Azores misc advice

Hi, I rented a car in May through DiscoverCars where the supplier is Ilha Verde. On other posts this company was mentioned as good. I have read pros and cons about SIXT. Based on things I've read since renting the car (some on a FB group for Portugal and some here), I requested that DiscoverCars cancel the prepaid Full Coverage insurance so we can pay for it at the time of pick-up at the Sao Miguel airport. I'm doing that just to be ultra cautious - paying the rental car company directly for their insurance coverage, not the third party booking company for insurance. The fine print through DiscoverCar is they will require I pay upfront for problems and then request reimbursement from them. (No thanks.) Again, just because I have read a variety of posts and think, for us, it'll be less hassle should there be any need to use the insurance. I can't tell you how envious I am that you found an AUTOMATIC!! I have also been advised to take videos and pictures of the car inside and out before accepting it and documenting ALL pre-existing damage, including on the wheels. One person even said should the car get really sandy inside, to clean it up as much as possible before returning it. I really hope it's not as difficult as some make it sound!! Enjoy. I'll be interested in hearing the responses to your questions.

Suggest looking for rooms on Booking.com. We are staying in Ponta Delgada, Ribiera Grande and Furnas areas. Nothing is costing anywhere near $200 a night but I look for simple, good reviews, and breakfast included. Not looking at spas or high end since we don't plan to spend much time in any room. Paying much higher prices in Lisbon and Porto.

Thanks! I’ve heard the same thing about documenting the inside and outside of your vehicle since some companies are less than honest regarding damages. Making certain sand is gone is also good advice. I would have thought it would be covered for typical use.

I think I will directly contact car Rental places since I simply reserved a vehicle online. I hate to get there and find no automatic available or if they give it away before I get there if the plane is delayed. That would throw a monkey wrench into my plans. I’d rather prepay than get there and have no vehicle.

I’ve heard mixed reviews about Discover cars as well. I checked them also. The rental place you selected seemed to have decent reviews.

Still need to get my hotel. Thanks again.

I have rented with Sixt in different parts of the world including the Caribbean, Albania and other areas in Europe and haven’t had any issues with them. In fact I tend to like renting with them even though in the US I have had tons of rentals with Hertz and Avis when traveling for work

Thanks. I did send a message to them and they responded quickly. Fingers crossed.
Anyone have positive experience with any other rental?

Hello again. I’ve heard that different sides of the island experience varied weather. Does anyone know what the weather is like on different sides of the island in May?

For instance, when I traveled to Maui in May, the northside was like a tropical rainforest. While the south west side of the island was hot and sunny.

Is São Miguel like this?