Santa Maria is small (97 km²) and easy to explore with a rental car, but public transport is limited and the island has no inter-island ferry. Here is how to get around Santa Maria once you arrive at the airport.
Getting Around Santa Maria: Rental Cars
A rental car gives you full freedom to explore Santa Maria and is the recommended option. Ilha Verde and Autatlantis have desks at Santa Maria Airport (SMA). Rates start at €40-50 per day for a manual compact; book 1-2 months ahead for summer. The island’s main roads are well-paved and gently winding. The EN1-2A circles much of the island. Access to Barreiro da Faneca (the red desert) is via an unpaved track that is manageable in a standard car when dry; after rain, go slowly and watch for ruts. Automatic cars are very limited: book early if you need one.
Getting Around Santa Maria: Taxis
Taxis operate from a rank in Vila do Porto and from the airport. Sample fares from Vila do Porto: Praia Formosa €10-12, Barreiro da Faneca €15-18, BaÃa de São Lourenço €12-15, airport €8-10. For a half-day island tour, negotiate a rate with the driver (expect €60-80 for 3-4 hours). Most taxi drivers speak basic English. Taxis in rural areas must be called by phone; your accommodation can provide the number. Tipping is not expected but rounding up is appreciated.
Getting Around Santa Maria: Public Buses
Santa Maria has a minimal bus service with 1-2 departures per day on the main routes connecting Vila do Porto to Praia Formosa, São Pedro, and Santa Bárbara. Services are designed for school and worker commutes, not tourism. There is no bus service on Sundays or public holidays. The bus does not reach the Barreiro da Faneca access point. Fares are €1-2. The bus is not a practical option for sightseeing unless you plan your day around a single destination and are patient with timing.
Getting Around Santa Maria: On Foot
Vila do Porto is walkable: the town centre, harbour, and main church are all within a 10-minute walk of each other. The official hiking trail network connects Vila do Porto to Praia Formosa and beyond, and walking the island end to end is feasible for fit hikers (the island is 17 km long). For day trips to beaches and the red desert, walking is impractical without a car or taxi: distances from town are 5-10 km each way on roads without pavements.
