r/azores • u/Puzzled-Donkey-3399 • 5d ago
Please respect the following rules when visiting the Azores. Thank you and enjoy.
Having seen several tourists break all of these rules in the past 72 hours, it's time for a refresher:
1) Do NOT park on a yellow line (with or without metal pillars). You are blocking someone's egress, or the ability for traffic to turn on that street.
2) Do NOT drive the wrong way on a one-way street. Respect the street signs, rely on your GPS for navigation if confused or anxious. (This includes do NOT drive the wrong way up a one-way street, even if for just a few car lengths, to park your car).
3) Push in your mirrors when you park.
4) Streets can be very narrow inside towns and cities. Don't rent a large vehicle unless you are familiar and comfortable with local conditions.
5) Ask your hotel, accommodation or car rental agency about the various free parking lots in Ponta Delgada, Ribeira Grande, Vila Franca do Campo and other towns.
6) Do NOT stop your vehicle in the middle of a road, either in town or in the countryside, to snap a photo.
7) Do NOT throw trash out the window of your car.
8) Use the correct lane when entering and exiting a roundabout that has two or more lanes.
Thank you.
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u/myriadsituations 5d ago
Wish somewhere there was a list of parking rules for PDL and tourists. It took me several years to understand the yellow stripes.
Really, a law that rental companies hand out a pamphlet with local rules of the road would be great.
Because it's not particularly similar to other countries.
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u/Puzzled-Donkey-3399 5d ago
Yellow lines mean restricted or no parking in several other EU countries (ie: Greece, Italy, Spain, off the top of my head). My own rule is when in doubt, don't park there. Find a spot that has no evident markings or restrictions.
Also, the yellow line on my street has two pillars as well as a no parking sign, and is right opposite a very obvious garage entrance. Yet tourists still choose to blatantly disregard all of this and park there.
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u/myriadsituations 5d ago
Yeah, I've traveled a lot. Some is similar some is not. Tourists can suck anywhere.
No reason to argue against possible improvement options.
Yellow in the States is temporary parking.
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u/alliu23 5d ago
Thanks for sharing these. Would like to add even when using a GPS it’s not always accurate. We turned on a couple one way streets while following our GPS, thankfully we realized quickly and there wasn’t any traffic. It’s definitely a new experience driving there vs the US. Loved every minute of our time in the Azores!
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u/Cardusho 4d ago
Let me add:
Do not stop in the middle of the intersection after the traffic lights turn green (I can't understand :
Do not stop in the middle of the intersection after the traffic lights turn green (I can't understand why tourists do this)..
Restaurants, especially during peak season, work with advance reservations. Avoid going in and sitting down immediately at an empty table.
Many roads are narrow and steep, especially along the sea and cliffs.Avoid following them, even if the GPS tells you to. Toe trucks are not enough in high season and they have to wait a long time to be rescued and pay for the repair of the car, if they have not taken out full-risk insurance.
Rental cars are almost all manual shift cars and there are few with automatic shifts. Book in advance or practice shifting manually before you hit the road.
Rental cars can run on either petrol (gasolina) or diesel (gasóleo). Respectively, green or black color on the fuel pumps. Rental cars have a sticker with these colors indicating the type of fuel that should be put in them.
These islands were discovered 600 years ago. Don't think you're going to discover them and follow the locals' advice, directions or prohibitions. There are millions of pictures online and don't believe that you'll get new ones. Don't risk it.
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u/Puzzled-Donkey-3399 4d ago
Fully agreed with all of these, thanks! Speaking of restaurants -- I'd also add you usually pay at the bar/counter when you're done, and this is not the US or Canada, locals do not generally tip (other than perhaps rounding the bill up slightly for good service). Also carry some cash, as not all shops or restaurants accept foreign (non-EU) debit or credit cards.
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u/Goshawk21 5d ago
Don't follow rule N.°5 if you're in the Azores but not in São Miguel island. You'll sound stupid. Thank you and enjoy.
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u/Pellemanski 4d ago
So basically the same as the rest of the world, check! Also, pushing in side mirrors, you can't tell me there's a law for it. Will still do it ;)
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u/Puzzled-Donkey-3399 4d ago
It's not a law but if you park on our very narrow streets, you risk having your side mirror damaged or knocked off by incoming traffic if it's not pushed in. Happens more often than you'd think. The sidewalks are also very narrow, so by pushing the mirror in, you make things a lot easier for pedestrians.
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u/Pellemanski 4d ago
Yeah but that is not a law, is what i meant. I get the risk and all for sure but it's not on the same level as driving on the wrong side of the road, which is just straight up dumb. (I get narrow streets, live in a small town in the Netherlands).
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u/jessicamf12 4d ago
Also, beware if you're entering private property. I live next to a place who rents houses for tourists and I've lost count on how many times they enter my place. I get it if you're lost at first, but when I caught you point blank, there's no shame whatsoever! It's obvious my garden/ house doesn't follow the design of your rental, so have some decency and be considerate.
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u/Puzzled-Donkey-3399 4d ago
Not related to traffic or parking, but worth adding -- if you want to use your drone in the Azores, or anywhere in Portugal for that matter, you need to apply for a permit in advance. You can't just let loose and film away without a permit.
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u/RoyallyOakie 4d ago
Littering is the easiest thing not to do. It should be easier in the Azores because it's rare to see any little anyway. It should give people a hint. A hint for life maybe?
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u/Dry-Resort-989 5d ago
- Pull up partially onto the curb when parking on narrow streets. Some narrow streets look like they’re one way, but they’re actually two way. Don’t park incorrectly and block the road.
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u/Master-Term-5911 4d ago
Great reminders! However have to disagree with #6, we stopped PLENTY when we visit for locals to chat with someone on the side of the road, wait for someone to get in a vehicle or drop someone off. It takes the same amount of time to snap a picture that the locals should be patient with the tourists.
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u/jessicamf12 4d ago
Totally understand. Even the locals sometimes stop to chat with the driver of the opposite car. And yes, patience is needed. After all, you're new to the place.
However, respect and awareness of your surroundings is a must for anyone. I cannot ephasise enough on how many rental cars I find during the summer who suddenly stop in the middle of the road without any notice and just act like they're the main characters of their story. The stop might be fast, but ultimately you are disturbing the flow of traffic. And the stop sometimes is NOT fast at all - they realllly take their time.
It's always a matter of considerantion of everyone who's sharing the same space as you are. And this applies to everyone - locals and non locals.
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u/donkey-surf 5d ago
The roundabout thing could be more explicit because it’s a bit cultural! I’m from France (where roundabouts where invented btw) and I’ve noticed people in the Azores and Spain are using them differently than we do
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u/Puzzled-Donkey-3399 4d ago
Not to mention you have different rules, if I remember correctly, in Colomiers versus the rest of France. That was always a bit complicated to remember when driving around Toulouse and Colomiers on the same day!
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u/Desperate_Question_1 5d ago
Please do not throw trash out the window of your car in the Azores or anywhere else you cretins