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Voykit pocket guide · Brazil
Aparecida
Spend a half‑day to see the Basilica and nearby pilgrimage sites; add a night if you want a relaxed pace or to attend a mass.
Aparecida is Brazil's main Catholic pilgrimage hub, dominated by the Basilica of Our Lady of Aparecida. The site can be toured in 4–5 hours, but a night lets you attend evening liturgies and explore the market without rush.
- Country
- Brazil
- Best months
- May–Oct (dry, comfortable temperatures)
- Avoid
- Dec–Mar (cool, occasional rain)
- Stay
- 1 night
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- BRL
- Money
- Currency is the Brazilian real (BRL, R$). About R$5–5.8 per US dollar in 2026 — check. Cards and tap-to-pay are accepted almost everywhere, even at beach kiosks.
- Daily spend
- Budget R$120–180 excl. bed · Mid R$180–300 excl. bed · High R$300+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Vivo, Claro and TIM cover the country; buying a prepaid SIM needs a passport and sometimes a CPF — an eSIM before you fly is easier.
- Emergency
- Police 190 · Ambulance 192
- Plugs
- Types N, C · 127 V (Rio, São Paulo) or 220 V (Brasília, much of the Northeast) · Check the voltage on the socket; most chargers are dual-voltage.
- Tipping
- Restaurant: 10% service (serviço) usually on the bill; optional but normal.; Beach kiosk / bar: Often included; round up.; Taxi / Uber: Not expected; round up.; Guide: US$5–15 per person per day.; Hotel staff: Small tip for porters.
- Water
- Do not drink tap water; filtered water is provided in most homes and hotels.
- Toilets
- Put toilet paper in the bin, not the toilet, in most places.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee at a café | R$5–8 |
| Sandwich at market stall | R$10–15 |
| Bottle of water (500 ml) | R$3–5 |
| Taxi (first 2 km (1.2 mi))Taxi (first 1.2 mi (2 km)) | R$15–20 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- SJK · São José dos Campos Airport
- ≈1 h by car; intercity buses run every 30 min
Typical fares
- São Paulo → Aparecida bus
- R$37.30, about 2 h 20 min (check)
- Taxi airport → Basilica
- ≈R$80, 30 min
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Walk between the Basilica, market and Passarela da Fé (all within 1 km (0.6 mi)). Taxis or rideshare for trips to São José dos Campos or nearby towns.Walk between the Basilica, market and Passarela da Fé (all within 0.6 mi (1 km)). Taxis or rideshare for trips to São José dos Campos or nearby towns.
See and do
Known for
- Basilica of Our Lady of Aparecida (Basílica Nova)
- Basílica Velha
- Passarela da Fé bridge
- Feira da Avenida Monumental market
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| São José dos Campos | Car or bus 1 h via BR‑116 | ≈1 h |
| Resende | Car north 45 km (28 mi) on BR‑116Car north 28 mi (45 km) on BR‑116 | ≈45 min |
Sleep
- Hotel Santo Graal
- Opposite the Basilica; pool, gym, restaurant
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Com licençakohm lee-sah |
| Thank you | Obrigadoob-ree-gah-doo |
| How much is this? | Quanto custa?kwahn-too koos-tah |
| Where is the bathroom? | Onde fica o banheiro?ohn-jee fee-kah oo bahn-yay-roh |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake, hug or cheek kiss (one in São Paulo, two in Rio); avoid: Being stiff with new acquaintances
- Gestures: Use thumbs-up freely; avoid: The OK hand sign (it is rude)
- Language: Try Portuguese; say obrigado/obrigada; avoid: Defaulting to Spanish
- Time: Expect relaxed social punctuality; avoid: Being late for tours and flights
- Beach: Bring only a towel, cash and a copy of your ID; avoid: Leaving things unattended
Scams and watch-outs
- Peak pilgrimage days (e.g., October 12) bring crowds; allow extra time.
- Bus schedules from São Paulo and Rio can change; verify before travel (check).
Generally safe for pilgrims; stay aware of pickpockets in crowded market areas.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Aparecida yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Basilica of Our Lady of Aparecida (Basílica Nova)
- Basílica Velha
- Passarela da Fé bridge
- Feira da Avenida Monumental market
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Aparecida, revision 5332321 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5332321
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/aparecida). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.