There are a few colivings on the island of São Miguel, and after spending a month at Lava Coliving, we can confidently say it was exactly the right fit for us. While other colivings like Dwell and Novovento offer their own perks, Lava stood out for one core reason: spaciousness. Everything here feels open and breathable, and that made all the difference.
Sun-drenched exterior and breezy patio hammock at Lava Coliving
Unlike more compact or high-occupancy colivings, Lava is spread out. The rooms, the co-working space, the kitchen, even the outdoor seating areas—all feel intentionally designed for both community and retreat.
Upstairs coworking at Lava Coliving—airy, art-filled, and functional—with lush garden views just outside the door
If you're someone who wants to be social when the moment feels right but also have the room to decompress or dive deep into focus work, this space really nails the balance.
Built-in community
We arrived on the island without a car, which we don’t necessarily recommend—but even so, we ended up exploring far more of the island than we expected. And that was thanks to the Lava community. We met fellow colivers who invited us on hikes, to hot springs, to waterfalls. It was organic, easy, and generous.
There’s a constant ebb and flow of people here—new arrivals, long-stayers, quick stops—but somehow it works.
In just a few weeks, we shared meals, made art together, watched films on a projector, hosted potlucks, and had late-night talks under the stars.
Arts night at Lava: shared paints, music, and everyone’s creative style on display
It never felt forced. The rhythm of the space fosters this kind of natural, low-pressure togetherness.
Live music and a sunset at Santa Barbara Beach Club
On Friday nights, many of the colivers would go hang out together at the local beach bar.
Peaceful mornings and big skies
Mornings at Lava were a quiet kind of magic. We’d make breakfast and tea in the huge, fully equipped kitchen (truly one of the best-equipped we've used at a coliving), then take it out to the balcony with ocean views.
Balcony views from Lava Coliving, perfect for morning coffee or sunset chats
The sky changes all day here. The weather, the light, the breeze—everything is alive and shifting. You feel it even in stillness.
The coworking space upstairs is more than enough to get some focus work done. There’s a big central table, several individual desks, a comfy couch for laptop sprawls, and strong wifi throughout the property.
There's also a call room if you want a place to take calls from that isn't your room.
Quiet corners at Lava Coliving—perfect for focused work or slow, grounding mornings
Whether we wanted to knock out a full day of work or just answer a few emails between hikes, it worked seamlessly.
A homey rhythm
The flow of life at Lava is soft, intentional, and surprisingly grounding. We cooked often, using fresh ingredients from the nearby Mercado Agrícola de Santana (the island’s best farmers market, just a short drive away).
The kitchen made this a pleasure, and the large shared table made group meals easy.
Homemade communal meals cooked and shared in Lava’s kitchen with other colivers
We hosted casual dinner nights, did family-style bowls, or shared whatever we had on hand. There’s something quietly special about cooking alongside others without pressure—just music on in the background, someone chopping veggies, someone else pouring a juice.
More than a coliving: community and care
Lava is run by Mareike, who is as lovely and welcoming as everyone says. Her partner Miguel is an acupuncturist trained in Japanese acupuncture, and his clinic is on-site, which felt like an unexpected bonus. And yes—the house cat, Finn, is a calm and curious presence who somehow always shows up exactly when needed.
What stood out to us across our time at Lava was the sense of care: care for the space, care for cleanliness, and care for the people passing through. Everything was well-organized.
Sheets and towels were changed weekly for longer stays. Shared spaces were always clean.
Not walkable, but that’s part of the charm
Lava is located in a quiet residential area between Rabo de Peixe and Ribeira Grande. It’s not in a walkable neighborhood full of cafes and restaurants—but that’s actually part of what makes it special. Without those distractions, people tend to stay in, cook together, or organize group trips. Or do yoga in the expansive backyard.
It’s also a great base for exploring. You're equidistant from many parts of the island, including beaches, hot springs, waterfalls, and crater lakes.
Even without your own vehicle, there's a high chance someone at Lava has a car and will gladly let you hop in.
If you’re choosing a coliving in São Miguel...
We recommend Lava wholeheartedly. If you’re looking for something with more privacy, space, warmth, and a natural balance between social and solo, it’s hard to beat.
It was the kind of place we could focus, rest, and connect in equal measure.
Lush garden blooms in Lava’s backyard
And it quickly became more than a base: it became a soft little home.
Interested in going? Book your stay.
