Portugal – What to Expect (Private Tour)

It’s time to get excited!

Prepare to immerse yourself in the captivating charm of Portugal, where a blend of cultural richness, culinary delights, and picturesque landscapes await. The following information is designed to help you prepare for this adventure. Please read the page carefully and let us know if you have any questions at all.

Entry Requirements

Passport Information

You will need a passport to travel to Portugal. Your passport should be valid until at least December 2024 and it should have 2 full empty pages.

If you don’t have empty pages, please contact us and we will send you instructions for getting a new passport in time for the tour.

Visa Information

Citizens of the USA are allowed to enter Portugal without a visa. Portugal is a part of the Schengen Zone, a European zone consisting of 26 countries. As a citizen of the USA, you are allowed to spend 90 days out of any 180-day period in the Schengen Zone as a whole.

Airport Arrival & Pickup

Please follow the below instructions upon arrival at Lisbon’s Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS):

• US citizens can use the automatic e-Gates in order to enter Portugal. This way, you can avoid waiting in the long immigration line. When you approach the immigration area, simply look for the e-Gate line specifically for US citizens and then approach one of the scanning machines.
• Once through immigration, proceed down the long hallway until you reach the escalator that takes you to the luggage carousel area. Please check the monitors as the luggage carousels are scattered among several different areas.
• After collecting your luggage, locate the one exit that takes you through the customs inspection.
• At the end of the customs hallway, you will pass through sliding doors and into the Arrivals Hall.
• You will find your driver waiting for you in the Arrivals Hall with a sign with your name on it.”

In case you cannot find your representative upon arrival, please call or send a WhatsApp message to Derek Baron at +1 (912) 289-5602

Immunizations

Currently, Portugal doesn’t require any immunizations to enter the country. However, as is the case when traveling to any country, it is always good to speak with a medical professional about what immunizations might be right for you and to ensure you are up-to-date with standard immunizations such as Yellow Fever, Hepatitis A, Typhoid and Tetanus.

Country Information

What Should You Expect?

Get ready to set off on your extraordinary 14-day exploration of Portugal, a country rich in history and breathtaking landscapes. Your adventure promises an array of experiences, from private strolls through historic districts to delightful culinary escapades that reveal the heart of local flavors.

Accommodations and Transportation

During this trip you’ll be staying at a variety of 4* hotels, a winery hotel and a beach resort. All accommodations will be comfortable and include private bathrooms.

Traveling around the country you’ll use a private air-conditioned vehicles with your own private driver, allowing you to make multiple spontaneous stops alongside the countryside.

Facts About Portugal

➜ Population: 10.33 million people
➜ Religion: The predominant religion is Roman Catholic, with close to 81% of the population adhering to Catholicism. There are also small communities of other Christian denominations, as well as a minority of people practicing other religions.
➜ Languages: Portuguese is the official language of Portugal, although English is widely spoken, especially in tourist areas.
➜ History: Portugal has a profound history, marked by its role as a powerful maritime nation during the Age of Discoveries. It’s known for its early global explorations and establishment of a vast colonial empire.
➜ Politics: Portugal is a democratic republic with a semi-presidential system, with Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa a the President, and António Costa as the Prime Minister. Their roles reflect the country’s blend of tradition and modern democratic principles.

Food and Water

In Portugal, the tap water is considered safe for drinking and bottled water is not necessary.

The food in Portugal is both safe and fresh. The country is known for its high-quality fruits and vegetables, many of which are locally grown, reflecting the diverse agricultural regions across Portugal. 

Money

The local currency in Portugal is the Euro (EUR). The current exchange rate is $1 USD = 0.91 EUR.

In terms of spending money, you should estimate an average of $30 – $40 USD per day for all of your needs. This would be for meals that are not included in the tour, basic purchases (laundry service, snacks, etc) as well as any activities you choose to do on your own.

Portugal is mainly a cashless society, with credit cards serving as the primary method of payment. Regardless, it’s always a good idea to carry some cash with you in case of an emergency.

As for exchanging money, the best method is via ATM machines which are everywhere in the country. This is the easiest so that you don’t need to carry around large amounts of cash.

However, check with your bank at home as some banks charge high foreign transaction fees every time you withdraw money overseas.

If using an ATM is not an option, or the fees are too high, simply bring USD to exchange at money exchange offices that are located all over the country.

Tipping

Tipping in Portugal is not a big part of the culture, but it is always appreciated. Here’s a general guideline:

➜ Restaurants – 5% – 10% if a service charge is not already added to the bill
➜ Hotel staff – 1€ if someone helps you with luggage or anything else
➜ Your drivers and local guides – We suggest a tip of 10€ per person per day for each local driver and guide, depending on your satisfaction with their services

Safety

Portugal is a very safe country and the chances of anything happening are very slim as long as you use the same common sense you would use at home.

➜ Watch your stuff – Always keep an eye on your stuff and avoid putting a wallet or phone in your back pocket. Keep your purse or shoulder bag on your front hip and make sure the zippers are zipped on your backpack. Simple as that! You can also leave valuables in your room while out and about each day as the hotels we use are all very safe.

➜ Scams – Scams are rare in Portugal. As with any travel though, it’s always good to be aware and if something doesn’t seem right, politely refuse and walk away.

Weather

During this trip, we can expect consistent weather. May is an ideal time to visit Portugal, with very little rain and pleasant temperatures. Here are the average temperatures of each destination we will visit:

➜ Lisbon: 72F/22C high – 55F/14C low
➜ Sintra: 68F/20C high – 54F/12C low
➜ Porto: 68F/20C high – 54F/12C low
➜ Douro Valley: 70F/21C high – 54F/12C low
➜ Évora: 70F/21C high – 52F/11C low
➜ Lagos: 84F/29C high – 72F/22C low

Clothing and Packing

For the most part, wearing comfortable clothing is important. Please note that when visiting religious sites, you are required to wear pants below the knee and shirts that cover your shoulders. Additionally, it’s a good idea to bring some warm clothes for the evenings.

➜ Laundry – Laundry service will be available in most of your hotels. When available, it costs approximately 25€ USD per load.

We recommend packing the following items:

Additional Information

Cameras/Drones

You may bring your camera bodies and lenses into Portugal as a tourist.

Although highly regulated, you may also bring your drone into Portugal. However, to do so, you must first register with the Portuguese Civil Aviation Authority (ANAC), as well as have every planned flight pre-approved by sending an email to rtn@icnf.pt.

Outlet Adapters

Portugal uses standard European plug outlets (Plug Types “C” and “E”), so if you’re coming from the US or Canada, you will need a plug adapter. You can easily find cheap ones online, so we’d suggest shopping around. 

As for electricity, most mobile phones, laptops, and other devices can handle all types of voltage when charging. The standard voltage in Europe is 220v/50Hz. Check your chargers to see if they say 110 – 220V. If that range is listed on the charger, you will not have any problems charging your device while on the tour. 

Staying Connected

Portugal has generally strong internet throughout the country and all accommodations will have WiFi.

If you wish to have a data connection on your phone throughout the tour, the easiest way will be to purchase an E-SIM before the trip, as this will allow you to stay connected from the moment you land at the airport.

You can also set up a local SIM card upon arrival at the airport. Just make sure you have a GSM-enabled unlocked phone in order to use a foreign SIM card.

Another option is to activate your home network’s ‘international plan’ which will allow you to continue using your phone as you would at home, with access to a data connection, for a fee that usually ranges from $5 – $10 per day.

That’s it for now and we hope you are continuing to get more and more excited about this incredible adventure!

If you have any questions about anything, please reach out to team@wanderingearl.com