Furnas Jeep Tour: Hot Springs, Tea Plantation & Cozido Lunch

Summary

Jeep adventure to furnas crater with cozido lunch and hot pools

You’ll ride through winding roads to Furnas with a local guide, sample fresh-picked tea on a plantation visit, watch your cozido lunch lifted steaming from volcanic earth, then soak in warm thermal pools before heading back to Ponta Delgada—all with drinks included and plenty of small surprises along the way.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was the smell—kind of earthy and eggy—when we rolled the jeep window down near Furnas. Our guide, Rui, grinned and said, “That’s the volcano saying bom dia.” He took us off the main road almost right away, bouncing past mossy stone walls and hydrangeas that looked like they belonged in someone’s grandma’s garden. We stopped at a tea plantation where the leaves were bright green even under the clouds. I tried the local black tea (stronger than I expected) while Rui explained how it’s still picked by hand here. He pointed out a woman working between the rows—her hands moved so fast I almost missed it.

At Pico do Ferro, mist drifted across the crater lake below. It was quieter than I thought it would be—just birds and our footsteps crunching on gravel. Then we headed down to Furnas itself. The caldeiras hissed and bubbled like something alive. There was this spot where you could feel heat rising through your shoes (I kept stepping back, just in case). Lunch was cozido, which is this stew cooked underground for hours in volcanic steam. They pulled up our pot right in front of us—meat, veggies, all soft and smoky. The wine flowed pretty freely too; maybe that’s why everyone at our table started swapping stories in three languages.

I’d heard about Dona Beija before but didn’t expect how silky the hot water would feel after all that walking. Some locals were there too, chatting quietly or just floating with their eyes closed—it felt like time slowed down for a bit. If you want Terra Nostra instead, you can pick that (we stuck with Dona Beija). On the way back we stopped at Nossa Senhora da Paz chapel—the view over Vila Franca was kind of hazy but peaceful. Funny how even after all those stops, I still remember the smell of sulphur clinging to my jacket more than anything else.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Full day tour of Furnas area

• Travel to Furnas crater
• Visit tea plantations and sample tea
• See Pico do Ferro viewpoint
• Explore Furnas Lake
• Visit Caldeiras of Furnas
• Enjoy Cozido lunch cooked in hot springs
• Relax at Dona Beija thermal pools
• Visit Nossa Srª da Paz
• Drive through Vila Franca and Ponta Delgada

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for this Furnas jeep tour?

Yes, hotel or port pickup and drop-off are included for most hotels in Ponta Delgada.

What is cozido lunch on this day trip?

Cozido is a traditional Azorean stew cooked underground using volcanic steam for several hours; it’s served as lunch during the tour.

Are drinks included during the tour?

Yes, unlimited beer, wine, and soft drinks are included with your lunch.

Can vegetarians join this Furnas jeep tour?

Yes, vegetarian options are available if requested at booking.

Is entrance to Dona Beija or Terra Nostra Garden included?

No, entrance fees for Dona Beija or Terra Nostra Garden are not included in the price.

How long does this day trip to Furnas take?

This is a full-day tour departing from Ponta Delgada with multiple stops around Furnas.

Is this tour suitable for children or people with limited mobility?

The tour is suitable for all fitness levels; infant seats are available and it’s wheelchair accessible.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel or port pickup and drop-off from Ponta Delgada (most hotels), a guided jeep journey along scenic secondary roads to Furnas crater with visits to tea plantations and caldeiras, unlimited beer, wine and soft drinks at lunch (cozido cooked in volcanic steam), plus time to relax in hot thermal pools before returning home in the evening.