Dona Beija Hot springs in São Miguel island

Dona Beija is, without a doubt, one of the best thermal water pools in São Miguel, and a mandatory stop on your visit to this wonderful island.

It basically consists of four small pools of thermal water, immersed in a lush garden that will make you feel as if you were, suddenly, in the middle of an Asian tropical jungle… but with all the comfort and safety. I ALWAYS go there when I visit the island because it is, undoubtedly, one of the best things to do in São Miguel.

There are always many questions in the air about Dona Beija so I decided to write this article to answer them all. If you have any additional questions, write them in the comments box.

When is the best time to go to Dona Beija Hot springs in São Miguel island?

Any time of the year is a good time to go to Dona Beija, but I like to go there on cold, misty and even rainy days. On those days, by definition, there are many things you can’t do on the island (such as testing yourself on one of the best hiking trails). On the other hand, nothing tastes as good on a cold day as diving into a pool of thermal waters. It’s divine.

Regarding the best time of day to go to Dona Beija, it depends on your personality.

If you want the place all to yourself, you should go there as soon as the doors open. At that time there are very few people there, because everyone is busy doing something else.

If you want to make the most of your day, I recommend going there as soon as you’ve finished a hiking trail (especially if it’s a tough one!), because you will feel completely reinvigorated afterwards.

BUT if you want to have a unique experience, I recommend going to Dona Beija at night. Yes, at night! The steam from the hot springs, combined with the lights, creates an unforgettable mystical atmosphere that you will never experience elsewhere. For this reason, it is also the most popular time among locals.

If you decide to go to Dona Beija at night but don’t feel like driving there (the road is quite steep and windy), you can book a tour of the thermal waters + Traditional dinner with pick up in Ponta Delgada. In my opinion it is a cheap tour, because it includes the entrance ticket to the Dona Beija hot springs, plus dinner (the traditional Furnas stew – it’s divine) plus transportation to and from Ponta Delgada.

It is a very popular tour so if it is already sold out, don’t worry – you also have this tour operator that provides the EXACT same service ;)

How much is the ticket?

Currently (2023), the ticket for Dona Beija Hot springs in São Miguel island costs 8€ / adult and 6€ / child under 6 years old. The ticket includes entrance to the enclosure, as well as a basket for personal belongings and the possibility to have a cold shower and to the changing room and the WC.

There are also extra services available, paid separately:

• Towel hire: 4€
• Hot water shower: 1€ / 5 minutes
• Shower kit: 4€
• Locker space: 2€

What is the schedule?

Dona Beija is open everyday (including Sundays and national holidays), from 8h30 to 23h00.

You have to be careful because the last admission is at 22h15, so if you show up later than that, you will not be able to enter.

For how long can I stay?

You can stay at Dona Beija Hot Springs in São Miguel island for 1h30. It may sound like a short time but TRUST ME, the water is so warm that you will not feel like staying for longer than that. 

My suggestion is to take small breaks outside the pools once and while (at least, I start feeling dizzy if I stay in the water for too long), and give yourself 20 minutes at the end to have a shower and to change clothes.

If you don’t feel like showering there, take some old shorts and a warm sweater and put them on in the changing room, so you can at least feel comfortable when driving to your accommodation. (When I go to hot springs and I don’t feel like taking a shower there, I don’t like to wear “good clothes” without having showered before, that’s why I take a change of old, comfortable clothes just for the drive).

What happens if I exceed my stay?

First of all trust me, you will not feel like extending your stay because the water is very warm but in any case, you won’t be able to do so.

When you buy your ticket you are given a wristband of a specific color, that you have to use while you’re in there. Every 30 minutes, a Dona Beija employee goes around the pools checking the color of each person’s wristband. So they know your time is up and they will invite you to get the hell out 😀

Are there lockers at Dona Beija Hot springs in São Miguel island?

Yes! There is an entire wall of lockers in Dona Beija Hot springs in São Miguel island (I was actually impressed by it, since the other thermal baths in the island don’t have it). It costs 2€ to use them.

Can I have a shower there?

Yes, you can shower there and I must say that the changing rooms are usually very clean.

If you don’t want to pay, you can take a bath in cold water for free (it tastes good after soaking in hot water for so long!).

If you prefer to take a hot shower, you have to pay 1€ for every 5 minutes.

Personally, I always prefer to have a shower back home because I really don’t like changing clothes in a public space (even when there is a changing room, which is the case), but you do you!

Is it suitable for children?

This is a somewhat controversial topic and I can only give you my personal opinion.

I personally don’t think that Dona Beija Hot springs in São Miguel island is a kid-friendly place, for several reasons:

– Security: the four thermal pools are kind of infinity pools, with water constantly flowing into the pool and water constantly falling into a pit, shared by all the pools (and that you can clearly see on the photos). There isn’t any barrier to the pit, so if you take children, you’ll always have to pay attention to make sure they don’t fall in there.

– Water temperature: one thing I’ve noticed several times is that children, precisely because they have less body mass than adults, get uncomfortable with the hot water temperature much more quickly than we do. That means they’ll start to get restless and want to get out of there much faster than you will.

– Comfort of other guests: Dona Beija Hot springs in São Miguel island are VERY small, and people go there mainly to relax. It’s not cool to get there and have to put up with screaming and jumping on other people’s kids. Be mindful of that – this is not your pool, it’s a shared space.

For these reasons no, I don’t think the Dona Beija Hot springs in São Miguel island are suitable for children. If you want to take your family for a swim, I suggest you take advantage of the fantastic natural pools in São Miguel island :)

Can I buy the tickets online?

I am afraid not (it’s a bit ridiculous, I agree).

Is there a car park near Dona Beija Hot springs in São Miguel island?

Yes, there is a parking lot right in front of the entrance to Dona Beija hot springs in São Miguel island but it is frequently full. The surrounding streets are very narrow, so if the car park is full, be prepared to have to park your car a little further away than desirable.

This is another reason I recommend getting the tour of the thermal waters + Traditional dinner with pick up in Ponta Delgada – you’re not driving, so you don’t have to worry about parking!