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Voykit pocket guide · Brazil
Brotas
Two full days for rafting and canyoning; one day if you only want a single activity. Add a third day for the Areia que Canta pools and a relaxed pace.
Brotas is the adventure-sports capital of São Paulo state, 250 km northwest of the capital. The town itself is a one-street service hub; the draw is the Jacaré Pepira River with Class III–IV rapids, plus canyoning, zip-lines and natural pools. Most visitors come for a long weekend.
- Country
- Brazil
- Best months
- Apr–Sep (dry season, water levels good for rafting)
- Avoid
- Dec–Feb (heavy rain, river may close for safety)
- Stay
- 2 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$5–5.8 per US dollar in 2026 — check. Cards and tap-to-pay are accepted almost everywhere, even at beach kiosks.
- Daily spend
- Budget R$ 150–250 excl. activities · Mid R$ 300–500 excl. activities · High R$ 600+ excl. activities (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$5–15 per person per day.; Hotel staff: Small tip for porters.
- Water
- Do not drink tap water; filtered water is provided in most homes and hotels.
- Toilets
- Put toilet paper in the bin, not the toilet, in most places.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee and a snack | R$ 8–15 |
| Lunch (prato feito) | R$ 25–45 |
| Beer (long neck) | R$ 6–10 |
| Rafting half-day | R$ 100–150 |
| Bus São Paulo → Brotas | R$ 60–90 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- GRU · São Paulo–Guarulhos
- About 3 h by car; no direct bus
- CGH · São Paulo–Congonhas
- About 2.5 h by car
Typical fares
- São Paulo (Tietê) → Brotas bus
- about R$ 70, 3.5 h (check)
- Taxi from Brotas bus station to centre
- R$ 15–25
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
Walkable centre; bicycle hire available. A car is needed for outlying lodges and the Areia que Canta pools.
See and do
Known for
- Whitewater rafting on the Jacaré Pepira River
- Canyoning and abseiling
- Areia que Canta natural pools
- Zip-lining and canopy tours
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Águas de São Pedro | Car, about 1 h via SP-304 | About 1 h |
| São Carlos | Car, about 1 h via SP-215 | About 1 h |
| Araraquara | Car, about 1 h via SP-255 | About 1 h |
Sleep
- Town centre
- Walking distance to restaurants and bars; limited parking.
- Riverside lodges (sítios)
- Quieter, closer to rafting operators; need a car.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello / Good morning | Bom diabohm DEE-ah |
| Thank you | Obrigado / Obrigadaoh-bree-GAH-doo / oh-bree-GAH-dah |
| How much is it? | Quanto custa?KWAHN-too KOOS-tah |
| Where is the rafting company? | Onde fica a empresa de rafting?OHN-jee FEE-kah ah ehm-PREH-zah jee RAF-ting |
| Can I pay by card? | Aceita cartão?ah-SAY-tah kar-TAH-oo |
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
- Rafting operators require a minimum age (usually 12) and swimming ability; check before booking.
- River levels depend on rain; operators may cancel at short notice in the wet season.
- No ATM in town; bring cash for small purchases.
Brotas is a small, tourist-oriented town with low crime. The main risks are river-related: wear a life jacket, follow the guide, and never raft alone.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Brotas yet. Suggested stay: 2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Whitewater rafting on the Jacaré Pepira River
- Canyoning and abseiling
- Areia que Canta natural pools
- Zip-lining and canopy tours
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: Brotas, revision 4055860 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=4055860
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/brotas). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.