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Back to Caconde

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Voykit pocket guide · Brazil

Caconde

Spend 1‑2 days for rafting, canyoning and mountain trekking; stay one night in a local pousada.

Caconde is a small mountain town in São Paulo state, known for adventure sports on the Pardo River and nearby waterfalls. One full day of activities plus an overnight gives enough time to try rafting, canyoning and a short trek.

AbadiâniaAçailândiaAfonso CláudioÁguas de LindóiaÁguas de São PedroAlagoinhasAlcântaraAlter do ChãoAlto Paraíso de GoiásAmparoAngra dos ReisAntoninaAparecidaAquirazCaconde1,000 kmdots: other places in this guide
Sketch, not to navigate by: shapes follow this guide’s areas and places, not official boundaries. North is up.
Country
Brazil
Best months
May–Oct (check)
Avoid
Jan–Mar (rainy season, check)
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$120–150 excl. bed · Mid R$200–250 excl. bed · High R$350–450 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 · 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.

Get in

By air

GRU · São Paulo–Guarulhos International Airport
≈250 km (155 mi) by road, about 3 h drive
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

No public bus service; hire a taxi or rent a car for river activities and mountain access.

See and do

Known for

  • Rafting on Pardo River
  • Canyoning at Fortaleza Mountain
  • Mountain trekking to Pontal Mount
  • Lake and waterfall sightseeing

Day trips

WhereHowTime
AmparoBus from Caconde station, about 30 min≈1 h
Serra NegraTaxi or rented car, about 45 min≈1 h
São PauloBus or car, about 3 h≈3 h 30 min

Sleep

Pousada das Flores
Simple pousada in town centre; good for one night.

Phrase card

EnglishSay or show
Excuse me / SorryDesculpedes-KOOL-pe
Thank youObrigadooh-bree-GAH-doo
How much is it?Quanto custa?KWAHN-toh KOOS-tah
Where is the bathroom?Onde fica o banheiro?OHN-jee FEE-kah oo bah-NYAY-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

  • Level V rapid on Pardo River (Polish Corridor) requires experienced guide.
  • Roads to waterfalls can be steep; use a 4 WD vehicle if possible.

Adventure operators are licensed; follow guides, watch rapid levels, and keep hydrated; petty crime low but secure belongings in town.

One and two days

No timed day plan for Caconde yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.

  • Rafting on Pardo River
  • Canyoning at Fortaleza Mountain
  • Mountain trekking to Pontal Mount
  • Lake and waterfall sightseeing

Sources

Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.

Pocket card

Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.

Caconde

Para este endereço, por favor

To this address, please

My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)

Check local guidebooks for updated taxi rates.

Voykit · checked 2026-09

Printed from Voykit (/caconde). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.