Experience Algarve with us

As a coastal retreat, Algarve draws most of its visitors during the summer months. The clear skies and hot sun make a dip in the ocean irresistible. But, the shoulder months present an enticing option for an Algarve holiday, as well. The climate is a tad milder, the beaches less crowded and you can sometimes find great deals on hotel rooms. The winter months create a bit of a challenge: You just never know when it’s going to rain. Get lucky with weather and you could save significant funds on flights and accommodations while enjoying the same Algarve trip you would have if you arrived in the summer. But, if it rains during your entire Algarve tour, don’t act surprised!

If you’re not renting a car and making a road trip out of your Algarve vacation, then here are the most popular alternatives:

• Perhaps surprisingly, Algarve’s trains present a clean, efficient, and on-time mode of transportation throughout the region. The main line runs all the way along the coast, from Lagos in the west all the way to the Spanish border in the east.
• Algarve’s busses are privatized, offering competitive prices and comfortable travel.  Eva Transportes offers special passes that allow unlimited use for 3 or 7 days. If you plan on staying for more than 3 days, opt for the 7 day pass, which is nominally more expensive.
• While taxis in Algarve still offer simplicity of use and surprisingly low prices, Uber has definitely taken hold in the cities. Cheaper fares and easy accessibility through the Uber app all but assures this trend will continue.

An Algarve trip is all about the sand, sun, and fun. But, there is such a thing as having too much fun.  Here are some safety tips:

• Drink spiking has been known to occur in some of the more touristy areas. Make sure you watch your drink carefully like you would on any night out.
• All drugs have been decriminalized in Portugal.But, that doesn’t mean that the unknown substance you just got pressured to buy while walking the beach is safe. It could be anything; so, unless you’ve brought along a purity testing kit, it’s best to avoid the street drugs.
• Don’t get swept away and overdo it with the alcohol. You definitely want to have a good time, but there are still a few ne’er-do-wells that look to prey on obviously drunk tourists and steal your valuables.