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
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
Nature Guide, Sales Administrator and Skipper
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
António Rusga
Born in Lisbon in 1966, Sesimbra soon became my favourite destination for weekends and holidays.
Passionate about the sea, I started free diving and scuba diving from an early age.
Without ever having stopped diving, I did some Windsurfing and competed in Adventure Racing, which led me to a regular practice of Trail-Running, Mountain-Biking, Kayaking, Rock-Climbing, etc… in the Arrábida area, my backyard and preferred training spot.
After a long career in the frozen food sector, which led me to travel around the world, I ended up returning to Sesimbra, my shelter harbour and finally settling down.
In 2015 I decided to change my life and focus on doing what pleases me the most, in this region that I fell in love with from an early age and thus sharing my experience with those who visit.
António Rusga
Responsible for the Groups/Corporate department, Scuba Diving Instructor, Nature Guide and Skipper.
João da Luz "Cartola"
Nature Guide and Skipper
Spelunker/Speleologist since 1994
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.
José Saleiro
Commercial Administration, Marketing and Human Resources
Jorge Ribeiro
Logistical, Operational and Financial Administration
Paulo Duarte
Groups / Corporate Department
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
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.
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.
Contacts
Vertente Natural
Apartado 1077 Santana
2971 – 908 Sesimbra
Portugal
