Parque Terra Nostra

If parks on São Miguel had a ranking, this would sit comfortably at number one. The GOAT.

Parque Terra Nostra is paid, and as far as parks go on the island, it’s basically the only one. Annoying? Maybe. Fair? Yes. You very clearly get what you pay for.

The amount of plant life here is absurd. Different species, different trees, different everything. This is not a “same trees, same bushes” park. You’re constantly walking into something new. It feels curated, intentional, and incredibly well maintained.

Inside the park you’ll also find statues, wide paths, quiet corners, and of course the famous hot spring pools. You can actually bathe here, and there’s more than one pool, which helps spread people out.

The park belongs to a hotel, and that shows in a good way. Facilities are excellent. If you want to eat or sit down properly, you can. Everything feels taken care of.

If you’re in Furnas, this stop is a no brainer. Skipping it makes no sense.

The only real downside is time. This park is huge. If you rush it, you’re doing it wrong. This is not a “one hour and done” place. You need to give it time to make sense.

Rui's Visit Log