Important Information

PORTUGAL VISA: Starting in 2026, most visitors will require an EU Travel Information & Authorisation System (ETIAS) which will be obtained online. Be sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned departure. There may be some exceptions, and it is the responsibility of all travellers to ensure they meet all entry requirements. Click here for more info.

CULTURE SHOCK: Portugal is a highly developed Western nation. Crime rates are low and the nation is generally safe, but beware of pickpockets and petty theft anywhere that’s popular with tourists.

LOCAL LGBT SCENE: Even on the largest island, São Miguel, the nightlife leans quiet, with just a handful of laid-back bars and the occasional small club in Ponta Delgada. There are no queer events to speak of, however, you’ll still find pockets of LGBTQ+ friendliness. The only explicitly gay-friendly spot is Azores Forever Diner, a cozy hangout in the capital.

WEATHER: May is a stunning time to experience the Azores at their freshest. Daytime temperatures are comfortably mild, typically hovering between 60°F and 70°F (15°C to 21°C), with cooler evenings that may require layers, especially inland or at higher elevations. The skies are often bright, the ocean sparkles in the sunlight, and the summer crowds haven’t arrived yet, making this an ideal moment for hiking crater lakes, soaking in geothermal pools, and exploring historic towns at a relaxed pace.

REQUIRED VACCINATIONS: Based on the entry requirements for Portugal, there are no mandatory vaccinations. To determine if you should take preventative measures to reduce the risk of illness, consult with your doctor or a travel medical clinic. Out Adventures cannot provide vaccination recommendations.

ELECTRICITY: You will need an international travel plug/adapter for Type F sockets. Visit the Portugal page on Power Plugs and Sockets of the World for more info.

CONNECTIVITY: All of our hotels will have Wi-Fi access. If you require connectivity, we recommend purchasing an international data plan or local SIM card (with an unlocked device). Even with a SIM card or roaming plan, coverage may be weak.

We’re dedicated to ensuring our tours are safe for everyone, and it is our belief that each traveller has a responsibility to protect themselves and their fellow travellers from illness. Out Adventures no longer requires guests to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination, nor to isolate in the event of respiratory illness. Our Hosts and/or Group Leaders may ask those with respiratory or cold symptoms to wear a mask in confined areas. Local laws may be more strict and will always supersede our policies.

Out Adventures is all about good times with like-minded folks. Whether we’re sitting around a campfire or indulging in five-star decadence, our goal is to make the experience magical. We also support the communities we visit by hiring local guides, staying at locally-owned accommodations whenever possible, and seeking out authentic local cuisine. It all adds up to a great way to immerse yourself in the culture.

Daily breakfast, 7 lunches, and 6 dinners are included.

Grand Hotel Açores Atlântico
Av. Infante Dom Henrique 113,
9500-150 Ponta Delgada, Portugal
Phone: +351 296 302 200

Standard check-in time is 3PM. We are unable to arrange early check ins, however you are able to store your luggage and explore the central area near the hotel while you wait. If you would like a guaranteed early check-in, you will need to reserve a pre-tour night of accommodation.

Octant Hotels Furnas
Avenida Dr. Manuel de Arriaga, Furnas,
9675-022 São Miguel, Portugal
Phone: +351 296 249 200

If you would like to extend your stay, additional accommodations can be booked in advance.

If you are happy with the services throughout your trip, a tip is recommended. Tipping details will be provided in your final trip documentation, however we recommend budgeting approximately $120 – $210 USD.

Portugal’s local currency is the Euro (EUR). Credit cards are widely accepted.

NOTE: We recommend carrying approximately $200 USD to be used in case of an emergency, or if your credit/ATM cards are placed on hold. This should be in addition to any spending money.

Most Out Adventures entail carrying your own luggage on occasion. The following packing list is a guideline, not gospel. Out Adventures specialists are happy to answer any specific questions about how much or little to bring. 

PLEASE NOTE: This tour has a per-person limit of 50lbs/23kg per checked bag and 17lbs/8kg carry-on per carry-on bag due to restrictions on the internal domestic flights. 

Travel Documents

• Passport
• Flight itineraries
• Pre-trip packet
• Travel insurance confirmation including 24-hr emergency collect phone number
• Out Adventures invoice
• Photocopies or an email with photos of important documents such as credit cards/passport/drivers license (we recommend you keep a copy at home as well)
• Credit/ATM cards & cash

General Personal Items

• Smartphone/camera/tablet/charging cords
• Power Plug adapter (https://www.power-plugs-sockets.com/portugal/)
• Eye mask
• Earplugs
• Refillable water bottle (tap water in the Azores is safe to drink)
• Luggage lock
• Guidebook/phrasebook/reading material
• Sunglasses
• Small travel umbrella
• Sun protection/hat

Shoes

• Socks (Preferably both hiking and quick-dry socks)
• Hiking shoes/boots (good quality and worn-in, especially if opting into Pico hike)
• Shoes you’d feel comfortable wearing to a nice restaurant
• Sandals

Bottoms

• Underwear (Preferably sweat-wicking briefs)
• Pants (Preferably lightweight hiking pants with zip-off legs)
• Waterproof pants
• Shorts
• Swimwear
• Pants you’d feel comfortable wearing to a restaurant

Tops

• Short-sleeved shirts (Preferably sweat-wicking)
• Long-sleeved shirts (Preferably sweat-wicking)
• Sweaters (Lightweight and preferably fleece)
• Shirts you’d feel comfortable wearing to a restaurant
• Light jacket for cool evenings
• Waterproof jacket/poncho

Health-related Items

• Face masks/hand sanitizer gel/sanitizing wipes
• Small First aid kit including ibuprofen, acetaminophen, cold/flu tablets, diarrhea tablets, rehydration packs
• Personal Medication in original bottles 
• High protection sunscreen/lip balm
• Toiletries including toothbrush, toothpaste & deodorant
• Antibacterial gel/wipes

For everybody’s peace of mind, medical travel insurance is required on all Out Adventures tours. At a minimum, your travel insurance must provide cover against personal accident, death, medical expenses, emergency repatriation and personal liability, with a minimum medical coverage of US $100,000.

Click here for more details on our requirements and how to obtain coverage. We highly recommend that you insure your full purchase, including trip cancellation and medical.

All Out Adventures are led by a gay (or gay-welcoming) guide. Whenever possible, we hire destination locals. And we can also connect you with the right people if you’d like to delve deeper into the local culture.

Out Adventures are a great way to meet people from around the world and all walks of life. Bear in mind that everybody’s there for a good time, so mutual respect will go a long way. Please be on time for any meetups, empathetic to the needs of others, and ready to roll with whatever the adventure brings.

Although we can’t tell you who your fellow travellers will be for privacy reasons, we can tell you many great friendships began with an Out Adventure. And just because we’re a gay tour operator doesn’t mean we’re exclusive: friends and family are always welcome to join the fun.

If you’ve never travelled on your own, it’s an amazing way to get to know yourself while making new friends along the way. We can arrange for you to share a room with people in your age range at no charge, or you can pay a supplement for your own room. If there’s an odd number of solos, we’ll rotate a single room on a random basis.

We love when groups of friends join us on an Out Adventure, whether you’re celebrating a major milestone, or you just love to travel together. However, since we have travellers that will be flying solo, or as a couple, we would love your help ensuring everybody feels welcome and has an epic time. Here are some ways you can give us a hand, while also getting to know and befriending your fellow travellers:

• Sit with (and get to know) different people at different meals
• Mix up walking partners on excursions
• Invite solo travellers to join you for an optional excursion or meal
• Enjoy inside jokes in privacy, or let the group in on the secret 😉

If you’d rather relish an exclusive escape with just your own party, we also offer private departures. This is a great way to create and manage your own holiday guest list, while possibly saving money as well. Please contact one of our Adventure Specialists if you’re interested in a customized quote.

This tour is rated 2.5/5 and is not suitable for guests with mobility issues due to the amount of walking on uneven ground, and up/down stairs.

All guests must have a good level of health, and all tours involve uneven steps or stairs, and you will be required to carry your own luggage from time to time. Unfortunately, we are not able to accommodate individuals with limited mobility unless they are willing to absorb the cost of a private guide/assistant which varies by country and is only possible on a case by case basis. It is also your responsibility to advise Out Adventures of any pre-existing medical conditions that may increase the risk of you requiring medical attention, or that may affect the normal conduct of the tour and the enjoyment of the tour by other participants.

Below is a breakdown of our Physical Rating guide.

1 – Relaxing

• Very little or no hiking
• Light activities such as walking, bike tours, paddling or swimming are completely optional
• Low altitude
• Suitable for all fitness levels

2 – Light

• Light walking and hiking (2 hours or less per day and at low altitude)
• Light activities such as bike tours, paddling or swimming are completely optional
• Suitable for most fitness levels

3 – Average

• Light walking and hiking (3 hours or less per day, rarely at high altitude)
• Some activities such as biking, paddling or swimming. Active days are mixed with relaxed days
• Suitable for an average fitness level

4 – Demanding

• Walking, hiking is a component of the tour (can range from 2 hours to 6 hours per day, at various altitudes)
• Activities such as biking, paddling or swimming may be mixed in
• Suitable for a good fitness level

5 – Challenging

• Walking, hiking, biking, paddling or kayaking are the vast majority of the trip (can range from 2 hours to 8 hours per day, generally at high altitude)
• Activities will likely happen day after day with limited rest days
• Suitable for above average fitness level

The itinerary is correct at time of publishing. If anything, it will only improve with feedback from prior travellers and our own research. It’s best to reference your final trip documents, rather than our website, in case there have been any changes that affect your departure.