The other side of Sao Paulo

30 Dec, 2013

READ IN ENGLISH BELOW | LEIA EM PORTUGUÊS AQUI

By Josie Cruz

Some say that São Paulo is a concrete jungle because of its numerous skyscrapers, chaotic traffic and its huge population. Only few realise that Sao Paulo is actually slightly larger than England in extension, and its capital, also named Sao Paulo, is among the richest in the world. There is much to explore in the capital in terms of business, culture and entertainment. However, the state has much to offer for those wishing to escape the hustle of the big city. Whether by air, water or land, there are leisure and adventure options for every taste.

São Paulo countryside is a hidden treasure to most of tourists. There are several cities (645 in total) featuring different interests, such as food, history, culture, health, extreme sports, to cite a few. Some of these cities are not far from the capital. Enjoy and discover some of them here and prepare well your itinerary when the visiting the dearest metropolis of Brazil:

  Paranapiacaba: Located in the greater Sao Paulo, 52 km away from the capital is the village planned and established by the British in the mid-19th century. Its main function was to house the workers of Sao Paulo Railway and manage the rail operations that drained all the coffee production to the port of Santos. The village is well preserved and the residents helped to keep its original Victorian style. The main attraction is still the rail complex, but there are also museums to highlight its glorious past. The village is situated in a preserved area of ​​the Atlantic Forest, which provides perfect conditions for ecotourism too. Paranapiacaba is an open-air museum and one of the last on site examples of English railway technology of the 19th century.

PETAR The Upper Ribeira State Park: Still within the preserved areas of the Atlantic Forest, but 320km south from the capital, PETAR stands as one of the best options for adventure sports, especially for caves and waterfall lovers. The area is divided into four regions and the visits must be booked in advance. It is required the presence of accredited local guides during the visitor stay at the park due to the difficult access and also to ensure its preservation. It is also possible to see archaeological sites and learn more about the original inhabitants culture with the several remaining communities around the region. The most sought sports at PETAR are: rappel on cliffs, waterfalls and into the caves, acqua ride, diving and hiking adventure.

Campos Do Jordão: Amid the Mantiqueira Mountains, 173km northwest from the capital, this town was designed in alpine style because of the strong influence of European immigrants after World War II. Campos do Jordao is a must-see destination if you are visiting Sao Paulo during the winter months. It has a strong tourism infrastructure and many recreational, shopping and relaxation options. The town is one of the most visited in the state and receives more than one million people in the high season. The International Winter Festival, between June and July, offers classical music and many other cultural attractions. The chocolate fondue remains best options to enjoy the cool mountain climate in this winter destination of tropical Brazil.

Itu: Situated 101km northwest from the capital, Itu is a very beautiful and peculiar town. It is famous for its giant objects like the public telephone and the traffic light at the central square. The town became known after a prank in a TV programme of the fifties. Moreover, Itu offers much more than that and is a perfect destination for families with children. There are many theme parks, educational programmes and rural experiences for small ones, whilst adults have the opportunity to learn more about the Sao Paulo coffee culture. The town played an important role on the coffee production between the 18th and 19th centuries and many farms of that period were converted to meet the new demand of tourists. Itu is one of the eleven cities that are part of the Historical Farms Trail (Roteiro das Fazendas Históricas), comprised of properties that are scattered throughout the state.

Brotas: Heading northwest, 257km from the capital, it is the Sao Paulo’s capital of extreme sports. Anyone visiting Brotas understand the real meaning of the word ‘adrenaline’. Ecotourism is conducted in a sustainable manner, taking into consideration the environment and the local community. In fact, it was the first city in the country to take the matter seriously; this contributed towards the pioneering laws created for ecotourism in the Brazil. Among the most popular sports are adventurous rafting, canoeing, cross buoy, rappelling in cliffs and waterfalls, trekking, tree climbing, cycling, horseback riding and the famous ziplines; one of them reaching one kilometre and half in extension and 120 meters in height.

Boituva is the city for those who prefer to practice sports in the skies. It is situated 121km west from the capital and it offers excellent hotels and tourist infrastructure to cater for their visitors. The high demand for air sports is given due to the perfect climate and geographical conditions, especially because of the high rate of oxygen in the air. Today, Boituva is considered the capital of civil parachuting, and you can schedule your jump on the many skydiving schools throughout the city. Practitioners of ballooning also frequent the sky in this beautiful part of Sao Paulo, many seek this leisurely ride to admire the natural beauty of the region and have an experience that will be marked forever in their memories.

by Moraes E, 2009 Big Way CTR Boituva