Next to Vila Capivari square, the Iceland It's an all-ice attraction, open all year round. With negative temperatures, the space has a large igloo, a slide, a bar, some ice sculptures and some giant dolls, like the version of the Abominable Snowman.
You can only stay inside for 20 minutes. They lend you a coat and gloves, but it's not a bad idea to wear boots, a hat and a scarf. Tickets for Iceland Aventura no Gelo cost R$98 for adults, which entitles them to two shots of drinks, and R$56 for children.
21. Enjoy chocolates from Campos do Jordão
Cold climate and mountain city combine very well with chocolates, and Campos do Jordão is no exception. There are many chocolate shops around the city where you can find bars, chocolates and truffles of various flavors, as well as having wonderful hot chocolate on colder days.
One of the most renowned chocolates is Montanhês, which has a Swiss architecture store in Vila Capivari. If you are looking for something cheaper, Spinassi has its chocolate factory in Campos do Jordão, where you can see the activity through an underground glass. But to see the manufacturing and learn more about production, the Araucaria is the best option. In addition to seeing the employees making the chocolate, through windows inside the store, there is a small museum upstairs that tells the story of chocolate and explains how it is made.
A Cocoa Show It also has one of its factories in Campos, next to which it has a two-story store with a giant model of Campos do Jordão 80% made in chocolate and an outlet space, with good discounts. Other options are Chocolate Flavor, Bruno Alves, Bourbon, Liege It is Campos Cocoawhich has a hot chocolate with torched marshmallows that is a hit.
Chocolate model at Cacau Show. Photo: Jéssica Weber/Best Destinations
22. Feed the animals at Fazendinha Toriba
Photo: Jéssica Weber/ Best Destinations
Another famous attraction among families with children is the Toriba Farm, a property with lots of green area that offers contact with various animals. The property also has an organic vegetable garden, a lake, picnic space, hammock and playground. For families who want to have a little contact with nature and be able to see animals up close, it's an incredible tour! Entrance costs between R$35 and R$80.
23. Take a photo at the Aventoriba glass viewpoint
Near Fazendinha, there is the sales counter for Aventoriba, a tourism company that promotes hiking, cycling and even horseback riding. Next door, there is a gazebo made of glass, including floor and parapets, with a beautiful view of Serra da Mantiqueira. We pay a symbolic amount to access the platform. It's worth a stop!
Photo: Jéssica Weber/Best Destinations
24. Relax at Lagoinha Park
O Lagoinha Park It's simple, but pleasant, and a good choice for those who want contact with nature and the city's forests. It has a large green area, gardens, well-signposted trails, a lake with ducks and some animals, such as sheep. Speaking of which, there is also the Mãostiqueiras store, which trains people in the community to create artisanal products made from 100% natural wool.
For those who want to take a peaceful and free trip (you only pay for parking), it is an excellent place to include in your schedule!
25. Enjoy the late afternoon at Prana Pôr do Sol
If you want to enjoy the evening in a special spot, our suggestion is the Prana Pôr do Sol, a place with a beautiful view of the mountains in the region. The restaurant has a space to have a hot chocolate while admiring the landscape, decks, swings that make for beautiful photos. Entry is charged.
Next door, there is also Prana Park, with a swing with a view to renewing your Instagram feed and attractions such as horse riding, zip lining and aerial biking, which is a bicycle attached to steel cables, which the participant must pedal to reach from one side to the other. The park also charges admission.
Photo: Disclosure
26. Discover the production of a brewery
A Baden BadenThe Campos do Jordão Beer (in Parque da Cerveja) and the microbrewery Malt Faces These are options for those who not only want to try different labels, but also get to know the drink production process more closely, with the possibility of a tasting at the end. The spaces also have a store and snack bar or restaurant with a variety of dishes.
Photo: Jéssica Weber/Best Destinations
27. Listen to Gregorian chant at the Monastery of Saint John
Located in a forest very close to the center and on the way to the Boa Vista Palace, the Monastery of São Benedito de São João It is a charming place that is worth a visit, whether to enjoy the beautiful gardens or for a moment of rest or meditation by the small lake or the cave. Every day, at 5:45 pm, you can see the nuns praying, with Gregorian chant. The softness of the nuns' singing, which lasts 40 minutes, is moving. Entry is free.
28. Visit Santa Claus' House on the Mountain
At Santa's House on the Mountain, Christmas lasts all year round! It has a comfortable living room with a large fireplace – because Santa Claus hates narrow fireplaces –, Mrs. Claus's kitchen, a bathroom where you can see the intimacy of an elf, the office and the couple's bedroom. In November and December, there are some days when Noel welcomes visitors in person. Entrance is free throughout the year, there is only an entrance fee from August to December (from R$10 to R$25).
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Photos: Jéssica Weber/Best Destinations
29 – Take a quad bike ride through Campos do Jordão
A different and exciting way to get to know Campos is to take a quad bike tour. Adventurers follow trails until reaching Pico do Imbiri, where they find incredible panoramic views of the region's nature.
Normally, these tours leave from the side of Morro do Elefante, cross Avenida Presidente Castelo Branco and pass through green landscapes and viewpoints on roads only accessible by 4×4 vehicles. At Pico do Imbiri, you will see the Serra da Mantiqueira on one side and, on the other side, in the distance, the Chest Stone, a rock 1,905 meters high. See the prices and book the tour in this link.
30. Stroll at Romantik Dalen
The attraction has been attracting many couples who like to take photographs of their trip. O Romantik Dalen is a park in the city center, with free entry, which has a bridge decorated with umbrellas.
The bridge was inspired by the Pont des Arts in Paris, and today it has padlocks to seal the couples' love. The place also has a chapel, inspired by those in Las Vegas, where vows are renewed. At the end of the walkway, you will find a covered space with several clothing and souvenir shops.
Photo: Jéssica Weber/Best Destinations
31. Visit Vila Abernessia
The name Abernessia was born as a tribute to two Scottish cities: Aberdeen and Inverness. The idea came from the founder of the neighborhood, Scotsman Robert John Reid. The main commercial district of Campos do Jordão, it has large stores and supermarkets in the city. Want to save on shopping or restaurants? This is the place! Abernéssia is the headquarters of the more “common” Campos do Jordão, with its square, municipal market and main church, like any small town in the interior of São Paulo.
32. Have lunch at the foot of Pedra do Baú
If you have time to stop by the nearby town of São Bento do Sapucaí, you need to have lunch at the foot of Pedra do Baú. O Pedra do Baú Restaurant It has an outdoor deck with views of the attraction on one side and the Serra da Mantiqueira on the other. The food is very good: when I went, there was pork rinds, dried meat escondidinho and everything else that is good about Minas Gerais food, served on a wood-burning stove.
Although it's not that far from Campos — around 30 kilometers —, it takes an hour to travel, with very steep climbs and descents and curves so winding that we had the impression we would see the back of our own car through the side mirror. But the route is beautiful.
Map of attractions in Campos do Jordão
Restaurants in Campos do Jordão
The gastronomic scene in Campos do Jordão is very varied, with options for all tastes. Generally, food in the city is not very economical, but there are some options for those who don't want to spend so much. Fondue restaurants have a strong presence in the city and it is worth setting aside a night to try it, as are the Swiss potatoes, served in several places.
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Restaurant Tips in Campos do Jordão
The brewery Baden Baden (Rua Djalma Forjaz, 93) is one of the city's gastronomic attractions, with good drinks and a varied menu. Restaurants are also a good idea. Rostie (Av. José Manoel Gonçalves, 160)with a varied menu and traditional Swiss potatoes, and Brotherhood of Flavor (Av. Dr. Vítor Godinho, 191)with beautiful dishes.
For a snack, nothing more traditional than Maluf Pastelão (Av. Macedo Soares, 134) and if you want fancy meats, the tip is Libertango (Av. José Manoel Gonçalves, 160). The refined Ludwig (Rua Aristides de Souza Mello, 50) is a good choice for a fondue on a special date and the Right Kilo (R. Eng. Diogo José de Carvalho, 47) for those looking for a self-service option with an economical profile.
Those who want to have a meal with a breathtaking view can eat a hamburger or sandwich at Toriba Station (Av. Ernesto Diederichsen, 2962) or some delicious dish in Bella Vista (Alameda Pérolas, 182A)in Morro do Elefante.
Transport in Campos do Jordão
We have already mentioned that having a car available can be the most comfortable way to visit the city's attractions, especially those that are far from the Center.
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However, it is good to keep in mind that traffic can get complicated in Campos do Jordão during high season. Weigh the pros and cons of staying in the city with a car and calculate that in addition to the difficulty of parking during high season, you may still need to pay for parking.
If you don't have a car, a tip is to stay in the center so you can do activities on foot and for more distant trips, use an Uber or taxi, arranging a return time with the driver.
Extra tip: As attractions in Campos can be far from each other, create an itinerary divided by areas. This way you can visit nearby attractions in the same day and waste less time commuting!
Campos do Jordão is located in the interior of the state of São Paulo, more precisely in Serra da Mantiqueira. It is approximately 180 km by car from São Paulo (capital), 83 km from São José dos Campos and 330 km from Rio de Janeiro.
The closest airports are São José dos Campos (80 km away), which recently resumed passenger flights, and Guarulhos (150 km away), which is how we arrived at our destination. In last cases, you can also use Congonhas Airport, but from there you need to cross the city of São Paulo as well.
Two or 3 days are enough to get to know the basics of Campos do Jordão, so anyone traveling to the city on a weekend will be able to do many of the activities on offer. For those who like to escape the traditional itinerary or want to travel more slowly, 5 days is a great period. Campos is a place that you can return to several times and that always has a special charm!
In one day, you will only have a taste of Campos, right!? I suggest not even leaving Capivari: eating at a restaurant in the center, shopping in the knitwear and chocolate stores, visiting Capivari Park, taking the cable car, maybe going to the train station to catch Maria Fumaça or the cable car. At night, fondue will be a good option, especially in the cold.
And you, have you ever been to Campos do Jordão? Do you have other tips for the city? Share your tips with us in the comments! Check out the holidays 2024 and start organizing yourself so you don't miss the chance to travel!
