Major city · Brazil
Bananal
Spend a half‑day in Bananal for historic centre and waterfall trail; add a night if you want the 8‑hour Bocaina hike.
Bananal is a small historic town in São Paulo's Vale do Paraíba, known for 18‑19th‑century architecture, coffee‑era farms and nearby natural pools and waterfalls. Its sights cluster in the centre, so a few hours cover the main churches, squares and the old railway station; longer hikes into the Bocaina range need an overnight.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- BRL
- Best months
- Apr–Oct
- avoid Jan–Mar (rainy), Jun–Aug (heavy storms in mountains)
- Airport
- GRU
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…
- South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
- South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
- South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
- Brazil ↗US, Canadian and Australian citizens need an e-visa (about US$81 — check) applied for online at the official VFS portal before travel; EU and UK citizens do not. Check your passport with Brazil's Ministry of Foreign Affairs before booking.
- Brazil ↗Yellow fever vaccination is recommended for many areas, including the Amazon and Pantanal; check with a travel clinic at least 10 days before travel.
- Brazil ↗Keep your phone out of sight in the street and on beaches; phone theft is the most common crime against visitors in big cities.
- Brazil ↗Carnival 2027 runs about 5–10 February (Tuesday 9 February; Salvador from 4 February): book Rio, Salvador and Recife/Olinda months ahead or avoid those dates.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Bananal190 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Bananal, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Brazilian real (BRL, R$).Brazil-wide
- SIM or eSIMVivo, Claro and TIM cover the country; buying a prepaid SIM needs a passport and sometimes a CPF — an eSIM before you fly is easier.Brazil-wide
- Tap waterDo not drink tap water; filtered water is provided in most homes and hotels.Brazil-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 10% service (serviço) usually on the bill; optional but normal.Brazil-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/N. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 127 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Brazil-wide
- SafetyGenerally safe for day visitors; mountain trails need preparation and weather checks.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPut toilet paper in the bin, not the toilet, in most places.Brazil-wide
- Emergency numbers190 police · 192 ambulance · 193 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysCarnival shuts many businesses for several days; museums often close on Mondays.Brazil-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportGRU São Paulo–Guarulhos International Airport (≈330 km (205 mi) by road, about 4 h drive via BR‑116/Via Dutra).GRU São Paulo–Guarulhos International Airport (≈205 mi (330 km) by road, about 4 h drive via BR‑116/Via Dutra).
- Getting aroundTown is walkable; use local taxis or hire a car for trailheads on SP‑247.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at a caféR$5–8 (≈ US$1–2)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi (city centre, 5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi (city centre, 3.1 mi (5 km))R$30–45 (≈ US$6–9)
- Budget bedPousada Béni room, a night, per personR$300 (≈ US$60)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget R$120 (≈ US$25) · Mid R$250 (≈ US$50) · High R$400 (≈ US$75)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- GRU São Paulo–Guarulhos International Airport (≈330 km (205 mi) by road, about 4 h drive via BR‑116/Via Dutra)GRU São Paulo–Guarulhos International Airport (≈205 mi (330 km) by road, about 4 h drive via BR‑116/Via Dutra)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Feb
Avoid
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Mar
Avoid
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Apr
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
May
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jun
Care
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jul
Care
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Aug
Care
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Sep
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Oct
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Nov
not flagged
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Dec
not flagged
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Best: Apr–May, Sep–Oct. Mixed: Jun–Aug. Avoid: Jan–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)), coolest Jun (12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C) low), wettest Jan (12 rain days), driest Jul (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Bananal: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
12 rd
Feb
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
11 rd
Mar
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
10 rd
Apr
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
9 rd
May
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
8 rd
Jun
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
7 rd
Jul
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
6 rd
Aug
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
7 rd
Sep
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
9 rd
Oct
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
10 rd
Nov
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
11 rd
Dec
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
12 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Town is walkable; use local taxis or hire a car for trailheads on SP‑247. No public transit inside town.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Bracuí Waterfall
goDoor to door: ≈30 min round trip
Drive or taxi along SP‑247, km 38; 10 min from town centre
Clear water, white‑sand pool; easy walk.
Friar's Stone (Bocaina range)
cautionDoor to door: ≈2 h drive + 8 h hike
Drive to SP‑247 km (153 mi) 33, then start trailDrive to SP‑153 mi (247 km) 33, then start trail
Difficult, requires good fitness and supplies; consider overnight stay.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Pousada Béni
Outdoor pool, garden, bar, sauna; price R$600 per night
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- R$120–180 (≈ US$25–35) excl. bed
- Mid
- R$180–300 (≈ US$35–60) excl. bed
Trip budget
| Pousada Béni room2 × 1 night × R$450 | R$900 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × R$250 | R$500 |
| Taxi to Bracuí Waterfall (round trip)2 × R$80 · check | R$160 |
| Guided hike to Friar's Stone (full day)2 × R$150 · check | R$300 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | R$186 |
| Trip total≈ R$1,023 per person per day, bed included | R$2,046≈ US$400 |
Includes pool access.
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at a café | R$5–8 (≈ US$1–2) |
| Meal (local restaurant) | R$20–35 (≈ US$4–7) |
| Taxi (city centre, 5 km) | R$30–45 (≈ US$6–9) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Road to Friar's Stone trail is steep and may be closed after heavy rain – check locally.
- Limited medical facilities; carry water and basic first‑aid for mountain hikes.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 190
- Ambulance
- 192
- Fire
- 193
Pocket card
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BananalBananal
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Para este endereço, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police190
- Ambulance192
- Fire193
Embassy
US consulate in São Paulo; nearest Brazilian embassy in Brasília.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Taxi town centre → Bracuí Waterfall: ≈ R$40 one way, 10 min (check)
Say or show
- Olá / Com licença — Hello / Excuse me (oh-LAH / kohm lee-SEHN-sah)
- Quanto custa? — How much? (KWAHN-toh KOOS-tah)
- Onde fica o banheiro? — Where is the bathroom? (OHN-jee FEE-kah oo bah-NYEH-roh)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Bananal. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Oct · avoid Jan–Mar (rainy), Jun–Aug (heavy storms in mountains) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a guided hike to Friar's Stone for adventure travelers.
- Promote a heritage walk linking churches, railway station and Solar Comendador.
Sources
Ask about Bananal
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