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Voykit pocket guide · Brazil
Nova Friburgo
Half a day to one night: see the cathedral, lingerie outlets and a viewpoint, then move on to Petrópolis or Teresópolis.
Nova Friburgo was the first German settlement in Brazil, but its sights are modest. The main draw is lingerie shopping (the city is Brazil's lingerie capital) and a few outdoor spots. Most travellers use it as a stop between Rio and the Serrana region, not a base.
- Country
- Brazil
- Best months
- Apr–Oct
- Avoid
- Dec–Feb (rainy, hot)
- 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$80–120 excl. bed · Mid R$120–200 excl. bed · High R$200+ 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 |
|---|---|
| Local bus ride | R$4–5 |
| Taxi within town | R$15–25 |
| Lunch (prato feito) | R$20–35 |
| Coffee and pastel | R$8–15 |
| Lingerie (average piece) | R$30–80 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- GIG · Rio de Janeiro–Galeão
- About 2 h by car; no direct bus, take a bus to Rio's Novo Rio terminal then another to Nova Friburgo.
- SDU · Rio de Janeiro–Santos Dumont
- Same transfer as Galeão; closer to the long-distance bus terminal.
Typical fares
- Bus Rio → Nova Friburgo
- about R$50–70, 2.5 h (check)
- Bus Nova Friburgo → Petrópolis
- about R$25–40, 1.5 h (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
The centre is walkable. For Olaria and Ponte da Saudade, take a local bus (R$4–5) or taxi (R$15–25 within town).
See and do
Known for
- Lingerie shopping (Olaria and Ponte da Saudade)
- Catedral São João Batista
- Parque de Furnas do Catete
- Pedra Riscada viewpoint
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Petrópolis | Bus from Nova Friburgo bus station, about 1 h 30 min | About 2 h |
| Teresópolis | Bus, about 1 h 30 min | About 2 h |
| Três Rios | Bus, about 1 h | About 1.5 h |
Sleep
- Centro
- Near the cathedral and main bus stop; most hotels are here.
- Olaria
- Close to lingerie shops; quieter at night.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | Oláoh-LAH |
| Thank you | Obrigadooh-bree-GAH-doo |
| How much? | Quanto custa?KWAHN-too KOOS-tah |
| Where is the bus station? | Onde fica a rodoviária?ON-dee FEE-kah ah hoh-doh-vee-AH-ree-ah |
| Do you speak English? | Você fala inglês?voh-SEH FAH-lah een-GLEHS |
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
- Lingerie shops close by 18:00–19:00; plan your shopping early.
- Parque de Furnas do Catete may have restricted hours: check the official site.
- Pedra Riscada is a short hike; wear sturdy shoes.
Generally safe in the centre and shopping areas; avoid poorly lit streets at night. Petty theft can occur on buses.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Nova Friburgo yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Lingerie shopping (Olaria and Ponte da Saudade)
- Catedral São João Batista
- Parque de Furnas do Catete
- Pedra Riscada viewpoint
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: Nova Friburgo, revision 4262804 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=4262804
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/nova-friburgo). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.