Major city · Brazil
Maquiné
Half-day stop for waterfalls and polenta, not a base: one night if you want to hike three falls and eat at the festival.
Maquiné is a quiet town in Rio Grande do Sul's coastal mountains, 2 hours from Porto Alegre. Its draw is three waterfalls within 12 km of the centre, plus an August polenta-and-wine festival. Most travellers pass through on the BR-101; a half-day covers Escangalho and Forqueta falls, and a meal of local polenta.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- BRL
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- avoid Dec–Feb (heavy rain, high humidity), Jul (cold, fewer daylight hours)
- Airport
- POA
- Nights
- 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$81 — check) applied for online at the official VFS portal before travel; EU and UK citizens do not. Check your passport with Brazil's Ministry of Foreign Affairs before booking.
- Brazil ↗Yellow fever vaccination is recommended for many areas, including the Amazon and Pantanal; check with a travel clinic at least 10 days before travel.
- Brazil ↗Keep your phone out of sight in the street and on beaches; phone theft is the most common crime against visitors in big cities.
- Brazil ↗Carnival 2027 runs about 5–10 February (Tuesday 9 February; Salvador from 4 February): book Rio, Salvador and Recife/Olinda months ahead or avoid those dates.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Maquiné190 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Maquiné, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Brazilian real (BRL, R$).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
- SafetyMaquiné is a low-crime rural town.
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.
- AirportcheckPOA Salgado Filho International Airport (Porto Alegre) (2 h drive via BR-101; check road conditions after rain.).
- Getting aroundCar or taxi; the three falls are 6–12 km (3.7–7.5 mi) from the centre on unpaved roads.Car or taxi; the three falls are 3.7–7.5 mi (6–12 km) from the centre on unpaved roads.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee (cafézinho)R$ 5–8 (≈ US$1–2)
- BeerBeer (600 ml bottle)R$ 8–12 (≈ US$2–3)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi from town centre to Escangalho FallscheckR$ 40–60 (≈ US$8–12)
- Budget bedPousada double room, a night, per roomR$150 (≈ US$30)
- Mid-range bedPousada double room, a night, per roomR$250 (≈ US$50)
- High-end bedPousada double room, a night, per roomR$400 (≈ US$75)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget R$120 (≈ US$25) · Mid R$220 (≈ US$45) · 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
- POA Salgado Filho International Airport (Porto Alegre) (2 h drive via BR-101; check road conditions after rain.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Feb
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Mar
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Apr
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
May
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jun
not flagged
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jul
Avoid
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Aug
not flagged
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Sep
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Oct
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Nov
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Dec
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Best: Mar–May, Sep–Nov. Avoid: Jul, Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)), coolest Jul (9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C) low), wettest Jan (14 rain days), driest May (8). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Maquiné: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
14 rd
Feb
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
12 rd
Mar
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
11 rd
Apr
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
9 rd
May
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
8 rd
Jun
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
9 rd
Jul
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
9 rd
Aug
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
9 rd
Sep
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
10 rd
Oct
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
11 rd
Nov
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
10 rd
Dec
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
13 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
Car or taxi; the three falls are 6–12 km from the centre on unpaved roads. No public transport to the falls.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Torres
goDoor to door: 1 h
BR-101 north, about 1 h
Beach town with basalt cliffs; good for a full day.
Osório
goDoor to door: 30 min
BR-101 south, about 30 min
Largest town nearby; services and bus station.
Door to door: 1.5 h
BR-101 then RS-235, about 1.5 h
Full day; check Gramado guide for details.
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.
Town centre
Near the main square and restaurants; limited options.
Barra do Ouro
Rural area 8 km (5 mi) from centre; Baite Della Luna is here.Rural area 5 mi (8 km) from centre; Baite Della Luna is here.
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$ 120–180 (≈ US$25–35) excl. bed
- Mid
- R$ 180–300 (≈ US$35–60) excl. bed
- High
- R$ 300 (≈ US$60)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Pousada double room1 × 1 night × R$250 | R$250 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × R$220 | R$440 |
| Car rental per day (compact)2 × R$150 · check | R$300 |
| Fuel Porto Alegre–Maquiné round trip1 × R$120 · check | R$120 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | R$111 |
| Trip total≈ R$611 per person per day, bed included | R$1,221≈ US$250 |
2026 estimate in BRL; flights and car rental excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Polenta dish (local restaurant) | R$ 25–45 (≈ US$5–9) |
| Beer (600 ml bottle) | R$ 8–12 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Coffee (cafézinho) | R$ 5–8 (≈ US$1–2) |
| Taxi from town centre to Escangalho Fallscheck | R$ 40–60 (≈ US$8–12) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Unpaved roads to the falls become slippery after rain; a 4×2 car is fine in dry weather.
- No ATM in town; bring cash (BRL) for restaurants and small shops.
- The Polenta and Wine Festival is a single weekend in early August; book accommodation ahead.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 190
- Ambulance
- 192
- Fire
- 193
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
MaquinéMaquiné
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Para este endereço, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police190
- Ambulance192
- Fire193
Embassy
The US consulate is in Porto Alegre; most other countries have consulates in Porto Alegre or São Paulo.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Porto Alegre → Maquiné by car: about 2 h, R$ 60 (≈ US$12) in fuel (check)
- Taxi town centre → Escangalho Falls: R$ 40–60 (≈ US$8–12) (check)
Say or show
- Bom dia — Hello / Good morning (bohm DEE-ah)
- Obrigado / Obrigada — Thank you (oh-bree-GAH-doo / oh-bree-GAH-dah)
- Quanto custa? — How much is it? (KWAN-toh KOOS-tah)
- Onde fica a cachoeira? — Where is the waterfall? (OHN-deh FEE-kah ah kah-SHOE-ay-rah)
- Aceita cartão? — Can I pay by card? (ah-SAY-tah kar-TOWN)
No ATM in Maquiné; bring cash from Osório or Porto Alegre.
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 Maquiné. 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: Mar–May, Sep–Nov · avoid Dec–Feb (heavy rain, high humidity), Jul (cold, fewer daylight hours) · 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
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for each waterfall with verified road conditions and parking.
- Festival page with exact dates and ticket info.
- Eat pages for the three restaurants with last-order times.
Sources
Ask about Maquiné
Loading…
Was this useful?