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
Itu
Spend 1–2 days in Itu: see the historic centre, oversized attractions and a heritage park; easy day‑trip from São Paulo.
Itu is a medium‑sized city in São Paulo state, 1 hour by road from São Paulo and 20 minutes from Viracopos Airport. Its main draw are the historic centre with colonial churches and museums, plus a series of giant novelty objects that define its quirky tourism brand. The city is compact, so a full day covers the key sights; a second day allows a visit to Parque do Varvito and nearby oversized squares.
- Country
- Brazil
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- Avoid
- Jan–Feb (rainy season in São Paulo state)
- Stay
- 1–2 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$120–180 excl. bed · Mid R$180–300 excl. bed · High R$300+ 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.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee at a café | R$5–8 |
| Pastel (fried pastry) with juice | R$12–18 |
| Beer (draft) in a bar | R$8–12 |
| Taxi 5 km (3.1 mi)Taxi 3.1 mi (5 km) | R$30–35 |
| Bus ride | R$4–6 (check) |
| Museum entry | Free–R$10 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- VCP · Viracopos International Airport
- 20 min by car to Itu
Typical fares
- Viracopos → Itu (taxi)
- ≈ R$30, 20 min (check)
- City bus day pass
- ≈ R$15 per person (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
City buses cover the centre and outlying districts; most attractions are within 2 km (1.2 mi) walk. Taxis and rideshare (Uber) are cheap and fast for the airport‑city leg (≈ R$30).City buses cover the centre and outlying districts; most attractions are within 1.2 mi (2 km) walk. Taxis and rideshare (Uber) are cheap and fast for the airport‑city leg (≈ R$30).
See and do
Known for
- Historic centre with colonial churches
- Giant phone booth and other oversized objects
- Parque do Varvito geological park
- Museu Republicano Convenção de Itu
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Parque do Varvito | Local bus or taxi, 10 min from centre | ≈ 30 min round trip |
| São Paulo | Car or bus, 1 h via Castelo Branco motorway | ≈ 1 h 30 min total |
Sleep
- Centro (Historic centre)
- Walking distance to churches, museums and oversized squares; many budget hotels and pousadas.
- Near Parque do Varvito
- Quiet area, good for nature walks; a few guesthouses.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Com licençakohm lee-sah |
| Thank you | Obrigadooh-bree-gah-doo |
| How much is this? | Quanto custa?kwahn-toh koos-tah? |
| Where is the bathroom? | Onde fica o banheiro?ohn-jee fee-kah oo bahn-yay-roh? |
| Can I pay by card? | Posso pagar com cartão?poh-soo pah-gar cohm kar-tawn? |
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
- Bus schedule website often outdated – verify times locally (check).
- Some oversized installations are on private property; respect signage.
- Summer heat can be strong; carry water and sun protection.
Itu is generally safe; petty theft can occur in crowded squares – keep valuables close and avoid empty streets after dark.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Itu yet. Suggested stay: 1–2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Historic centre with colonial churches
- Giant phone booth and other oversized objects
- Parque do Varvito geological park
- Museu Republicano Convenção de Itu
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: Itu, revision 5129626 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5129626
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/itu). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.