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Ribeira Grande
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Caldeira Velha Environmental Interpretation Centre
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Caldeira Velha Environmental Interpretation Centre

See all things to do
See all things to do
Caldeira Velha Environmental Interpretation Centre
4
About
The Caldeira Velha Environmental Interpretation Centre (CIACV) is a structure dedicated to the promotion of the natural heritage of the Caldeira Velha´s area, which is classified as a Natural Monument. The building has, among other aspects, the main purpose of promoting the particular environmental values, allowing the visitor to discover in loco the particularities of this point of interest and acting as a complementary space of informal education. At the same time offers a wide network of resources and promotes a touristic component. It is also possible to enjoy three thermal pools and a walking trail at the Natural Monument. Concentrated in a space surrounded by natural landscape, the building is noteworthy for being an “object stamped on the landscape”, which adapts to the existing vegetation and rocks, granting it an organic image, consistent with the space.
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< 1 hour
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The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
32 within 5 kms
Restaurante Caldeiras Da Ribeira Grande
234
1.9 km₹₹ - ₹₹₹ • Brew Pub • Portuguese • Vegetarian Friendly
Rodízio Grill Novilho de Ouro
6
1.9 km
Coffee Bar Alfredo
5
1.9 km₹ • American • Bar • European
Restaurante O Silva
777
4.3 km₹₹ - ₹₹₹ • Seafood • Healthy • Portuguese
Bolos Lêvedos de Ricardo Vieira Snack-Bar
1
4 km
Boteco do Miguel
146
4.7 km₹ • Pizza • Fast food • European
Restaurante Residencial Ribeira Grande
13
4.2 km₹ • European • Portuguese
American Bar
3
4.3 km₹₹ - ₹₹₹ • American • European • Diner
Jaagora Take-Away
21
4.4 km₹₹ - ₹₹₹ • European • Portuguese • Vegetarian Friendly
A Merenda
114
4.6 km₹ • Bakeries • Cafe • European
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Attractions
39 within 10 kms
Miradouro Das Cumeeiras
3
0.5 kmLookouts
Salto do Cabrito
508
1.4 kmWaterfalls
Lagoa do Fogo
2,065
1.7 kmBodies of Water
Miradouro da Bela Vista
32
0.8 kmLookouts
Praia de Santa Bárbara
321
Beaches
Lagoa do Congro
217
Bodies of Water
Nossa Senhora da Paz
527
Religious Sites • Churches & Cathedrals
Plantações De Chá Gorreana
1,209
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Lookouts
Miradouro da Barrosa
24
2.5 kmLookouts
Ribeira Grande's Bridge
89
4.6 kmBridges
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See what travellers are saying
  • Sam B
    Alacati, Türkiye8 contributions
    Incredible!
    By far my favorite hot spring on the island. The ambiance and different options were amazing. I went during the week which was great-- fewer people. Great after a hike near Lagoa da Fogo.
    Visited January 2023
    Written 22 January 2023
  • Pedro vasconcelos
    43 contributions
    Perfect to enjoy nature and hot baths
    Caldeira velha is an amazing place with thermal warm waters perfect to relax and enjoy the nature for 1h30m. A pitty the staying time is so short but it’s enough to enjoy the nature and the pools. If it was more time of staying would have given the maximum score
    Visited February 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 20 February 2023
  • santpedor
    Barcelona, Spain504 contributions
    Paradise on earth
    As OAPs we paid an admission fee of 1 euro and we all agreed that it was the best value for money ever. This is paradise on earth. Absolutely magnificent. I could have stayed there all day but unfortunately we had to move on . We spent a week on the island and consider this place THE highlight among many other beautiful places.
    Visited March 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 27 March 2023
  • P S
    Oxford, United Kingdom38 contributions
    Beautiful but crowded
    Beautiful place but very crowded. Our tour guides didn't know that access to the thermal pools must be pre booked and spaces fill up soon. We enjoyed the place but would be nice to have less people in the pool in one go and better facilities to change clothes, etc.
    Visited April 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 28 April 2023
  • Nikki W
    Beaconsfield, United Kingdom103 contributions
    Not sure what you’re paying for
    We arrived to swim but we’re told you had to book days in advance so decided to go in just to the gardens. We have done a lot of hiking while we’re here so perhaps we’ve been spoilt but I’m not sure what the fee was for. It was busy with all the people swimming but there really isn’t much of a reason to go in if you aren’t swimming. There yes a small exhibit on geology but compared to the centre at fumas it was minimal and I wouldn’t bother if you aren’t swimming
    Visited August 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 29 August 2023
  • tripdebbiet
    Menlo Park, California86 contributions
    High 3-star review only because I love thermal baths in general.
    We were initially bummed that we would only have 1 hour out of a 1.5 hour time slot due to the shuttle fiasco to Lagoa do Fogo. However, one hour is plenty of time to visit all 3 pools. Note - the waterfall (small) pool is not thermal. The middle pool is the warmest of the three. All pools are on the small side which is probably why 100 people are admitted at a time and on a timed schedule (colored wrist bands). It was still a bit crowded at 15:30. The surroundings are beautiful. A small kiosk is outside the park for snacks and beverages.
    Visited August 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 3 September 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
1,838 reviews
Excellent
950
Very good
543
Average
212
Poor
82
Terrible
51
Jade C
19 contributions
A must if you visit Sao Miguel
Sep 2023 • Couples
Such a beautiful part of Sao Miguel - definitely worth visiting when you are there. The scenary is amazing and the thermal pools are very peaceful.
Written 5 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tripdebbiet
Menlo Park, CA86 contributions
High 3-star review only because I love thermal baths in general.
Aug 2023 • Family
We were initially bummed that we would only have 1 hour out of a 1.5 hour time slot due to the shuttle fiasco to Lagoa do Fogo. However, one hour is plenty of time to visit all 3 pools. Note - the waterfall (small) pool is not thermal. The middle pool is the warmest of the three. All pools are on the small side which is probably why 100 people are admitted at a time and on a timed schedule (colored wrist bands). It was still a bit crowded at 15:30. The surroundings are beautiful. A small kiosk is outside the park for snacks and beverages.
Written 3 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nikki W
Beaconsfield, UK103 contributions
Not sure what you’re paying for
Aug 2023 • Family
We arrived to swim but we’re told you had to book days in advance so decided to go in just to the gardens. We have done a lot of hiking while we’re here so perhaps we’ve been spoilt but I’m not sure what the fee was for. It was busy with all the people swimming but there really isn’t much of a reason to go in if you aren’t swimming.

There yes a small exhibit on geology but compared to the centre at fumas it was minimal and I wouldn’t bother if you aren’t swimming
Written 29 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Louis F
Altus, OK999 contributions
Worth a visit even if not getting in
Apr 2023
It is worth checking the place out even if you don't plan on swimming. There is an educational center there and it is cool to check out the pools.
Written 7 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
P S
Oxford, UK38 contributions
Beautiful but crowded
Apr 2023 • Couples
Beautiful place but very crowded. Our tour guides didn't know that access to the thermal pools must be pre booked and spaces fill up soon. We enjoyed the place but would be nice to have less people in the pool in one go and better facilities to change clothes, etc.
Written 28 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
santpedor
Barcelona, Spain504 contributions
Paradise on earth
Mar 2023 • Friends
As OAPs we paid an admission fee of 1 euro and we all agreed that it was the best value for money ever. This is paradise on earth. Absolutely magnificent. I could have stayed there all day but unfortunately we had to move on . We spent a week on the island and consider this place THE highlight among many other beautiful places.
Written 27 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pedro vasconcelos
43 contributions
Perfect to enjoy nature and hot baths
Feb 2023 • Couples
Caldeira velha is an amazing place with thermal warm waters perfect to relax and enjoy the nature for 1h30m. A pitty the staying time is so short but it’s enough to enjoy the nature and the pools. If it was more time of staying would have given the maximum score
Written 20 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sam B
Alacati, Türkiye8 contributions
Incredible!
Jan 2023
By far my favorite hot spring on the island. The ambiance and different options were amazing. I went during the week which was great-- fewer people. Great after a hike near Lagoa da Fogo.
Written 22 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HWWoman24
Harpswell, ME252 contributions
I just can’t recommend this place - sorry!
Oct 2022 • Couples
This place is highly overrated! I don’t want anyone to go here assuming that it’s a tropical paradise, because it sadly no longer is. There are only two thermal pools in operation and they were lukewarm at best with flecks of sediment in them. Both pools were crowded and it truly was an unpleasant, cringe-worthy experience. The top pool was closed off with warning signs because it had boiling hot water in it. The waterfall is relatively small and honestly not very pretty or natural-looking. The rocks to get in and stand under the cool water waterfall are very slippery and it’s a constant “changing of the guard” for photo opportunities. There would no reason at all to just pay to walk around because there’s really not much to see. It’s a very small park. We had to wait in line for the few changing rooms and bathrooms - just two private bathrooms and maybe four or five changing stalls. I’m concerned that I may have gotten bacteria from the lukewarm water because I had a small abrasion and foreign matter in the bottom of my left big toe and in the last few days, my entire face and lymph nodes in my neck swelled up. I would strongly recommend those with compromised immune systems from going in these thermal pools. The water is just not warm enough and the pools are too small for the amount of people using them. Consider Dona Beija or Terra Nostra instead. Terra Nostra has a huge mustard brown pool, but also a few smaller “jacuzzi” pools with fresh hot water streaming in from a forceful spout. The jacuzzi pools seem to be less utilized depending on the time of day. Or better yet, try the natural ocean water Ferraria if you can get there at low tide. We didn’t make it there - maybe next time! For an incredible and free botanical experience with no thermal pools, consider the António Borges Botanical Garden in Ponta Delgada. There are world famous international trees there of gargantuan size that you won’t want to miss! It’s an incredible place!
Written 23 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GlobalTravelerBoston
Boston, MA201 contributions
Crowded and No facilities to speak of
Oct 2022
This place is extremely crowded and do not have enough changing rooms and bathrooms to accommodate all the people they let in. The lockers are a joke and will barely hold one backpack and not worth renting for 2 euros. You are only allowed 1.5 hrs and the pools are just warm. The top pool where the small waterfall is cold. If you must come here bring water shoes, towel, and wear your swimsuit. You are better off going to Terra Nostra in Furnas for a truly unique experience.
Written 10 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Caldeira Velha Environmental Interpretation Centre (Ribeira Grande) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos) - Tripadvisor

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