In the print dialog pick “Save as PDF” to keep it on your phone. A5 makes a pocket booklet; A4 suits a desk printer.
Voykit pocket guide · Brazil
Iconha
Half-day stop for waterfalls along BR-101 between Rio and Vitória; not a destination on its own.
Iconha is a small town in central Espírito Santo, 70 km south of Vitória, known for three waterfalls within a few kilometres of the highway. Most travellers pass through on the BR-101 corridor and stop for a quick swim. The town itself has no major sights beyond the falls.
- Country
- Brazil
- Best months
- Apr–Sep (dry season)
- Avoid
- Dec–Mar (heavy rain, higher water but slippery trails)
- 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 (just a stop, no overnight) · 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$5–15 per person per day.; Hotel staff: Small tip for porters.
- Water
- Do not drink tap water; filtered water is provided in most homes and hotels.
- Toilets
- Put toilet paper in the bin, not the toilet, in most places.
Get in
By air
- VIX · Eurico de Aguiar Salles Airport (Vitória)
- About 1 h 15 min by car; no direct bus.
Typical fares
- Taxi from BR-101 exit to Cachoeira do Meio
- about R$ 30–50 (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
You need a car or a taxi from the BR-101 exit to reach the falls. No public transport within the town.
See and do
Known for
- Cachoeira do Meio (Middle Falls)
- Pedra D'Água Falls
- Salto Grande Falls
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Guarapari | Car via BR-101, about 30 min south | About 40 min |
| Vitória | Car via BR-101, about 1 h north | About 1 h 15 min |
| Anchieta | Car via BR-101, about 20 min south | About 25 min |
Sleep
- Centro (downtown)
- A few pousadas; limited options, book ahead.
- BR-101 roadside
- Basic motels for truck drivers; not recommended for tourists.
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? | Quanto custa?KWAHN-too KOOS-tah |
| Where is the waterfall? | Onde fica a cachoeira?OHN-jee FEE-kah ah kah-SHWAY-rah |
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
- Waterfall access is on unpaved roads; a car with decent clearance helps.
- No ATM in town; bring cash from Vitória or Guarapari.
- Trails can be slippery after rain; wear proper footwear.
Iconha is generally safe, but watch for loose dogs near the falls and slippery rocks. Avoid walking alone on trails after dark.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Iconha yet. Suggested stay: 0 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Cachoeira do Meio (Middle Falls)
- Pedra D'Água Falls
- Salto Grande Falls
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: Iconha, revision 3503147 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=3503147
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/iconha). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.