Explore Portugal Excursions
Enjoy perusing some of the adventurous outings you can experience on your Portugal Yoga Retreat!
Surfing
Retreat groups have a few different options for surfing. Guests can rent a surfboard and wetsuit, and go out on their own, or they can have a lesson. There are a few different spots where people surf. The most popular area is Praia Malhao, which is a 17 minute drive from Cocoon. Furnas Beach is also a nice beach to surf.
At Praia Malhao, you can rent a board + wetsuit, or you can arrange for a lesson. Surf Milfontes usually offers a lesson or two each day. Surfing is best at low tide. The timing of the lesson depends on the tide, so it’s best you arrange a day or two in advance. Max 8 guests per teacher, they have a few teachers. Surf Milfontes has mostly foam boards, and a few proper surfboards.
Cocoon’s manager can arrange a surf lesson with Surf Milfontes, or you can arrange directly with them. You do not need to arrange a surf lesson before you arrive in Portugal, you can arrange with our manager in person once you arrive. If you want to arrange directly, please call or WhatsApp Antonio +351 926 900 891. They are our friends so you can tell them we sent you. Surf lessons are €40 per person, including board, wetsuit, 1.5-2 hour lesson. Surf rentals are €30 per person, including board and wetsuit
Horse-back riding
Moita Nova Equestre is a wonderful equestrian center near us. They clearly care for their horses, and operate their business with integrity. Their place is a 10-12 minute drive away, just right before the Cabo Sardao lighthouse. The ride is an hour, which can be longer if the group desires. Beginners are okay to ride, however their ride will be more like 30 minutes getting to know the horse, and 30 minutes ride. Five guests maximum at a time. Anna leads the ride. The ride goes from approximately Cabo Sardao lighthouse to Almograve. Best to book a few days or a week in advance, especially in high season wear jeans, sunscreen, strong shoes. Horseriding is really best in spring and fall - when it’s hot in summer, it’s hot!
Moita Nova Equestre
moitanovaeq@gmail.com / Anna +351 967 218 594 / €40 person for an hour-long ride (cash only)
Secret swimming hole
Pego Das Pias is a secret freshwater swimming hole, about 20 minutes away from Cocoon. It’s the perfect place to take your whole group for an afternoon picnic.
Here is the Google Map for how to get to Pego Das Pias. Please note there are two entrances to Pego Das Pias. If you just search “Pego Das Pias” on Google Maps, it will direct you to the second entrance, which is bumpy and not nice to drive on. We recommend you take the first road, which is the exact point on the map link that we provided, above. At that point on the map, you’ll turn right onto the dirt road. Stay left on the dirt road following the river until you reach a gate with a small makeshift parking area. From there it’s a lovely 12 minute walk to the swimming hole. You do not need to arrange this trip in advance of arriving in Portugal. You can simply tell our farm manager when you arrive, which day you want to go. We will pack your group a wonderful picnic lunch.
Wine tasting @ Cocoon
We can organize a wine tasting at Cocoon. This is subject to availability, please ask our farm manager when you arrive.
Our friend Joaquim will come to Cocoon to serve your guests Alentejo wines from Adega do Monte Branco. Typically he serves 3 tiers of white and red, a vinho verde, and rosé. This is a great addition to pizza night served right from our wood fired brick oven. Cocoon can pair with local Alentejo cheeses and olive oils for a small additional charge.
€15 / person
€20 / person w/ cheeses
pay the day before to our farm manager, cash only
Wine tasting @ winery
Take your car or Cocoon can arrange transport for your group to Vicentino Winery, about 20 minutes south of Cocoon. St. Vicentino are a staple producer of the coastal region of Alentejo and many of the local restaurants serve their wines.
(SUP) Stand Up Paddle
15 minute drive away, in Vila Nova de Milfontes. SWSUP offers SUP board, wetsuit, and paddle rentals as well as guided tours. Timing depends on the tides. The Mira River is gorgeous and one of the cleanest in all of Europe. They also offer 90 min SUP yoga classes with an experienced instructor several times per week. You can call them directly at +351 963 551 232
€15 / person for 1 hour, €25 / person for 2 hours
€20 / person for 90 min SUP yoga
Kayak or Catamaran Tour at Lagos
Drive an hour south to the Algarve’s most beautiful town, Lagos. Lagos is famous for it’s limestone cliffs, Ponta da Piedade. You can rent a catamaran for your group for the afternoon, or get more adventurous and do a kayaking tour around the caves of the Ponta Da Piedade. Discover Tours is a well known tour operator, and there are plenty more companies you can quickly search on google. Most groups do morning yoga, have breakfast, and then leave for Lagos at 11am. Spend the day in Lagos, have lunch on the boat, and come back to Cocoon in time for dinner. Typical costs below:
€35 / person for a 3 hour catamaran tour
(this is for a large 70 person catamaran with other people, not private) €35 / person for a 3 kayak tour
Southwest Charters has a private catamaran (max 16 guests) approx €1000 to rent their boat for the day
Hiking
The southwest coast of Portugal is famous for its stunning coastal hiking trails. The Rota Vicentina is divided into three major routes: the fisherman's trail, the historical way, and circular routes. The breathtaking day trips that we recommend are along the fisherman’s trail. According to Conde Nast Traveller, the fisherman's trail is one of the 6 most beautiful coastal trails in the world. The trail is a single track along bluffs, accessible only by foot. Some parts of this trail are just 10 minutes drive away from Cocoon. The official site for these hiking trails is Rota Vicentina.
Our two favorite trails are from Zambujeira do Mar to Carvalhal, and the trail from Cabo Sardao to Almograve. Both hikes are moderate, and take about 90 minutes one way.