{"id":15407,"date":"2023-03-22T17:05:11","date_gmt":"2023-03-22T17:05:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.montanheiros.com\/?page_id=15407"},"modified":"2023-05-12T17:28:29","modified_gmt":"2023-05-12T17:28:29","slug":"novo-faq","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.montanheiros.com\/en\/novo-faq\/","title":{"rendered":"FAQ Caves"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n<p class=\"alt-font\"><span style=\"font-size: 300%; color: #000000;\">Frequently Asked Questions&nbsp; &nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><em><strong>The Algar do Carv\u00e3o and Gruta do Natal&#8217;s management is the sole responsability of the Associa\u00e7\u00e3o Os Montanheiros.&nbsp; <\/strong><\/em><em><strong>The visitation regulations are implemented only by Associa\u00e7\u00e3o Os Montanheiros.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\r\n<div class=\"text-center\"><div class=\"is-divider divider clearfix\" style=\"max-width:300px;\"><\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"row\"  id=\"row-270511434\">\r\n\r\n\n\t<div id=\"col-1843036347\" class=\"col medium-11 small-12 large-11\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\r\n\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 150%; color: #282828;\"><strong>Visits to Algar do Carv\u00e3o and Gruta do Natal<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%; color: #800000;\"><strong>1. Where are the caves located?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%; color: #282828;\">Both caves are located in the central part of Terceira island. <strong>Algar do Carv\u00e3o<\/strong> is in de limit of Porto Judeu village, in the municipality of Angra do Hero\u00edsmo. It\u2019s about 12 km away from Angra city.<strong> Gruta do Natal<\/strong>is in the limit of Biscoitos village, in the municipality of Praia da Vit\u00f3ria. The distance between the caves is approximately 6 km, a 10-15 minutes car trip.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%; color: #282828;\"><em>\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p class=\"moz-quote-pre\"><span style=\"color: #282828; font-size: 120%;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #800000;\">2. Is it possible to visit the caves all year round?<\/span> <em><br \/><\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p class=\"moz-quote-pre\"><span style=\"color: #282828; font-size: 120%;\">Yes, it is possible.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p class=\"moz-quote-pre\"><span style=\"color: #282828; font-size: 120%;\">The visits to the caves takes place in two seasons:<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li class=\"moz-quote-pre\"><span style=\"color: #282828; font-size: 120%;\"><strong>A  daily openings season\/ high season, from APRIL to SEPTEMBER \u2013 every day<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\r\n<li class=\"moz-quote-pre\"><span style=\"color: #282828; font-size: 120%;\"><strong>A weekly opening season\/ low season, from OCTOBER to MARCH \u2013  on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays <\/strong>(or extra openings on Sundays, Mondays and Thursdays \u2013 see conditions on links below).<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #282828; font-size: 120%;\">The caves are closed on: New Year\u2019s Eve, Carnival, Easter Day, Dec. 1st, Christmas Eve and Day, New Year\u2019s Eve.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p class=\"moz-quote-pre\"><span style=\"color: #282828; font-size: 120%;\">To stay updated with all the correct information click on:<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%; color: #282828;\"><a style=\"color: #282828;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.montanheiros.com\/algarCarvao\/\">http:\/\/www.montanheiros.com\/en\/algarCarvao\/<\/a><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%; color: #282828;\"><a style=\"color: #282828;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.montanheiros.com\/gruta-do-natal\/\">http:\/\/www.montanheiros.com\/en\/gruta-do-natal\/<\/a><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%; color: #800000;\"><strong>3. Is there any public transportation to the caves?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%; color: #000000;\" data-text-color=\"primary\">No, there isn&#8217;t.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #282828;\"><em><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%; color: #800000;\"><strong>4. Does Montanheiros Association organize transfers to the caves?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #282828; font-size: 120%;\">No, they don\u2019t, but there are local touristic companies  that organize trips to the caves.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%; color: #800000;\"><strong>5. Why does Algar do Carvao and Natal Cave have such a short visitation schedule?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #282828; font-size: 120%;\">The management of Algar do Carv\u00e3o and Gruta do Natal is the sole and exclusive responsibility of Montanheiros Association.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #282828; font-size: 120%;\">The Montanheiros Association is a non-governmental organization for the environment and has always implemented a visitation model that would affect as little as possible this specific ecosystem of these natural volcanic caves. For this reason, it  has always been implemented short visiting schedules, to reduce the number of hours of artificial light in these dark habitats, where cave insect\u2019s species live and some are even endemic. Artificial light also affects the geological formations inside caves, where algae and plants start to appear near the light projectors.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #282828; font-size: 120%;\">We cannot live in a world where we put the \u201cpleasure of man\u201d first and relegate the integrity of the natural to second place.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800000; font-size: 120%;\"><strong>6. Are reservations required?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #282828; font-size: 120%;\">No. Only for extra openings the pre bookings are required (see the extra openings conditions below). <\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #282828; font-size: 120%;\"><em>\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800000; font-size: 120%;\"><strong>7. Where are tickets purchased?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #282828; font-size: 120%;\">The Tickets and Combo Tickets are purchased in both caves.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #282828; font-size: 120%;\"><em>\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800000; font-size: 120%;\"><strong>8. What is Combo Ticket?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #282828; font-size: 120%;\"> The Combo Ticket it\u2019s an unique ticket both caves at a lower price. The visitor has the option to visit the caves in the same day or in different days. <\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%; color: #282828;\"><em>\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800000; font-size: 120%;\"><strong>9. What is the validity of the Combo Tickets?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #282828; font-size: 120%;\">If you don&#8217;t visit both caves in the same week or month, the Combo Tickets are <strong>valid during one opening season <\/strong> (1 janeiro a 31 dezembro).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800000; font-size: 120%;\"><strong>10. Do children pay tickets?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #282828; font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Only children under 12 years old have free entrance <\/strong>, accompanied by a paying adult.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%; color: #282828;\"><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800000; font-size: 120%;\"><strong>11. Which payment methods are there?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #282828; font-size: 120%;\">In <strong>Algar do Carv\u00e3o<\/strong> and <strong>Gruta do Natal<\/strong> , payments may be in <strong>Cash<\/strong>, <strong>Credit Card<\/strong> and <strong>Debit Card.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800000; font-size: 120%;\"><strong>12. How long does the visit last?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%; color: #282828;\">The visit lasts on average, in each cave, <strong>20-30 minutes<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #282828; font-size: 120%;\">The caves have different visitation processes (see guided visits conditions below) and although Gruta do Natal is a much smaller cave, the visitation process takes more time because the briefing is given at the reception and a helmet is provided to each visitor. Don\u2019t leave the visit for too late.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #282828; font-size: 120%;\"><span style=\"color: #800000;\"><strong>13. What are the caves visitation dificulties?<\/strong><\/span><em><strong><br \/><\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #282828;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">In Algar do Carv\u00e3o, the access to the cave is through a narrow tunnel and the descent is made by many steps, which connects to several balconies. The total number of steps is 338 steps. Inside the cave, water is always dripping and so the floor is constantly wet. The floor is all cemented. The average temperature is 12 to 13\u00baC.<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 17.28px;\"><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 17.28px;\"><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #282828; font-size: 120%;\">In Gruta do Natal, the access to the cave is made by two short stairs cases and then the visitor walks on the cave\u2019s original floor, which is irregular. There is a route through the cave that is recommended only for the most adventurous. Inside the cave is always dripping water and the average temperature is 12 to 13\u00baC.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800000; font-size: 120%;\"><strong>14. Are visits guided?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #282828; font-size: 120%;\">Inside the <strong>Algar do Carv\u00e3o h\u00e1 um colaborador<\/strong> that gives a brief explanation about the algar formation (there is no added price for this service).<strong> At the reception of Natal Cave, it will be given a brief explanation about the cave and it will be provided a helmet to each visitor.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #282828; font-size: 120%;\"><em>\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #282828; font-size: 120%;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #800000;\">15. Is proper clothing and footwear are required?<\/span><em><br \/><\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #282828;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Inside the caves, the floor is always wet because it\u2019s always dripping water and it\u2019s cold.<\/span><strong style=\"font-size: 17.28px;\"> We recommend suitable shoes and raincoats.<\/strong><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #282828; font-size: 120%;\"><em>\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800000; font-size: 120%;\"><strong>16. Photographs and videos are permitted?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #282828;\"><span style=\"font-size: 17.28px;\">It&#8217;s permitted to take photographs and videos without tripods, except during the guides explanations, if you don\u2019t have permission from them. Photographs and videos with tripod are permitted just with a previous authorization of Montanheiros Association (send request to montanheiros@montanheiros.com).<\/span><strong style=\"font-size: 17.28px;\"><\/strong><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800000; font-size: 120%;\"><strong>17. What\u2019s an extra opening and how it works?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #282828; font-size: 120%;\">The extra openings take place <strong> only <\/strong>during the weekly opening season, from <strong>October 1st to March 31st<\/strong>, and are aimed for <strong>\u00a0<u>organized groups (travel agencies and tourism enterprises)<\/u><\/strong> that are not available to visit the cave during the opening days and schedules established for the season. <\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #282828; font-size: 120%;\"><strong>The Associa\u00e7\u00e3o Os Montanheiros is not responsable for organizing groups for extra openings.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #282828; font-size: 120%;\">It is possible to book only for <strong>domingos, segundas e quintas-feiras<\/strong> <strong>Sundays, Mondays and Thursdays (except on New Year\u2019s Day, Carnival, Easter Day, December 1st, December, Christmas Eve and Day, New Year\u2019s Eve).<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800000; font-size: 120%;\"><strong>18. Why are extra opening expensive?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #282828;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>This type of opening was thought for large turistic groups, visiting the island for a short period of time and for that, it\u2019s not possible for them to visit the caves in a normal opening day. <\/strong><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 17.28px;\">It&#8217;s important to mention that electricity inside the caves and the visitor centers is possible thanks to generators that run on fuel. For this reason, a specific opening for a group implies higher costs for the association.<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong> For more details check at <a style=\"color: #282828;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.montanheiros.com\/algarCarvao\/\">Algar do Carv\u00e3o<\/a>&nbsp; and <a style=\"color: #282828;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.montanheiros.com\/gruta-do-natal\/\">Gruta do Natal <\/a>in &#8220;Extra Openings&#8221;.<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Frequently Asked Questions&nbsp; &nbsp; The Algar do Carv\u00e3o and Gruta do Natal&#8217;s management is the sole responsability of the Associa\u00e7\u00e3o Os Montanheiros.&nbsp; The visitation regulations are implemented only by Associa\u00e7\u00e3o Os Montanheiros. Visits to Algar do Carv\u00e3o and Gruta do Natal \u00a0 1. Where are the caves located? Both caves are located in the central [&#8230;]\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-15407","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/PaT0CI-40v","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montanheiros.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/15407","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montanheiros.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montanheiros.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montanheiros.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montanheiros.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15407"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.montanheiros.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/15407\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":15563,"href":"https:\/\/www.montanheiros.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/15407\/revisions\/15563"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montanheiros.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15407"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}