for that much less time.

The price of the "Full Ticket", which includes the visit and the opportunity to swim in the thermal lakes, is set at 10 eur. If you just want to walk the trail and swimming in the lakes is not for you, the ticket will only cost 3 eur.

It is open daily from 9am to 7:30pm (last entry at 6pm).

How to get to Caldeira Velha?

The nature park is just off the road connecting Lake Fogo with the town of Ribeira Grande in the north of the island. The official car park right at the entrance is free.

The distance to Ponta Delgada is 23 km, while Ribeira Grande is 8 km away.

No bus routes pass by Caldeira Velha.

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