Major city · Brazil
Brotas
Two full days for rafting and canyoning; one day if you only want a single activity. Add a third day for the Areia que Canta pools and a relaxed pace.
Brotas is the adventure-sports capital of São Paulo state, 250 km northwest of the capital. The town itself is a one-street service hub; the draw is the Jacaré Pepira River with Class III–IV rapids, plus canyoning, zip-lines and natural pools. Most visitors come for a long weekend.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- BRL
- Best months
- Apr–Sep (dry season, water levels good for rafting)
- avoid Dec–Feb (heavy rain, river may close for safety)
- Airports
- GRU · CGH
- Nights
- 2
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$81 — check) applied for online at the official VFS portal before travel; EU and UK citizens do not. Check your passport with Brazil's Ministry of Foreign Affairs before booking.
- Brazil ↗Yellow fever vaccination is recommended for many areas, including the Amazon and Pantanal; check with a travel clinic at least 10 days before travel.
- Brazil ↗Keep your phone out of sight in the street and on beaches; phone theft is the most common crime against visitors in big cities.
- Brazil ↗Carnival 2027 runs about 5–10 February (Tuesday 9 February; Salvador from 4 February): book Rio, Salvador and Recife/Olinda months ahead or avoid those dates.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Brotas190 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Brotas, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Brazilian real (BRL, R$).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
- SafetyBrotas is a small, tourist-oriented town with low crime.
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.
- AirportGRU São Paulo–Guarulhos (About 3 h by car; no direct bus).
- Getting aroundWalkable centre; bicycle hire available.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee and a snackR$ 8–15 (≈ US$2–3)
- BeerBeer (long neck)R$ 6–10 (≈ US$2)
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personR$60 (≈ US$12)
- Mid-range bedPousada double room, a night, per roomR$300 (≈ US$60)
- High-end bedPousada double room, a night, per roomR$500 (≈ US$95)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget R$200 (≈ US$40) · Mid R$400 (≈ US$75) · High R$700 (≈ US$130)
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
- GRU São Paulo–Guarulhos (About 3 h by car; no direct bus) · CGH São Paulo–Congonhas (About 2.5 h by car)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Mar
not flagged
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Apr
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
May
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Jun
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jul
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Aug
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Sep
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Oct
not flagged
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Nov
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Dec
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Best: Apr–Sep. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)), coolest Jun (12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C) low), wettest Jan (14 rain days), driest Jul (3). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Brotas: 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
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
14 rd
Feb
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
12 rd
Mar
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
10 rd
Apr
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
7 rd
May
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
5 rd
Jun
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
4 rd
Jul
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
3 rd
Aug
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
4 rd
Sep
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
6 rd
Oct
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
9 rd
Nov
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
11 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°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
Walkable centre; bicycle hire available. A car is needed for outlying lodges and the Areia que Canta pools.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 1 h
Car, about 1 h via SP-304
Small spa town with thermal pools; good for a half-day soak.
São Carlos
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Car, about 1 h via SP-215
University city with museums and a lively centre; check the São Carlos Science Museum.
Araraquara
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Car, about 1 h via SP-255
Larger city with good restaurants and a historic theatre; a change of pace from Brotas.
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
Walking distance to restaurants and bars; limited parking.
Riverside lodges (sítios)
Quieter, closer to rafting operators; need a car.
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$ 150–250 (≈ US$30–50) excl. activities
- Mid
- R$ 300–500 (≈ US$60–95) excl. activities
- High
- R$ 600 (≈ US$120)+ excl. activities
Trip budget
| Pousada double room1 × 2 nights × R$300 | R$600 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × R$400 | R$1,600 |
| Rafting half-day (per person)2 × R$120 · check | R$240 |
| Canyoning half-day (per person)2 × R$150 · check | R$300 |
| Zip-line tour (per person)2 × R$80 · check | R$160 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | R$290 |
| Trip total≈ R$798 per person per day, bed included | R$3,190≈ US$600 |
2026 estimate in BRL; flights excluded. Activities cost extra.
Prices of common things
| Coffee and a snack | R$ 8–15 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Lunch (prato feito) | R$ 25–45 (≈ US$5–9) |
| Beer (long neck) | R$ 6–10 (≈ US$2) |
| Rafting half-daycheck | R$ 100–150 (≈ US$19–30) |
| Bus São Paulo → Brotascheck | R$ 60–90 (≈ US$12–17) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Rafting operators require a minimum age (usually 12) and swimming ability; check before booking.
- River levels depend on rain; operators may cancel at short notice in the wet season.
- No ATM in town; bring cash for small purchases.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 190
- Ambulance
- 192
- Fire
- 193
Pocket card
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BrotasBrotas
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
—
Para este endereço, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police190
- Ambulance192
- Fire193
Embassy
Most embassies are in Brasília; consulates in São Paulo (about 3 h away).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- São Paulo (Tietê) → Brotas bus: about R$ 70 (≈ US$13), 3.5 h (check)
- Taxi from Brotas bus station to centre: R$ 15–25 (≈ US$3–5)
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? (KWAHN-too KOOS-tah)
- Onde fica a empresa de rafting? — Where is the rafting company? (OHN-jee FEE-kah ah ehm-PREH-zah jee RAF-ting)
- Aceita cartão? — Can I pay by card? (ah-SAY-tah kar-TAH-oo)
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 Brotas. 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–Sep (dry season, water levels good for rafting) · avoid Dec–Feb (heavy rain, river may close for safety) · month by month →
- 2 airports 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
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Brotas
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