About us
Vertente Natural is a Nature and Adventure Tourism company that has safety, quality and innovation as fundamental pillars.
About Us
Vertente Natural is a Nature & Outdoor Tourism company whose main orientation is Nature Tourism, whether directed to the individual or the company.
Vertente Natural was born in 2004 and since then we have created relationships with hundreds of people and companies. We know each customer well and always privilege personalized contact with each one, because for us each customer is unique.
RNAAT 41/2004 license
Member of the Apecate – Portuguese Association of Companies for Congresses, Tourist Activities and Events
Mission and Vision
Authentic experiences in the Arrábida Natural Park.
Founded in 2004, Vertente Natural’s mission is to provide authentic experiences in nature for travelers, families, groups and companies seeking extreme adventure, fun, simple stunning tours or moments of discovery and learning.
We are a team united in the passion for the Arrábida and dedicated to promote and preserve its cultural and natural wealth.
Our vision is to contribute to the preservation and dissemination of the natural wealth and cultural heritage of the Arrábida, enriching the lives of people with significant experiences in Nature.
Our Team
José Saleiro
Born the 6th August 1974 in Lisbon, I started my professional life as a systems analyst. Later I graduated as a Nautical Tourism Technician and today I am a partner and manager of Vertente Natural, which I founded in 2004.
Along the way I had an active participation in various associations and in tourism development projects in the region, as well as in the survey of the archaeological maps of Sesimbra and Setúbal and in various discoveries and explorations of new caves in the Arrábida.
Currently I am exclusively dedicated to Tourism Animation, focused on solving problems related to the development of Nature Tourism Operators, Maritime-Tourism Operators and Nautical Tourism destinations, Nautical Stations and Nature Tourism.
Founding member of the TuriForo group (informal group that
aggregates more than 40 companies and institutions related to Sesimbra Tourism, led and participated in several projects such as the construction of PET- Strategic Tourism Plan of Sesimbra, the representation of Tourism in the group MARGov (Development of a Collaborative Governance Model for Areas Protected Marines) surveys of the archaeological maps of Sesimbra and Setúbal. Speleologist by the Portuguese Speleology Federation, with more than 20 years of experience, took part in several explorations and discoveries of new caves in Arrábida.
Currently he is exclusively dedicated to Tourist Animation, focused on solving problems related to the development of Nature Tourism Operators, Operators Maritime Tourism and Nautical Tourism destinations / Nautical Stations and Nature Tourism, having held the position of vice president of the management of the APECATE – Portuguese Association of Tourism Entertainment Companies Congresses and Events, between 2016 and 2018.
João da Luz "Cartola"
Operational Director
Sandra Pais
Born in Lisbon in February 1974, I came to Setúbal when I was 9 months old and moved to Azeitão when I was 12, this being the region I consider my home.
With a degree in Tourist Organisation, I worked as a guide for some time, until I started working in a travel agency from 1998 to 2022.
All my life I’ve enjoyed our beautiful coastline and the fantastic Serra da Arrábida, and I’ve embraced this new project to help make known the best that our region has to offer.
It is a privilege for me to live and work in this area.
Sandra Pais
Cristiana Rocha
Born in Paredes, Porto in 1980.
I first moved to Setúbal in 1999 and was immediately in love with the grandiosity and magnificence of the Arrábida Mountains.
I found in this place the perfect combination between my passion for nature and my academic training as an Outdoor Tourism Technician.
I want to be able to explore and share paths that connect places and people to nature, always in perfect harmony.
Cristiana Rocha
Operational Sub-director – Corporate Bookings, Nature Guide
Francisco Paixão
I was born in Almada in April 1992 but I have always lived in Lisbon.
I have always loved doing sports or outdoor activities, I was a member of some such as Tennis and Rugby, but my passion is Bodyboarding!
I have a degree in Leisure Management and Tourist Entertainment and, after finishing the course, I discovered something here at Vertente Natural that has attracted me since I was little, which is constant contact with nature.
I learned and continue to learn a lot from my work colleagues, who make me want to know more about the environment in which we operate.
Despite being from Lisbon, whenever I could I spent weekends and holidays along the Portuguese coast from Cabo São Vincente to Nazaré!
I like meeting people from all over the world and learning a little about them and their countries of origin and getting to know this region of Portugal, Arrábida.
I like adrenaline and seeing people overcome barriers, but always safely!
Please don’t call me “sir” or I’ll grow more gray hair!
Francisco Paixão
Operational Sub-director – Individual Bookings, Nature Guide
Luís Fialho
50 years old, with 32 dedicated to commerce and business partnerships.
I’ve always been passionate about nature and believe that if we respect it, we can learn, have fun and live in harmony with it.
I enjoy turning challenges into opportunities and creating authentic connections, both in the business world and outdoors. Whether it’s a good conversation or a hike in the mountains, I’m always looking for new ways to grow and share experiences.
After all, life is made up of connections – with people and with the world around us! 🌿😊
Luís Fialho
Commercial Sub-Director
Mariana Caldeira
Born in Almada on May 8, 1999, at the age of 6 I moved to Sesimbra, where I had family, and since then I have been in love with this village that has so much to explore.
The connection with nature has always been present in my life since I was a little girl and coming to live in Sesimbra awakened this taste even more.
I have a degree in International Relations and Political Science, but my passion for nature has opened up new job opportunities for me, such as working for this company, where I aim to share knowledge about our coast and the great Serra da Arrábida and its unique experiences.
I combine this work with my other great passion, horses, in the Dressage modality that I have been practicing for some years. This modality allowed me to train with great professionals, as well as compete at a national level.
Mariana Caldeira
Commercial Department
Eduardo Steinmetz
Brazilian, from Rio Grande do Sul, born in 1981, I came to Portugal in 2022 to study tourism management at the Instituto politécnico de Setúbal, the first region I had contact with in the Lusitanian lands and which enchanted me right away.
As I have always had an interest in nature and outdoor activities, I decided to take a Nature Tourism course at the Escola de Hotelaria de Setúbal, deciding to combine my love of nature with professional development and therefore extending my stay in Portugal.
Eduardo Steinmetz
Patricia Guedes
Born in the Azores, I came to the mainland in 1995 to start a career in tourism.
Passionate about the marvellous nature of our country, I decided to come and live in Sesimbra.
The surroundings of the place where I live have allowed me to have close contact with the richness of the Serra da Arrábida.
After many years working in Lisbon, I finally managed to find the perfect combination between my fascination with nature and my place of residence.
At Vertente Natural I found the ideal place to work and be happy!
Patricia Guedes
Letícia Pereira
Born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In 2023 I moved to Portugal and consider it my new home. Since I was a child, the sea has been part of my routine and there is nothing better than being able to work with this passion, I consider it a great privilege. Being in nature is what makes me happy.
Mariana Caldeira
Nascida em Almada 08 de Maio de 1999, com 6 anos mudei-me para Sesimbra, onde tinha família, e desde então que me sinto apaixonada por esta vila que tanto tem para explorar.
A ligação com a natureza sempre esteve presente na minha vida desde pequena e ter vindo morar para Sesimbra despertou ainda mais esse gosto.
Sou Licenciada em Relações Internacionais e Ciência Política, mas a paixão pela natureza abriu-me novas oportunidades de trabalho, tal como trabalhar para esta empresa, onde tenho como objetivo dar a conhecer cada vez mais a nossa costa e a grande Serra da Arrábida, que podem trazer-nos experiências únicas.
Combino este trabalho com a minha outra grande paixão, os cavalos, na modalidade do Dressage que pratico há alguns anos. Esta modalidade permitiu-me treinar com grandes profissionais, bem como competir a nível nacional.
Mariana Caldeira
Departamento Comercial
Safety
At Vertente Natural your safety is guaranteed by our procedures, experience and equipment.
At Vertente Natural safety is crucial, so all activities are supervised by guides with extensive experience and technical knowledge to ensure that all measures and procedures are followed in order to guarantee the well-being of the participants and the team accompanying them.
In all activities, personal safety and protection equipment will be provided, such as helmets, life jackets, support boat, first aid kits, intercom radios, signal rockets.
All vertical equipment complies with the safety standards of the UIAA – International Union of Alpine Activities.
All activities are covered by Personal Accident and Liability insurance policies.
Certifications
We always aim for the best for Nature and for our customers.
Quality Certificate
This Quality Seal was created by APECATE, in partnership with SGS, an independent entity responsible for auditing and certification, recognized wordwide in the area of quality certification. The process to obtain this APECATE quality seal involved the audit of 5 key areas:
– Duties of customer information;
– Evaluation of provided services;
– Environmental performance;
– Safety;
– Human Resources;
… all of which were positively evaluated and rated!
The Quality Seal helps us improve our processes and the quality of service we provide. A commitment that is the foundation of our structure, as well as the focus on the customer and the strong commitment to safety, which we have always made. Driven by the valorization of the natural and cultural heritage, and by the demands of our customers, we continue on our path to Excellence …
Certification - Clean & Safe
This Clean&Safe seal certifies that we have commited to comply with all health safety recommendations issued by the National Tourism Authority as per National Health Authority (D.G.S.) guidelines.
Member of the natural.pt network
The “natural.pt Living Heritage” brand aims at an integrated promotion of the territory, the products and the services existing in the National Network of Protected Areas and its immediate surroundings and that with them share values and principles of sustainability and to provide value to nature and endogenous resources.
NCC Member
The National Coasteering Charter is an organization that promotes safe Coasteering, ensuring that its members follow the best practices for this activity.
PME Líder Status
Distinction granted by Turismo de Portugal, I. P., in partnership with IAPMEI, commercial banks and Grupo Banco Português de Fomento, to highlight SMEs with superior performance and publicly recognize the success of the business strategy and the importance of its contribution to the national economy.
SDI - Training and Dive Center
SDI (Scuba Diving International) is the recreational diving agency we are affiliated with.
Member - Wildsea Europe
Wildsea.eu is a network of ecotourism operators and destinations that work together to offer the best marine and outdoor ecotourism activities in Europe.
Our Guarantee
If you are not satisfied with an activity you have experienced, we offer another.
Our absolute confidence in our products and in the work of our team allows us to ensure the total satisfaction of our customers: if you are not completely satisfied after one activity, we offer another.
If you are not satisfied with any of our activities, please report the situation to info@vertentenatural.com – after receiving and analyzing it, you will receive a voucher valid for one month, personal and non-transferable, which will allow you to repeat the activity.
