Hi All,

thinking of staying in the Colina da Lapa Club in Carvoeiro and had quick look on google map and it seems to be a bit far from any beaches and also the two main attractions that interest me slide and spalsh and also zoomarine,

can anyone advise whether my hotel would do excursions or would it be easy for me to travel to Carvoeiro beach or waterpark or zoomarine?

would really appreciate any helps

thanks in advance

Yes Colina de lapa is a fair way out, and you can walk it in Carvoeiro centre (around 40 mins) but generally would advise using hotel shuttle bus or taxis (around 6/7Euro and definately worth it coming back up hill!). On the plus side its a good complex and the apartments/villas are great value for what you get (stayed there a few years ago). There is a restaurant on site, and a couple walking distance nearby in Sesmarias, Island Cafe and good pizza place (called La donata or something).

To be honest the attractions like Zoo Marine and Slide and Splash involve a car journey wherever you stay, but they both run free shuttle buses from hotels. As for the beach, Colina de lapa is actually quite close to one of the best in the area (Canieros). Centianne beach on other side of CVO is also very good as well. Both of these are better than one in centre of Carvoeiro (fine but can get busy) since quiter bit less touristy (more Portugese go there) but they both need a car. However think Colina de lapa run a shuttle bus to the Canieros.

Hope this helps

Hiya, we live in Sesmarias. Colina da Lapa does have a restaurant although the couple that ran it last season are no longer there so dont really know what is going to happen this year. Island Cafe is virtually across the road and you are within walking distance of Sesmarias supermarket, Donatos Italian, Cafe Sesmarias (commonly known as Rosas), Jophil Cafe Bar, and another small coffee shop that sells newspapers etc. You are close to Caneiros, Praia Grande at Ferragudo and Pintadinho beaches, all have beach bars/restaurants. Slide n Splash and Zoomarine have their own coaches who pick up from Sesmarias. If you cant book through Colina,then go the hardware/get anything shop next to Jophil called Multipro,where you will be able to purchase your tickets at discount and book for the relevant coaches too. Enjoy!

ok thank you so much for help to help sum up in my own mind i guess i will be using the hotel free shuttle bus to get to town square and beach or walk to the closer beach and shops which may be better anyway,

in regards to zoomarine and slide and splash what is the best way to do these should i book through the hotel or maybe book tickets before we go then use the free buses they run in which case where do they pick up from etc?

just trying to work out which is best

Would just wait until you get there and suss out who is offereing the best deals then (since as mentioned some of the shops also sell Zoo Marine/Slide and Splash tickets). Also if you decide not to go on courtesy bus to Slide and Splash for whatever reason, its only a few kilometres away (would guess you can actually see it from Colina Da Lapa) and cannot be much more than 7/8 E taxi.

I would wait until you get there and decide on the day when to visit. I prefer to do Zoomarine when it is a little cloudy so I don't get too sweaty walking around! depends on the time of year - again, I probably wouldn't go if it were pouring with rain if I had something else to do.