Portugal never fails to welcome a long line of visitors with the pretty island of Santa Maria proving extremely popular. It is part of the Azores archipelago and car hire at Santa Maria Airport is available online prior to your arrival if you want to ensure you get the car you really want.

There are three runways at the small yet busy airport and it actually boasts the longest runway in the whole of the archipelago. The beaches are the primary draw to the island and there are plenty to choose from; many of which are lined at the back with various bars, restaurants and hotels.

Cheap car hire at Santa Maria Airport is ideal for getting from the airport when you land out to your hotel without worrying about public transport or hotel pickups. It also allows you to travel around the many beaches on the island at your own will and swimming, snorkelling and sunbathing are always high on the agenda.

There are many daily flights during the summer flying in from Lisbon and Ponta Delgada. Flights are dramatically reduced out of the peak season and much of the island shuts down during the winter as visitor numbers are at their highest from May through to September.

Hotels and resorts are mainly found at the back of the beaches but there are cheaper options to enjoy further inland. With car rental at Santa Maria Airport you are able to pay less for what is still a nice hotel and make your own way to the coast.