Can you imagine exploring Jurassic Park with your own car that allows you to access its most hidden corners or escape quickly from a T-Rex? Well, that’s just it. The island of Flores, in the Azores, is an authentic Portuguese Jurassic Park in the middle of the Atlantic, so we consider it essential to rent a car to know it well and at your own pace.
We rented a car in all the Azores Islands in our 2-month trip around the archipelago, (except for the small island of Corvo where there is not even that possibility) and in our favorite island, Flores, it was not going to be less. In this guide we tell you which car rental companies exist in Flores (Azores Islands), what to check at the time of rental (insurance and excess), how to get the best price and how our experience traveling by rental car on the Azorean island of Flores was.
Contents
- Why is it essential to rent a car in Flores (Azores)?
- Is it safe/easy to drive in Flores (Azores)?
- How to rent a car in Flores (Azores)
- What to consider when renting a car in Flores, Azores
- Where to stay in Flores (Azores): hotels and apartments with parking
- Maps and useful Apps for driving in Flores (Azores)
- Our experience renting a car in Flores (Azores)
Why is it essential to rent a car in Flores (Azores)?
Although it is not one of the largest islands in the Azores, it was the one that became our favorite for its breathtaking scenery and for how much there is to explore and enjoy in its 143 km2. On this island you can drive to the sunset at the most westerly point in Europe, Fajã Grande (well, the most westerly point would actually be the islet belonging to Flores, the ilhéu de Monchique, which is not accessible). You will also know that, although you are driving in Europe, geographically speaking, you are actually stepping on the American continent since both Flores and its neighbor Corvo (the westernmost islands of the Azores) sit on the American tectonic plate.
If you want to get an idea of the kind of landscapes we are talking about, take a look at our guide to Flores. However, to enjoy all these places it is essential that you rent a car for your trip to the island and in this guide we tell you how and what you have to take into account.
If you are considering public transportation around the island, you can see the timetables here. Connections and frequencies are quite limited, but if you are traveling on a low budget it can be a valid option to visit some of the main points of the island.
If, on the other hand, you have considered renting a motorcycle instead of a car for this trip, remember that long distances on a motorcycle can be uncomfortable and, more importantly, the unstable and changeable weather in the Azores will make you have all four seasons in the same day… on the motorcycle.
Another option if you do not have much budget or if you don’t drive is to base yourself in the small capital of the island, Santa Cruz das Flores (where there are some incredible natural pools) and hire a tour to get to know the island better, although if you can rent a car, all the better:
- Tour of Flores, around the island: a tour around the island stopping at some of the most iconic places in Flores (Fajã Grande, Rocha dos Bordões, must-see viewpoints, Alagoa and even Ponta Delgada).
- Tour of the Flores and Lajes Lagoons: one of the attractions of the island of Flores are its 7 lagoons located in the calderas of inactive volcanoes. In this tour you will see them all.
- Tour of the viewpoints of Flores: a one-day tour that includes several viewpoints of the island.
- Hiking Tour around the island of Flores: you can choose between 5 different hiking trails to get to know the island. The best known is the route through Ponta Ruiva and Ponta Delgada.
Is it safe/easy to drive in Flores (Azores)?
In general, the main roads in Flores are in good condition so driving is quite easy and calm, even if you don’t have much experience. That doesn’t mean that we didn’t get a scare or two, like a car stopped in the middle of the road after a curve with no visibility because that man met his neighbor in the car in the opposite direction and decided to stop to chat for a while. Be aware that the Azores are predominantly rural so slow down, take a deep breath and arm yourself with patience because parked cars everywhere, unexpected turns or cow traffic are commonplace.
Some tips if you do not have much driving experience and/or are particularly concerned about driving on more complicated or unpaved roads:
- In the Azores in general it can be common to suddenly come across cows on secondary roads, so be patient, admire them and enjoy the unhurried travel.
- Drive slowly and cautiously. An island like Flores is perfect for slowing down, enjoying the views and, in addition, avoiding scares.
How to rent a car in Flores (Azores)
Car rental companies in Flores (Azores)
Unlike in other islands of the Azores, in Flores there are fewer options to rent a car, being present the two main local companies, which are the ones we recommend generally in the Azores. To find the best price, we recommend you use DiscoverCars and check very well the conditions of each company and not only the price:
- Ilha Verde: the biggest rent-a-car company in the Azores but also the one that asks for more deposit (1200€) and of which we read some negative options regarding the wait at the airport to pick up the car and demands with some damages. The truth is that Inês used Ilha Verde on her first trip to the Azores (to the island of São Miguel, the biggest of them all) and everything was great.
- AutAtlantis: the cars we used all over the archipelago (including Flores) in our last trip to the 9 islands of the Azores were from AutAtlantis and everything went perfect! Moreover, it is one of the rent-a-cars that asks for a lower deposit and deductible (700€, compared to 1300-1500€ of other companies).
We try to keep this post as up to date as possible but always check the information when booking as some of these conditions may have changed and Discovercars presents all the information in a clear and transparent way.
Car rental prices in Flores (Azores)
Prices for car rental in Flores vary depending on the number of days you rent a car, the season, the type of car and how far in advance you book. They rarely go below 25€ per day (although, especially in winter, you can get them for less) and, to give you an idea, in the summer of 2021 and 2022 they reached 100€ per day and we know several people who did not manage to rent a car because they left it to the last minute.
Ideally, you should consult and compare all the companies with availability for your dates on DiscoverCars. Remember to check the rental conditions of each company (excess, insurance coverage, fuel policy, second driver or not included, reviews…) and not only the price.
Also, a good thing is that in Flores there are no tolls so you will only have to count on the price of car rental and fuel to make an approximate budget of how much you are going to spend.
What to consider when renting a car in Flores, Azores
Book in advance
Especially since travel resumed after the pandemic, since 2021, some of the rental companies that had to sell part of their fleet to hold on, now have difficulty acquiring more vehicles, so with less supply and much more demand, prices have risen and it is possible that in high tourist seasons, you don’t find available cars or you find them with very high prices. Therefore, it is very important to try to book as far in advance as possible.
Deposit and Franchise
The vast majority of rental car companies require a deposit when picking up the rental car, which translates into the blocking of a certain amount on the credit card, which is frozen until the end of the rental period. If there is any problem (scratches on the car, accidents, etc.), the blocked money will be used to pay these expenses (up to the value of the excess); if there is no problem, the money is unblocked from the credit card and is available again.
When we visited the Azores, Ilha Verde was the company that asked for the highest deposit (1200€ were blocked in the credit card and unlocked when the car was delivered in perfect condition) and AutAtlantis and Wayzor (in other islands) had the lowest deposit (between 700€ and 850€) but it is important that you check at the time of booking as it may depend on the type of vehicle or change over time. In the DiscoverCars comparator you will be able to see it clearly so that there are no mistakes.
If you are going to travel to several islands in the Azores and rent a car in all of them, keep in mind that if you do it with the same company they usually keep the deposit from one rental to another (that is, they do not block the amount of the deposit in each reservation, but the first block is carried over to the following ones). It is important to keep this in mind because if you rent with several companies, it is possible that you will be left with a lot of money withheld, since the release of the money is not immediate once the reservation is finalized.
In turn, the excess is the maximum amount that you will have to pay in the event that the vehicle has suffered major damage or breakdowns, i.e., you will only have to pay it in the event that the car has suffered damage or damage but, in most cases, you can eliminate it by paying X euros more per day or by taking out a specific insurance policy.
To understand it with an example, if the excess is 700€, you will pay a maximum of 700€ in case something happens to the vehicle:
- If any part of the car is scratched and the stipulated price for it is 200€, you will pay those 200€.
- If something more serious happens and the stipulated price for it is 2400€, you will pay 700€.
- That is, up to 700€ you will have to pay it yourself, and what exceeds that will be paid by the insurance company.
Fuel Policy
Ideally, you should choose a full-full fuel policy, i.e. you receive the car with a full tank of fuel, and you deliver it with a full tank. There is also nothing wrong if the car is delivered with half a tank and you will have to deliver it with half a tank, but, besides the fact that it is always more complicated to fill the tank to exactly where you want it at the gas station before delivering it (and you lose money), there may be misunderstandings with the company.
In either case, take a photograph of the mileage and fuel level when the car is delivered to you and you will have photographic proof of how it was delivered to you. Most of the local companies we recommend have a policy of returning the vehicle with the same fuel level as indicated in the contract. In our case we always create an alert when we rent the car so that the day before the return we remember how much fuel we have to return the vehicle with.
Mileage
Most local rental companies include unlimited mileage, so you don’t have to worry and can drive around Flores freely. In any case, be sure to confirm this in the terms and conditions (and/or use DiscoverCars filters) before booking.
Type of car
The roads in Flores are in good condition so in our opinion, the most basic and smallest car (the cheapest) is usually more than enough. In any case, depending on your preferences (if you are 5 people or even more, or if you prefer an automattic or more powerful car) most companies have cars for all tastes. Use DiscoverCars filters if you have preferences to be able to compare the prices of various companies for the type of vehicle you prefer.
Extras (GPS, additional driver, baby seats, etc.)
Most of the extras have to be paid separately, making prices go up (usually X euros per day for each extra), so if you are going to need them, use DiscoverCars filters to see the prices of the different companies with those extras included and do not get surprises later at the time of booking.
One of those extras is GPS: in our opinion, it is not worth paying for it nowadays as it is much easier and faster to use apps like Google Maps on your smartphone. So, you can take our map of the island in your Google Maps app, select the place to visit and follow the GPS indications of the app itself. We recommend you to bring a good cell phone holder (and remember to remove it when you deliver the car hahaha, in our case we have already forgotten a few) and a good powerbank (some cars bring USB charger, but not always and sometimes they charge very slowly).
Payment methods
Most car rental companies ask for a credit card in the driver’s name to block the deposit amount. In any case, the ideal thing is to check the particular conditions of each company in the Discovercars search results (there you will find all the information).
If you don’t have a credit card, you will have to limit yourself to companies that only ask for debit cards, which in general are few and more expensive. If you search in DiscoverCars, in the filters you have a specific one (Payment Method) to see only the companies that accept one type of card or another.
Extra insurance: yes or no?
If you prefer to pay a little more to avoid headaches or hassles at the time of delivery of the rental car, you can consider hiring the Discovercars Full Coverage Insurance . The current cost starts at 6,36 € per day, valid for car rental in the Azores Islands. More info about the insurance.
As a recommendation, when the vehicle is delivered to you, make a video/photo of the car’s condition, to avoid situations in which the company tells you that some of the damage was not there and they want to charge you for it.
Visit the neighboring island of Corvo
If you plan to take advantage of your trip to Flores to visit the neighboring island of Corvo, don’t hesitate! Corvo hides one of the most spectacular landscapes of Portugal, the Caldeirão (the impressive caldera of its volcano) and its people are amazing.
The three ways to get to Corvo Island from Flores are:
- By speedboat: here you can hire the round trip by speedboat and it already includes transfer to and from the impressive Caldeirão.
- By Atlantico Line ferry (in any case, only for people, you will not be able to take your rental car so you will have to hire a transfer to Caldeirão upon arrival). This service was not operational when we visited the island.
- By plane with Sata, in the shortest flight we made, just 7 minutes. Although we arrived in Corvo by speedboat, after two days we had to return by plane because the sea conditions did not allow the speedboat to leave (we slept 2 nights on the island of Corvo and highly recommend it).
Very important: if you can, Corvo is worth spending at least one or two nights there. The island is much more than its Caldeirão.
Where to stay in Flores (Azores): hotels and apartments with parking
The ideal for Flores is to sleep in Fajã Grande or nearby, where there are not only some of the most beautiful spots on the island (Poço Ribeira do Ferreiro, Poço do Bacalhau, Fajã Grande itself) but also some of the best restaurants and accommodations.
If, like us, you can’t find accommodation in Fajã Grande due to lack of availability, remember that everything in Flores is about half an hour away by car so it’s ok. We finally stayed in the capital of the island, in Santa Cruz das Flores, where there is more variety of accommodation and in this link you will find a list of accommodations with parking very close to the incredible Natural Pools of Santa Cruz and Poça das Salemas, and we loved it.
Lajes das Flores is another very good option to stay, with excellent restaurants nearby. The point that seems to be farther away for you to look for accommodation on the island of Flores is Ponta Delgada, so this would be the only point on the island where we do not recommend you to make a base.
Where to stay in Fajã Grande and surroundings
- Residence Mateus (50€/night): Simple and comfortable rooms overlooking the impressive Poço do Bacalhau waterfall.
- Palheiro da Assomada (55€/night): A very cozy house with one bedroom and a sofa-bed in the living room with a plus: Flower butter and homemade jam for breakfast.
- Aldeia da Cuada (from 70€/night): Rural tourism in stone houses of different sizes (depending on the number of guests there are houses with 1, 2, 4 or 6 rooms). Each cottage has its own kitchen and outdoor space. Of course, the goal is to connect as much as possible with nature and disconnect from the rest, so there is no TV or WiFi, for that you will have to go to reception or to the (very good) restaurant of the complex. It is undoubtedly the most famous accommodation on the island and you have to book well in advance.
- Moinho da Cascata (from 70€/night): a cottage right next to the Poço do Bacalhau waterfall, the most beautiful on the island. It can accommodate up to 6 people
- Sítio da Assomada (75€/night): A wooden cottage for a couple or family with children, idyllic, with a garden
- Casa Via d’Água (from 80€/night): A 2-bedroom house that accommodates up to 6 people. The garden with hammocks is ideal for relaxing during the day and stargazing at night.
- Alojamentos Flores Island (from 80€/night): Houses from 1 to 3 bedrooms in the village of Fajã Grande. Unbeatable service
- Casa Atlantida (from 85€/night): 1 to 4-bedroom houses facing the Atlantic Ocean, direct access to the sea, barbecue and private parking.
More options where to stay in Fajã Grande here
Where to stay in Fajãzinha
- Casa da Queijaria (65€/night): Are you familiar with Queijaria Pico Redondo? This 2-bedroom house (where up to 5 people can stay), kitchen and sea view is managed by Mrs. Ilda Helriques, the cheese maker. Do you know what that means? Delicious fresh cheese for breakfast and, who knows, a little farewell gift?
- Fajãzinha Cottage (70€/night): A house for 2 people in front of the sea, ideal to enjoy the sunset.
Where to stay in Santa Cruz das Flores
- Casa da Cruz (62€/night): House with 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, kitchen and terrace (barbecue) with sea views.
- Casas da Quinta (from 75€/night): remodeled one-bedroom houses and one apartment with sea views
- Inatel (from 100€/night): small hotel with double rooms with minimalist decoration overlooking the sea and the island of Corvo.
- Casa Vicente (from 120€/night): a spacious house overlooking the Atlantic. Accommodates up to 5 people.
More options in Santa Cruz das Flores here.
Where to stay in Lajes das Flores
Everything on the island of Flores is really close (with the exception of the northern tip of Ponta Delgada, where we do not recommend staying), so from Lajes das Flores you can move in a short time to the main points of the island, offering good accommodation options. Staying here has a great advantage: its gastronomic offer.
- Casa das Pedras Brancas (from 62€/night): A one-bedroom house with a terrace and incredible views, 100 meters from Praia da Calheta.
- Casa dos Morros (from 65€/night): A one-bedroom house (and sofa bed in the living room), terrace and everything you need, washing machine included.
- Vivenda Joaquim (from 70€/night): One-bedroom house with a terrace with hammocks and sea views, and a vegetable garden from which, with luck, you will be able to taste some vegetables.
- Casa das Flores (from 110€/night): A one-bedroom apartment with a kitchen, living room and terrace overlooking the sea.
More accommodation options in Flores with parking included here
Maps and useful Apps for driving in Flores (Azores)
In this Google Maps map that you can carry on your smartphone to consult at any time we leave you all the places of interest in Flores that we talked about in our complete guide to the island.
Here you can see tourist map with the roads of Flores (click on the image to download it in larger size and resolution).
We recommend that you carry a good holder for your cell phone, to use Google Maps as GPS in the car (and remember to remove it when you deliver the car, in our case we have already forgotten a few) and a powerbank (some cars come with USB charger, but not always and sometimes they charge very slowly).
In addition, we recommend these apps that will be very useful when driving to explore the island of Flores:
- SpotAzores (Android / iOS / Web): here you can see all the existing webcams in different points of the islands to see how the weather is. Because the weather is very changeable and it can be raining in one part of the island and sunny in another, this app is the fastest way to make sure and avoid unnecessary trips.
- Google Maps (Android / iOS): this app is our best friend on the road. Besides working as a GPS, it is the app we use to save/classify all the places we want to go/have gone. You can see other people’s opinions of the places, photos, restaurant menus, phone numbers of the places to contact them, etc.
- Maps.me (Android / iOS): this app is similar to Google Maps but works better offline than the previous one and that’s great in some parts of the island where you lose connection.
- Windy (Android / iOS / Web): essential app for our trips. It allows you to see forecasts not only for wind but also for rain, clouds, etc. to help you plan your days based on the weather (as there are places that lose a lot depending on the weather). Obviously the forecasts are not 100% reliable. It also shows the available webcams
Also, always travel with travel insurance: medical expenses, theft or problems with your plane on a trip can mean a lot of money, so the ideal is to take out travel insurance. At Randomtrip we always use IATI and we recommend it. If you contract your insurance through this link you have a 5% discount.
Our experience renting a car in Flores (Azores)
Our rental car was from Autatlantis and everything was perfect: the attention upon arrival was fast and effective, the car was spacious, comfortable and in very good condition and we had no problems. Practically all the companies include in the insurance a deductible, and Autatlantis is one of those with a lower deductible (700€, compared to 1300-1500€ of other companies). As we have said, the prices of rental cars in Flores rarely fall below 25€ per day and, especially in summer, we recommend booking well in advance to avoid running out of vehicles or that the few that are available have prohibitive prices.
Driving through Jurassic Park, sorry, the roads of Flores is a real adventure in itself where you will want to stop every so often to contemplate a breathtaking waterfall, a panorama that resembles a Windows background or, escape from a T-Rex (rather what you will find are calm and happy cows but we must give wings to our imagination). Fortunately, the roads of the island are dotted with several viewpoints precisely for that reason. Stop and enjoy, unhurried, whenever possible and safe.
What are you waiting for to explore this Portuguese Jurassic Park? Fasten your seat belt and… Have a good trip in the most beautiful paradise of the Azores!
