Major city · Brazil
São Mateus
Half-day stop on the BR-101 between Vitória and southern Bahia: see the colonial churches and Guriri Island, then move on. One night if you want beach time.
São Mateus is a historic river town in northern Espírito Santo, with a compact colonial centre (Igreja Matriz, Igreja de São Benedito, Igreja Velha ruins) and the long Guriri Island beach 10 km east. Most travellers pass through on the BR-101; the town itself rewards a few hours, not a full day.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- BRL
- Best months
- Apr–Oct
- avoid Dec–Feb (crowded on Guriri), Nov–Mar (rainy)
- Airport
- VIX
- Nights
- 0–1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…
- South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
- South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
- South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
- Brazil ↗US, Canadian and Australian citizens need an e-visa (about US$81 — check) applied for online at the official VFS portal before travel; EU and UK citizens do not. Check your passport with Brazil's Ministry of Foreign Affairs before booking.
- Brazil ↗Yellow fever vaccination is recommended for many areas, including the Amazon and Pantanal; check with a travel clinic at least 10 days before travel.
- Brazil ↗Keep your phone out of sight in the street and on beaches; phone theft is the most common crime against visitors in big cities.
- Brazil ↗Carnival 2027 runs about 5–10 February (Tuesday 9 February; Salvador from 4 February): book Rio, Salvador and Recife/Olinda months ahead or avoid those dates.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for São Mateus190 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about São Mateus, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Brazilian real (BRL, R$).Brazil-wide
- SIM or eSIMVivo, Claro and TIM cover the country; buying a prepaid SIM needs a passport and sometimes a CPF — an eSIM before you fly is easier.Brazil-wide
- Tap waterDo not drink tap water; filtered water is provided in most homes and hotels.Brazil-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 10% service (serviço) usually on the bill; optional but normal.Brazil-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/N. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 127 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Brazil-wide
- SafetySão Mateus is generally safe in the centre during the day.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPut toilet paper in the bin, not the toilet, in most places.Brazil-wide
- Emergency numbers190 police · 192 ambulance · 193 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysCarnival shuts many businesses for several days; museums often close on Mondays.Brazil-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportVIX Eurico de Aguiar Salles Airport (Vitória) (Bus or car via BR-101, about 2 h 30 min).
- Getting aroundTown centre is walkable.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee (cafezinho)R$ 4–7 (≈ US$1–2)
- BeerBeer (garrafa 600 ml)R$ 8–15 (≈ US$2–3)
- Budget bedBasic pousada double room, a night, per roomR$80 (≈ US$15)
- Mid-range bedBasic pousada double room, a night, per roomR$150 (≈ US$30)
- High-end bedBasic pousada double room, a night, per roomR$250 (≈ US$50)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget R$100 (≈ US$19) · Mid R$200 (≈ US$40) · High R$400 (≈ US$75)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- VIX Eurico de Aguiar Salles Airport (Vitória) (Bus or car via BR-101, about 2 h 30 min)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Feb
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Mar
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Apr
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
May
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jun
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jul
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Aug
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Sep
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Oct
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Nov
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Dec
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Best: Apr–Oct. Avoid: Nov–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jul (18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C) low), wettest Jan (12 rain days), driest Jun (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
São Mateus: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12 rd
Feb
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
10 rd
Mar
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
11 rd
Apr
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
9 rd
May
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
7 rd
Jun
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
6 rd
Jul
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
6 rd
Aug
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
6 rd
Sep
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
7 rd
Oct
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
9 rd
Nov
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11 rd
Dec
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Town centre is walkable. To reach Guriri Island or Barra Nova Beach you need a car or taxi (about R$ 30–50 one way).
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Conceição da Barra
goDoor to door: 30 min
Car via ES-422, about 25 min
River beach and quiet fishing town.
Itaúnas
goDoor to door: 1 h 15 min
Car via BR-101 and ES-010, about 1 h
Dunes and forró; best in the dry season.
Door to door: 1 h
Car via BR-101 south, about 50 min
Larger town with lagoons and the Rio Doce delta.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Centro
Near the historic churches and restaurants; basic pousadas.
Guriri Island
Beachfront inns and summer houses; 10–15 min drive from town.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- R$ 80–150 (≈ US$15–30) excl. bed
- Mid
- R$ 150–300 (≈ US$30–60) excl. bed
- High
- R$ 300 (≈ US$60)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range pousada double room1 × 1 night × R$250 | R$250 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × R$200 | R$400 |
| Taxi Centro ↔ Guriri Island (one way)1 × R$40 · check | R$40 |
| Meal for one (mid-range restaurant)2 × R$50 | R$100 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | R$79 |
| Trip total≈ R$435 per person per day, bed included | R$869≈ US$170 |
2026 estimate in BRL; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee (cafezinho) | R$ 4–7 (≈ US$1–2) |
| Moqueca capixaba (one person) | R$ 40–70 (≈ US$8–13) |
| Beer (garrafa 600 ml) | R$ 8–15 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Taxi Centro → Guriri | R$ 30–50 (≈ US$6–10) |
| Bus Vitória → São Mateus | R$ 40–60 (≈ US$8–12) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Guriri Island gets packed on summer weekends and holidays.
- Igreja Velha ruins are open-air; no shade, go early.
- BR-101 traffic can be heavy; allow extra time if driving north or south.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 190
- Ambulance
- 192
- Fire
- 193
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
São MateusSão Mateus
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Para este endereço, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police190
- Ambulance192
- Fire193
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Taxi Centro → Guriri: R$ 30–50 (≈ US$6–10) (check)
- Bus Vitória → São Mateus: R$ 40–60 (≈ US$8–12), about 2 h 30 min (check)
Say or show
- Bom dia — Hello / Good morning (bohm DEE-ah)
- Obrigado — Thank you (oh-bree-GAH-doo)
- Quanto custa? — How much does it cost? (KWAN-toh KOOS-tah)
- Onde fica a praia? — Where is the beach? (OHN-deh FEE-kah ah PRAI-ah)
- Eu gostaria de… — I would like… (eh-oo goh-stah-REE-ah deh)
Portuguese only; English not widely spoken.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for São Mateus. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Oct · avoid Dec–Feb (crowded on Guriri), Nov–Mar (rainy) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for Igreja Matriz, Igreja Velha, Sacred Art Museum, Guriri Island.
- Eat pages with last orders and typical dishes (moqueca capixaba, torta capixaba).
- Verified opening hours for churches and museum.
- Bus schedules for the BR-101 route.
Sources
Ask about São Mateus
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