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Voykit pocket guide · Brazil
Joanópolis
Half-day or one-night stop for waterfalls and hiking: Cachoeira dos Pretos and Pico do Selado are the draw. Not a base for the Campinas region.
Joanópolis is a small town in the Campinas Region of São Paulo state, known for its waterfalls and mountain peaks. Most visitors come for a day trip or a single night to hike to Cachoeira dos Pretos (154 m) or climb Pico do Selado (2070 m). The town itself has limited services, so plan your meals and accommodation ahead.
- Country
- Brazil
- Best months
- Apr–Oct
- Avoid
- Dec–Feb (heavy rain, trails slippery)
- 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$5–5.8 per US dollar in 2026 — check. Cards and tap-to-pay are accepted almost everywhere, even at beach kiosks.
- Daily spend
- Budget R$ 150–250 excl. bed · Mid R$ 250–400 excl. bed · High R$ 400+ 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$5–15 per person per day.; Hotel staff: Small tip for porters.
- Water
- Do not drink tap water; filtered water is provided in most homes and hotels.
- Toilets
- Put toilet paper in the bin, not the toilet, in most places.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee at a padaria | R$ 5–8 |
| Lunch (prato feito) | R$ 25–40 |
| Beer (long neck) | R$ 6–10 |
| Pousada double room per night | R$ 150–400 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- VCP · Viracopos (Campinas)
- About 1.5 h drive; no direct bus, check
- GRU · São Paulo–Guarulhos
- About 2 h drive; check
Typical fares
- Viracopos → Joanópolis (taxi/rideshare)
- about R$ 200–300, about 1.5 h (check)
- Downtown → Cachoeira dos Pretos (car)
- about 18 km (11 mi), 25 minabout 11 mi (18 km), 25 min
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
Car is essential: the waterfalls and peaks are 7–31 km (4.3–19 mi) from the centre. No public transport to the sights.Car is essential: the waterfalls and peaks are 4.3–19 mi (7–31 km) from the centre. No public transport to the sights.
See and do
Known for
- Cachoeira dos Pretos waterfall
- Pico do Selado peak
- Hang-gliding
- Festa de São João
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Piracaia | Car, about 30 min | About 40 min |
| Campos do Jordão | Car via MG-173, about 1.5 h | About 2 h |
| Santo Antônio do Pinhal | Car, about 1 h | About 1.5 h |
Sleep
- Downtown Joanópolis
- A few pousadas and guesthouses; walking distance to restaurants.
- Rural lodges near the waterfalls
- Quieter, closer to trails; 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?KWAN-too KOOS-tah |
| Where is the waterfall? | Onde fica a cachoeira?OHN-jee FEE-kah ah kah-shoo-EH-rah |
| Can I pay by card? | Posso pagar com cartão?POH-soo pah-GAR kohm kar-TOW |
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
- Trails can be muddy after rain; wear proper shoes.
- No ATM may be available in town; bring cash.
- Cachoeira dos Pretos requires a short hike; check conditions locally.
Joanópolis is generally safe for daytime hiking and town visits. The main risks are trail conditions after rain and limited emergency services in remote areas.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Joanópolis yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Cachoeira dos Pretos waterfall
- Pico do Selado peak
- Hang-gliding
- Festa de São João
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: Joanópolis, revision 3503491 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=3503491
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/joanopolis). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.