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Brazil🇧🇷 | townsCampos do JordãoMountain cool, araucaria forest, chairlift views, fondue | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Campos do Jordão
👌 Worth visitingtown ranked #19
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 19, 2026

Campos do Jordão is the highest town in Brazil, so you can trade São Paulo’s heat for pine forest and cool air in one morning. It sits in the Serra da Mantiqueira, in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. I expected a stiff, rich-people resort, yet found hiking trails and cheap bakeries beside the fondue. Skip the pricey shopping streets. Spend your time on the cable car, Horto Florestal and Pedra do Baú. Hostels are few and evenings are quiet. Book ahead on winter weekends.

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #19 town in BrazilThe unique appeal for travelers

Campos do Jordão works for backpackers who want mountain air and real trails without a long expedition. The Horto Florestal has forest walks, and the Pedra do Baú climb in nearby São Bento do Sapucaí gives a proper summit day. Most people stay two or three nights. Evenings are calm, with a few hostel common rooms and bakeries serving hot chocolate, so it suits hikers, couples and solo travelers who like early nights. Party seekers should look elsewhere. The Capivari district is walkable and handy for meals, though prices there run high.

💡 HighlightsTop highlights of Campos do Jordão

  1. Horto Florestal (Parque Estadual de Campos do Jordão): A state park of Atlantic forest and araucaria pines, with short trails, a waterfall and a trout pond. Come on a weekday morning for quiet. Entry runs about US$4 to 6 and 2 to 3 hours is plenty.
  2. Morro do Elefante: A hilltop viewpoint reached by chairlift or cable car, with views over the valley and the Serra da Mantiqueira. Go before noon, when haze is lighter. The ride costs roughly US$6 to 10 and the visit takes about 1 to 2 hours.
  3. Palácio Boa Vista: The governor’s winter residence, with a collection of art and furnishings. It opens to visitors only on certain days, so check ahead. Entry is about US$2 to 4 and a visit takes about 1 hour.
  4. Capivari Village: The Swiss-chalet-style center, good for fondue, hot chocolate and craft shops. It is
… read more 👉
  1. Horto Florestal (Parque Estadual de Campos do Jordão): A state park of Atlantic forest and araucaria pines, with short trails, a waterfall and a trout pond. Come on a weekday morning for quiet. Entry runs about US$4 to 6 and 2 to 3 hours is plenty.
  2. Morro do Elefante: A hilltop viewpoint reached by chairlift or cable car, with views over the valley and the Serra da Mantiqueira. Go before noon, when haze is lighter. The ride costs roughly US$6 to 10 and the visit takes about 1 to 2 hours.
  3. Palácio Boa Vista: The governor’s winter residence, with a collection of art and furnishings. It opens to visitors only on certain days, so check ahead. Entry is about US$2 to 4 and a visit takes about 1 hour.
  4. Capivari Village: The Swiss-chalet-style center, good for fondue, hot chocolate and craft shops. It is touristy and pricey, so pick one meal here rather than spending the whole day. Evenings are lively, and a stroll takes 1 to 2 hours.
  5. Amantikir Garden: Themed gardens on a hillside, including a labyrinth and a large lavender-scented area. Late morning light is best. Entry costs about US$8 to 12 and 1.5 to 2 hours is enough.
Day trips work well to Santo Antônio do Pinhal for mountain views, São Bento do Sapucaí for the Pedra do Baú climb, and Monteiro Lobato for its literary sites.
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Things to do around Campos do Jordão

City tour + Amantikir Park in Campos do Jordão

City tour + Amantikir Park in Campos do Jordão

4.9(86) 7h 30m
From €36
per personViator
City tour in Campos do Jordão

City tour in Campos do Jordão

0.0(0) 3h 40m
From €18.07
per personViator
Private Tour in Campos City of Jordan-SP

Private Tour in Campos City of Jordan-SP

0.0(0) 5h
From €90
per personViator
Private Transfer from Campos do Jordão to Sao Paulo (GRU) Airport

Private Transfer from Campos do Jordão to Sao Paulo (GRU) Airport

0.0(0) 2h 15m
From €293
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🏘️ NeighborhoodsNeighborhood guide to Campos do Jordão

Campos do Jordão splits into three areas, and one of them deserves most of your time.
  • Capivari: The tourist village with chalet-style shops, fondue restaurants and a pedestrian center. It is flat and walkable, and it is where the evening crowd gathers. Worth an evening for the atmosphere, but prices run high and the chocolate shops are mostly souvenir stops.
  • Abernéssia: The everyday town, down the hill from Capivari. Bakeries, bus stops and cheap lunch counters sit here, so you eat for far less. Plain, but the best value in town.
  • Vila Jaguaribe: Quieter, residential and hilly, with some pousadas and local bars. Skip it unless you want calm. Walking between the hills is tiring, so take a short ride.

⌛️ 1 dayWhat you can realistically do in a day

8:00 AM, Horto Florestal: Start here because the trails are quiet and the air is coolest. Walk the forest loop and waterfall path for about two hours, then take a taxi or local bus to town.
10:30 AM, Capivari Village: Wander the pedestrian lanes, sample hot chocolate and buy local pastries. It is touristy, so keep it short.
12:30 PM, Lunch: Look for a bakery or a self-service restaurant outside the main square for better value than the fondue places.
2:00 PM, Teleférico: Ride up for valley views and a gentle walk at the top.
4:00 PM, Amantikir Garden: Less visited than the center, it gives a calm finish among flowerbeds. Taxi back for dinner and an early night.

🌤️ When to go?Seasonal considerations and timing

June to August is peak season, with dry, sunny days of 15 to 20°C (59 to 68°F) and nights that can drop near 0°C (32°F). Prices jump and weekends sell out.
  • Winter (June to August): Crisp air and the Winter Festival in July, with the highest prices.
  • Summer (December to March): Mild at 17 to 25°C (63 to 77°F), with afternoon rain and fog, and cheaper beds.
  • Spring and autumn: Fewer crowds, good hiking weather.
Book weekdays in July to save noticeably on beds.

source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: good for travelingFEBFebruary: good for travelingMARMarch: good for travelingAPRApril: highly recommended for travelingMAYMay: excellent for travelingJUNJune: highly recommended for travelingJULJuly: good for travelingAUGAugust: highly recommended for travelingSEPSeptember: excellent for travelingOCTOctober: highly recommended for travelingNOVNovember: highly recommended for travelingDECDecember: good for traveling
when-to-go

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🛏️ Where to stay?How to pick the right area

Abernéssia is the best area for a budget bed, with the cheapest rooms and the bus terminal close by. Dorm beds are limited in town, so basic guesthouses at about US$20 to 40 a night are the norm, and they climb in July. The area is lively by day and quiet after dark, with well-lit main streets. Capivari is the alternative if you want to walk to restaurants and bars, though noise on weekends is real and prices run roughly 30 to 50 percent higher. Vila Jaguaribe is calm but needs a bus or ride to get anywhere.
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Best quality hotels in Brazil

🚌 Getting aroundTransportation options and practical tips

Taking a taxi from the Abernéssia bus terminal up to Capivari for every short hop drains your budget fast, because the town is long and strung along a valley. Most backpackers walk inside Capivari, then use local buses for the rest. Traffic jams badly on winter weekends, so timing matters.
  • Walking: Fine inside Capivari and Abernéssia, but the hills between areas are steep and tiring.
  • Local buses: The best value at roughly US$0.80 to 1 per ride, linking Abernéssia, Capivari and Vila Jaguaribe, running from early morning to about 10 pm. Slow on busy weekends.
  • Taxi and apps: Rides across town cost around US$3 to 8. Worth it at night or when it rains, not for every trip.
  • Bus from São Paulo: Intercity coaches take about 3 to 3.5 hours for US$12 to 20. Book ahead for winter weekends.
  • Bonde tram and cable
… read more 👉
Taking a taxi from the Abernéssia bus terminal up to Capivari for every short hop drains your budget fast, because the town is long and strung along a valley. Most backpackers walk inside Capivari, then use local buses for the rest. Traffic jams badly on winter weekends, so timing matters.
  • Walking: Fine inside Capivari and Abernéssia, but the hills between areas are steep and tiring.
  • Local buses: The best value at roughly US$0.80 to 1 per ride, linking Abernéssia, Capivari and Vila Jaguaribe, running from early morning to about 10 pm. Slow on busy weekends.
  • Taxi and apps: Rides across town cost around US$3 to 8. Worth it at night or when it rains, not for every trip.
  • Bus from São Paulo: Intercity coaches take about 3 to 3.5 hours for US$12 to 20. Book ahead for winter weekends.
  • Bonde tram and cable car: The Capivari cable car costs about US$4 to 6. Skip the tram unless it is on your route.

👛 Costs (as of 19 October 2026)Travel costs and budget guide for Campos do Jordão

A backpacker in Campos do Jordão spends about US$47 to 96 a day, and the table below uses high season, which is pricier than most of Brazil.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Dorm accommodationUS$20 to 35Few dorms; basic rooms or guesthouses, and July costs more
MealsUS$15 to 30Per-kilo lunches in Abernéssia are cheap; fondue in Capivari is not
Local transportUS$2 to 6Buses at about US$1 per ride, occasional taxi
Basic activities/entry feesUS$5 to 15Park entry and cable car
Miscellaneous expensesUS$5 to 10Snacks, water, a warm layer
Total Daily BudgetUS$47 to 96About US$75 to 100 with high-season beds
Eat your main meal at lunch at a per-kilo restaurant in Abernéssia to save the most.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🚌 Day tripsEasy escapes and nearby places

Campos do Jordão works well as a base for short outings, and most are within an hour or two.
Santo Antônio do Pinhal:
A small mountain town with waterfalls and cooler quiet, about 40 minutes away by bus for US$2 to 4. Go on weekdays. Many first-timers underestimate how few buses return late.

São Bento do Sapucaí:
A village known for the Pedra do Baú rock formation, about 1.5 hours away. Reach the base by bus and local taxi for roughly US$8 to 15 total. Hike in dry weather from May to September, because the rock gets slippery and trails turn muddy in rain.

Parque Estadual Campos do Jordão:
Trails, waterfalls and old araucaria forest on the town’s edge, reachable by local bus and a short taxi for about US$2 to 5, with entry around US$3 to 5. Arrive early, as afternoon fog is common in summer.

🛡️ SafetyStaying Safe: What Travelers Should Know

Campos do Jordão is a calm mountain town where petty theft is the main issue. Keep phones and wallets out of sight in crowded Capivari on winter weekends. At night, stick to lit streets in Capivari and Abernéssia, and use a ride app or taxi for the steep, dark roads of outlying areas. Solo travelers rarely have trouble. Watch for inflated restaurant prices and photo-pony or horse-ride sellers near the main squares, and agree prices first.
Check Country Safety

FAQFrequently asked questions about Campos do Jordão

Campos do Jordão is worth visiting for more than a stopover if you like cool mountain air, hiking and food. The Capivari village, Parque Estadual and the Pedra do Baú trip in nearby São Bento do Sapucaí fill several days. It is best in winter, from June to August, though prices climb then.
Campos do Jordão suits two to three days. One day covers Capivari and the cable car, another the state park, and a third can go to Pedra do Baú, about 1.5 hours away. Add a day if you want slow hiking or a weekday visit in July.
Campos do Jordão can be done as a long day trip from São Paulo, since coaches take about 3 to 3.5 hours each way for US$12 to 20. That leaves only a few hours on site, enough for Capivari and lunch. Staying one night is much better, particularly in winter when traffic on weekends is heavy.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Brazilian towns near Campos do Jordão

Explore more nearby:

  • Gonçalves—Church square, ridge roads, pasture views, bakery mornings| 28 km away
  • Ubatuba—Tamar turtles, Itamambuca surf, Atlantic forest coves, coastal buses| 94 km away
  • Paraty—Tidal cobblestones, colonial doors, bay boats, car-free center| 105 km away

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We 💚 feedbackKey takeaways before you go

Campos do Jordão suits hikers, couples and slow travelers who like crisp evenings more than nightlife. I would come midweek, pack a warm layer and aim for Pedra do Baú. Party seekers and tight budgets will find it limited.

✈️ When did I visit Brazil?
Call it good timing or luck, but I was able to celebrate Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro in February 2022, after a round trip in the north and east coast.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Brazil, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

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