Casa Marisa

We've stayed for three night in the Hotel. The bungalow was simple but clean. The staff was nice. We'd twice dinner in the restaurant. They had one menu, which was delicous. The most impressive was the landscape with the vulcano and the lava flows.

Something like I've never seen before, a hotel restaurant camp built down from the volcano that erupted 10 years ago. Round huts made with volcanic rock delightfully put together with rooftop terraces. Be careful as mine was on a lava bed that was still steaming 10 years later, very warm. Marisa is a great host and makes you feel at home. Good service, good food, great ambiance. A must to stay if you're passing through Fogo.

The effort and time it took to travel to the island was totally worth it! I stayed 2 nights at Casa Marisa which is about 1+ hour on the local bus from the central bus station but there's only 1 departure everyday at noon. At other times, you will have to pay Euro 60 for a taxi. I stayed in a room in the main building. Don't know if it was just my room but it was very hot and I had to sleep with all my windows and even the room door open all night although it was very safe with only fellow travellers and locals in the vicinity. There was no hot water but it was okay for me given how hot it was when I was there. The hosts Mustafa and Marisa were most helpful from the moment I booked to stay with them providing me with information on the types of treks available and pricing, and offering to pair me up with others in order to keep my costs reasonable (as I was travelling alone). It is clear that they take great pride in the place that they have built for their family and travellers. I was disappointed that I didn't make it to the top of the volcano but this just means that I'll have to visit again and without hesitation I'll be choosing to stay at Casa Marisa on my next visit.

We stayed for 3 nights in the traditional house with ou 2 daughters of 10&12. I climbed the Fogo volcano, kids and wife did the Pico. The walk is intense but it’s really impressive. Second our great Ilias did a tour round the island with us by car. Showing the nice spots of Fogo Island. The stay at Casa Marisa is great. Everybody is friendly and helpful, the food and cocktails are great.

Stayed for a couple of nights whilst on a walking holiday in CV, with friends. Was excited to be stayng here, in a caldera and right next to an active volcano. Not like anywhere else I've ever stayed. As the previous Marisa had been "washed" away by lava in the 2014 eruption the funcaos (funco/funko?)that we stayed in had all been built since then. Ours was basic in that it had two beds, a clothes rail, a window and an ensuite. It also had stairs round the outside on to the roof for a sunbathe. Beware sa leaving the roof though, there is a ridge just before the top step, ideal to trip over. There is a very low rail around the steps (below knee height so it wouldn't stop you falling over the edge) Some of the funcaos were warm, some less so. Ours had no heat whatsover. Neither did it have any hot water at all. But it did have water so we were one up on our neighbour. Although the sun was hot during the day as soon as it went down the temperature went right down to single figures and there was a frost overnight. So be prepared. Have to be honest the very cold shower after a seven hour walk up and down the vocano was bracing (I hope that it's true what they say about cold showers and your immune system). I suppose it's one way of ensuring that those of us who are from wet countries are not profligate with such a scarce resource. The ensuite was a bonus. It was plumbed, tiled and a very good size. Bit of an invisble step on the floor to flatten the unwary (blind from not wearing glasses in the shower). But, as said, no hot water (not even a brief trickle from sun-warmed pipes) and the en suite absolutley stank. I suspect that there was some blockage somewhere in the drain (insufficient water flow to wash away?) Even keeping the door tightly closed the stench hit you as you walked into the bedroom from outside. The dining room was large and warm so a good place to congregate. Drinks, soup, packed lunches, evening meals available. For me the best part by far was this hotel's location

Fantastic location inside a crater. Clean, unique places to stay. Wonderful views. Had a great lunch in this remote area. Would love to go stay for a week and hike the area. Well worth the effort to get there.