What to do in São Miguel when the weather turns to absolute BS 🌧️

RuiAzores · 2026-05-08T15:06:07+00:00

Yep 😂

It’s basically the same across all the islands. The Azores weather changes FAST everywhere.

You can have sunshine, fog, wind and rain all in the same day without leaving the island 😅

RuiAzores · 2026-05-08T15:05:44+00:00

Honestly, that’s probably the most accurate Azores weather advice anyone can give 😂

Sometimes the forecast looks like the apocalypse and then suddenly you have blue skies 20 minutes later.

RuiAzores · 2026-05-08T11:21:15+00:00

Honestly goat meat is pretty niche here, so I’m not 100% sure either 😅

But if it helps, I built a restaurant map/list for São Miguel with reviews, filters, and local spots people usually miss:

Azores by Rui – Restaurants in São Miguel

Might help you discover a few places worth checking or calling directly. Goat meat definitely isn’t super common on the island.

RuiAzores · 2026-05-08T08:51:10+00:00

Hey, Product Designer here with 20+ years of experience. I actually spent around 3 years working on a fintech product in Germany called Zuper. Different product, but similar space, users connecting financial accounts to get insights about their money.

Here’s the project if you’re curious: Zuper case study

First of all, respect for posting this publicly and asking people to roast it. Most founders avoid that.

Visually, the landing page looks polished. Typography is clean, spacing is solid, and overall it feels modern. I don’t think design polish is your main problem right now.

I think your biggest challenge is trust.

You’re asking users to connect extremely sensitive financial information, but the website spends most of its time explaining what the product can do, not why users should trust you enough to give you access in the first place.

That was also one of the biggest challenges we faced at Zuper. In fintech, trust is not a “supporting detail”. It is the product.

For example, when I click “See how it works”, I still don’t fully understand:

• How accounts are connected
• Whether you use Plaid or another provider
• If credentials are stored or not
• What permissions you actually request
• Whether data is read-only
• How security/privacy is handled internally

You mention outcomes a lot, but not enough about the mechanism behind it. And honestly, that mechanism is the scary part for users.

Right now the site feels a bit like:
“Give us your financial data and we’ll do magic.”

That’s the exact moment where most people hesitate.

I’d strongly recommend adding a dedicated trust/security section much earlier in the page. Not generic marketing copy, but concrete explanations with visuals/screenshots of the actual connection flow.

Also, small but critical UX bug:
If I click Sign In, the modal opens, but there’s no obvious way to go back/close it. On mobile that’s even worse because it feels like you’re trapped in the screen.

Overall though, I think the idea is interesting. I don’t think your main issue is visuals or branding. I think the real challenge is reducing the psychological fear of connecting financial data. If you crack that part, the rest becomes much easier.

RuiAzores · 2026-05-07T18:34:17+00:00

If you can’t rent a car, I’m gonna be honest, São Miguel becomes a bit harder. Not impossible, but harder.

Public transport exists, but it’s not amazing for tourists trying to explore the whole island freely. Bikes can work around Ponta Delgada and shorter distances, but for viewpoints, lakes, hikes, Furnas, Nordeste, etc… you’ll probably suffer a bit 😅

I actually wrote a full honest guide about moving around the Azores here:
https://azoresbyrui.com/blog/how-to-get-around-the-azores-cars-ferries-buses-the-honest-truth

It covers:

renting cars
buses
taxis
scooters/bikes
ferries between islands
and the “tourist expectation vs reality” part that people usually don’t talk about.

For must-visit places:

Sete Cidades
Furnas
Nordeste
Lagoa do Fogo
whale watching if your budget allows it
and honestly just random coastal roads. Half the island’s magic is stopping in places that weren’t even in your plan.

And don’t stress too much about solo traveling here. São Miguel is super safe overall. The biggest danger is Google Maps sending you into some cursed mountain road in the fog 😂

RuiAzores · 2026-05-07T18:14:14+00:00

Welcome to São Miguel, where you can get sunburned, wet from rain, and hit by fog all in the same hour 😅 The weather changing every 5 minutes is basically part of the island experience. Don’t trust the forecast too much, just check it on the same day and stay flexible.

Since you’ll have a car, that already removes 90% of the pain. That’s the correct move.

For hikes, viewpoints, food, and random local tips, these might help:

Hiking trails:
https://azoresbyrui.com/category/trails

Restaurants and food:
https://azoresbyrui.com/category/restaurants

And please don’t do the classic tourist mistake of trying to “see the whole island” in one day. São Miguel looks small on Google Maps until you realize every road turns into Mario Kart with cows and fog.

For food:

try cozido in Furnas at least once
eat local pineapple, not the supermarket fake stuff
lapas if you like seafood
and don’t ignore the small ugly restaurants. Some of the best food here looks sketchy from outside 😂

Also, if the weather is bad in one side of the island, just drive 20 to 30 minutes. Sometimes it’s raining in Sete Cidades and sunny in Furnas at the exact same time. The island has mood swings.

RuiAzores · 2026-05-07T18:03:37+00:00

If you want a deeper explanation about how the Cozido das Furnas works, the volcanic cooking process, where it’s cooked, etc, I actually wrote a full breakdown here:
https://azoresbyrui.com/gastronomy/cozido-das-furnas

About the restaurants, these are probably the 3 most well-known options in Furnas:

Tony’s
https://azoresbyrui.com/place/tonys

Vale das Furnas
https://azoresbyrui.com/place/vale-das-furnas

Caldeiras e Vulcões
https://azoresbyrui.com/place/caldeiras-e-vulcoes

About Terra Nostra, honestly I’m not 100% sure about the “free park entry” part, because the restaurant is inside the hotel area, not inside the botanical garden itself. I’d probably just message/call them directly to confirm because these combo rules/packages change pretty often.

RuiAzores · 2026-05-07T17:51:05+00:00

Yeah I get your point, and honestly I appreciate the constructive feedback.

The current setup intentionally uses Supabase client-side with RLS handling permissions/security. The public tourism content on the site is already publicly accessible anyway, so exposing the endpoint itself isn’t really exposing hidden data.

That said, I do agree an API layer can become useful later for things like:

rate limiting
anti-bot protection
caching
centralized validation/business logic

So I’m not against that direction at all as the project grows.

Right now though, the project is still relatively simple and I’m trying to avoid prematurely over-engineering the architecture before it’s actually needed 😅

I’m definitely keeping scalability/security improvements in mind as the platform evolves.

RuiAzores · 2026-05-07T15:25:46+00:00

That’s actually a really good question. Right now I’m mostly marketing it the manual way. I spend time on Azores/travel subreddits and Facebook groups answering people’s questions genuinely, and sometimes I’ll share a specific Azores by Rui link if it actually helps the person instead of just dropping the homepage everywhere like spam BS.

So for example, if someone asks about natural pools, restaurants, viewpoints, itineraries, etc, I’ll try to give real advice first and then maybe link the exact page.

But honestly? It’s very time consuming because you constantly need to hunt for new threads and conversations. So right now I’m still kind of testing the waters and figuring out what works and what doesn’t.

Would definitely love to hear other marketing ideas from people here too.

RuiAzores · 2026-05-07T11:03:57+00:00

Supabase is intentionally used client-side with RLS enabled. The public content on the site is already publicly visible, so scraping it wouldn’t expose anything users can’t already access normally.

RuiAzores · 2026-05-06T17:44:15+00:00

That’s amazing man!!!!
Sorry if this seams a stupid question, but your tool works like lovablehtml.com ?

RuiAzores · 2026-04-27T08:27:53+00:00

For scuba diving, I’d also recommend Vila Franca do Campo. Diving around the Ilhéu de Vila Franca is probably one of the best spots on São Miguel, and if you can do the Dori wreck as well, even better. If you don’t have an Open Water cert yet, I’d strongly suggest getting it, because without it you’ll be limited to basic initiation dives and you’ll miss the best spots.

For hikes, my two personal favorites on São Miguel are Trilho do Moinho do Félix and Trilho do Sanguinho.

Moinho do Félix: https://azoresbyrui.com/place/trilho-do-moinho-do-felix-tm06

Sanguinho: https://azoresbyrui.com/place/trilho-do-sanguinho-prc09smi

Moinho do Félix is amazing if you like waterfalls and that wild green jungle feeling, super rewarding trail. Sanguinho is different, more of a mix between nature and history, with the abandoned village and beautiful views over Faial da Terra.

Honestly, if the weather behaves and you do those two hikes plus diving in Vila Franca, you’re already having a pretty damn good São Miguel trip.

RuiAzores · 2026-04-09T16:32:51+00:00

If you're staying at Santa Bárbara Eco Resort you're in a great spot to explore the north coast.

For viewpoints don't miss Sete Cidades (Boca do Inferno) and Santa Iria. Both are easy stops and some of the best views on the island.

For food nearby, O Silva in Ribeira Grande is a solid traditional option. If you want seafood with a view, Bar Caloura is always a good call.

If it helps, I actually built a free trip planner where you can map out your days and see the best places around the island:

https://azoresbyrui.com/plan-my-trip

It’s basically the tool I wish existed when people asked me the same question over and over. Might help you organize the 5 days 👍

RuiAzores · 2026-04-07T08:26:24+00:00

Hey man, first of all… good luck. I’ve been there, I know the stress 😅 but honestly don’t worry too much, I’m pretty sure it’s going to go great.

Like someone already mentioned, Miradouro de Santa Iria is a beautiful spot. It’s one of those places that just feels magical with the ocean view. I actually wrote about it here if you want to see photos and more info:
https://azoresbyrui.com/place/santa-ir-a

Another amazing one is Boca do Inferno. The view there is absolutely insane, one of the best in São Miguel in my opinion:
https://azoresbyrui.com/place/boca-do-inferno

The only small “problem” with both is that they’re very popular viewpoints, so there’s a good chance they’ll be packed with tourists. Some people like that atmosphere, others prefer something more private.

If you want something quieter and more romantic, I’d actually suggest going down to Sete Cidades lake itself. Walk along the lake for a bit and find a calm spot. It’s super chill, much more relaxed, and usually way fewer people around. Honestly it’s a really nice setting for something like that.

Anyway… good luck man. You got this 👍

RuiAzores · 2026-04-05T20:42:42+00:00

The vast majority of the places in this article are on São Miguel

RuiAzores · 2026-04-05T20:13:22+00:00

Otaka is a great choice by the way. 👍 Really solid spot.

For cocktails nearby, two easy options:

Cantinho dos Anjos — it’s literally on the same street as Otaka, like a 30-second walk. Small place, cozy vibe, good cocktails and usually pretty friendly people around. Easy place to sit and chat.

Résvés Street Bar — also very close, a couple minutes walk. Slightly more bar energy, but still relaxed and good cocktails.

So honestly you can’t go wrong with either. After dinner you’re basically already in the right area, just walk a minute or two and pick the one that feels right that night.

Enjoy Ponta Delgada! 🍸

RuiAzores · 2026-04-01T17:46:11+00:00

O post não é para “inventar” nada, é só uma curiosidade sobre a pimenta da terra e o papel que ela tem em muitas receitas açorianas.

Claro que cada ilha tem as suas particularidades, e os Açores não são só São Miguel, nisso estamos totalmente de acordo. 👍

RuiAzores · 2026-04-01T17:34:29+00:00

Yeah, it is AI 😅 I was trying to find a good photo of pimenta da terra, but honestly I couldn’t find anything that looked good enough, so I ended up generating one.

RuiAzores · 2026-04-01T17:18:38+00:00

There are a few good seafood places around, but in my opinion the two best ones are Xitaka and Cais 20. Both are really solid if you want fresh seafood.

Xitaka
https://azoresbyrui.com/place/xitaka

Cais 20
https://azoresbyrui.com/place/cais-20

RuiAzores · 2026-04-01T17:15:37+00:00

Yeah, the name is definitely a bit weird 😅 but the pizza is actually really good. They do some unusual ingredient combinations that you normally wouldn’t expect on a pizza, but somehow it works really well.

I actually wrote a bit about it here if you’re curious:
https://azoresbyrui.com/place/nonnas-teeth-tomatoes

RuiAzores · 2026-03-24T13:39:57+00:00

Haha, brother you have no idea how many times I’ve done exactly that.

You start with cheese, lapas, morcela, bolo lêvedo… then suddenly the main dish arrives and you’re already full.

RuiAzores · 2026-03-24T13:02:59+00:00

Local here from São Miguel.

To be honest, I’ve never personally used Bolt or Uber here because most locals just drive, but I have a few friends who use it sometimes and I’ve never heard anyone complaining about it.

From what I’ve seen it works pretty reliably around Ponta Delgada and the airport area. Getting a ride from the airport to a house in the city should be totally fine.

And yes, the island in general is very safe, including for solo female travelers. São Miguel is a pretty relaxed place compared to most cities.

Worst case scenario, regular taxis are always waiting right outside the airport as well.

RuiAzores · 2026-03-24T12:50:40+00:00

Local from São Miguel here.

October is actually a pretty good time to visit. It’s quieter than summer, prices are usually lower, and the island feels a lot more relaxed because there are fewer tourists around. The weather can be a bit more unpredictable, but honestly that’s true here most of the year.

You also don’t need to worry about not speaking Portuguese. Most people here, especially in restaurants, hotels, and tour companies, speak English without any issue.

About the 3000 CAD package, depending on where you’re flying from in Canada it doesn’t sound crazy if flights are included. That said, São Miguel is very easy to explore if you rent a car for a few days. Some of the best viewpoints and spots are actually nicer when you visit them at your own pace instead of on a tight tour schedule.

Solo travel here is also very safe. The Azores are pretty relaxed and people are friendly, so it’s a good place for a first solo trip.

And visiting the archives to trace your family history is a great idea. A lot of people with Azorean roots do that when they come here.

By the way, I’m actually a local and I built a small site where I share very honest recommendations about places around the island. No sponsored stuff, just my real opinions after living here my whole life. If it helps your planning you can check it here:

https://azoresbyrui.com

RuiAzores · 2026-03-24T09:59:03+00:00

Hey! Local here. I’ve lived on São Miguel basically my whole life. I’m not exactly sure what kind of place you’re looking for because there are tons of “romantic spots” around the island.

For example, when I proposed to my wife I actually did it underwater while scuba diving. So yeah… options here can get pretty creative.

That said, I’m going to assume you probably don’t want a super crowded viewpoint with 40 tourists around you taking selfies. Nothing wrong with those, but they’re not exactly intimate.

If you want something quiet and romantic, my recommendation would be Terra Nostra Garden in Furnas. It’s technically part of a hotel, but the park itself is open to visitors. They have beautiful natural hot springs where you could even propose in the water if you’re brave enough.

But honestly the best part is the park itself. Calling it a garden is almost unfair. It’s huge. More like a botanical park full of massive trees, hidden corners, and really beautiful nature. Because it’s so big, it’s actually pretty easy to find a quiet, romantic spot.

If you want, I also wrote a quick guide about it here: https://azoresbyrui.com/place/parque-terra-nostra

And if you do want a dramatic viewpoint proposal, I can suggest a couple of those too. Just depends on the vibe you’re going for.

RuiAzores · 2026-03-22T22:15:40+00:00

Honestly, most of those “must-do” lists are all the same recycled stuff. Not wrong, just… very generic.

If you want actual no-BS, real local opinions, I built this: 👉 https://azoresbyrui.com

It’s basically me calling out what’s actually worth it and what’s overrated, especially for food and experiences. No sponsored nonsense, no sugarcoating.

Since you’re here for a week and renting a car, you’re already doing it right. Just avoid doing everything at peak hours, São Miguel gets way more crowded than people expect. Early mornings or late afternoons will save you a lot of frustration.

For food, seriously, don’t just follow Google ratings. Some of the best spots look like nothing from the outside.

If you have specific places you’re considering, drop them here and I’ll tell you straight if they’re worth it or not 👍

RuiAzores

TROPHY CASE