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Voykit pocket guide · Brazil
Arujá
Skip unless you are visiting the Expo Aflord flower exposition (August–September) or need a quiet stop on the BR-116 between São Paulo and São José dos Campos. Half a day is enough.
Arujá is a small city in Grande São Paulo, best known for the Expo Aflord flower exposition organised by the local Japanese community. Outside that event, it offers little for a traveller. Use it as a quick stop on the BR-116 or skip it entirely.
- Country
- Brazil
- Best months
- August–September (for Expo Aflord)
- Avoid
- December–February (summer heat and rain)
- Stay
- 0 nights
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$5–5.8 per US dollar in 2026 — check. Cards and tap-to-pay are accepted almost everywhere, even at beach kiosks.
- Daily spend
- Budget R$ 80–150 · Mid R$ 150–300 · High R$ 300+ (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 · Fire 193
- 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$5–15 per person per day.; Hotel staff: Small tip for porters.
- Water
- Do not drink tap water; filtered water is provided in most homes and hotels.
- Toilets
- Put toilet paper in the bin, not the toilet, in most places.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee (cafézinho) | R$ 3–6 |
| Lanche (snack sandwich) | R$ 10–20 |
| Beer (garrafa 600 ml) | R$ 6–10 |
| Taxi within Arujá | R$ 15–30 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- GRU · São Paulo/Guarulhos International Airport
- About 20 km (12 mi); taxi or ride-share, about 30 min (check)About 12 mi (20 km); taxi or ride-share, about 30 min (check)
Typical fares
- GRU → Arujá taxi
- about R$ 80, 30 min (check)
- Arujá → São Paulo bus
- about R$ 15, 40 min (check)
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
Arujá is small; walking covers the centre. For the Expo Aflord site, a taxi or ride-share is needed. Buses connect to Guarulhos and São Paulo.
See and do
Known for
- Expo Aflord flower exposition
- Japanese community
- BR-116 stop
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Guarulhos | Bus or taxi via BR-116, about 20 min | 30 min |
| São Paulo | Bus or car via BR-116, about 40 min | 1 h |
| Mogi das Cruzes | Bus or car via SP-56, about 30 min | 45 min |
Sleep
- Centre (near Rua Bogotá)
- Only one hotel listed; limited options.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | Oláoh-LAH |
| Thank you | Obrigadooh-bree-GAH-doo |
| How much? | Quanto?KWAN-too |
| Where is the bus stop? | Onde fica o ponto de ônibus?OHN-jee FEE-kah oo POHN-too jee OH-nee-boos |
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
- Expo Aflord dates vary: check the official site before planning.
- Limited accommodation: book ahead if staying overnight.
- BR-116 can be congested; allow extra time for travel.
Arujá is generally safe for a small Brazilian city. Usual precautions: avoid walking alone at night in empty streets, keep valuables out of sight, and use registered taxis or ride-shares.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Arujá yet. Suggested stay: 0 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Expo Aflord flower exposition
- Japanese community
- BR-116 stop
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: Arujá, revision 3778045 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=3778045
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/aruja). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.