Major city · Brazil
Queluz
Skip as a destination; pass through for Pedra da Mina or waterfalls on a day trip from São José dos Campos or Resende.
Queluz is a small town (pop. 9,000) on the border between São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, best known for Pedra da Mina, the fourth-highest peak in Brazil, and several waterfalls. Most travellers use it as a quick stop on BR-116 or a base for hiking, not as a standalone destination.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- BRL
- Best months
- Apr–Oct (dry season for hiking)
- avoid Dec–Feb (rainy, trails muddy)
- Airports
- SJK · GIG
- Nights
- 0
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$81 — check) applied for online at the official VFS portal before travel; EU and UK citizens do not. Check your passport with Brazil's Ministry of Foreign Affairs before booking.
- Brazil ↗Yellow fever vaccination is recommended for many areas, including the Amazon and Pantanal; check with a travel clinic at least 10 days before travel.
- Brazil ↗Keep your phone out of sight in the street and on beaches; phone theft is the most common crime against visitors in big cities.
- Brazil ↗Carnival 2027 runs about 5–10 February (Tuesday 9 February; Salvador from 4 February): book Rio, Salvador and Recife/Olinda months ahead or avoid those dates.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Queluz190 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Queluz, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Brazilian real (BRL, R$).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
- SafetyQueluz is a quiet town; main risks are on the trails: altitude, weather changes, and poor phone reception.
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.
- AirportSJK São José dos Campos Airport (About 1 h 30 min drive; no direct bus).
- Getting aroundCar essential; no public transport within town.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- BeerBeer (600 ml)R$ 8–12 (≈ US$2–3)
- Budget bedCamping spot (tent), a night, per personR$30 (≈ US$6)
- Mid-range bedPousada double room, a night, per roomR$200 (≈ US$40)
- High-end bedPousada double room, a night, per roomR$350 (≈ US$65)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget R$80 (≈ US$15) · Mid R$150 (≈ US$30) · High R$300 (≈ US$60)
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
- SJK São José dos Campos Airport (About 1 h 30 min drive; no direct bus) · GIG Rio de Janeiro–Galeão (About 2 h 30 min drive via BR-116)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Feb
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Mar
not flagged
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Apr
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
May
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jun
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jul
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Aug
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Sep
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Oct
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Nov
not flagged
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Dec
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Best: Apr–Oct. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)), coolest Jun (11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C) low), wettest Jan (16 rain days), driest Jun (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Queluz: 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
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
16 rd
Feb
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
14 rd
Mar
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
13 rd
Apr
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
9 rd
May
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
7 rd
Jun
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
5 rd
Jul
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
5 rd
Aug
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
5 rd
Sep
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
8 rd
Oct
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
11 rd
Nov
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
13 rd
Dec
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
16 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 essential; no public transport within town. BR-116 runs through the centre. Hiking trails require a 4×4 or a guide.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Pedra da Mina
goDoor to door: 10–12 h
Car to the trailhead (Estrada do Paiol, about 10 km (6.2 mi) from centre), then hikeCar to the trailhead (Estrada do Paiol, about 6.2 mi (10 km) from centre), then hike
Start at 5:00; bring 3 L of water, warm layers, GPS.Start at 5:00 AM; bring 3 L of water, warm layers, GPS.
Cachoeira Marambaia
goDoor to door: 1 h
Car, about 5 km (3.1 mi) from centre on unpaved roadCar, about 3.1 mi (5 km) from centre on unpaved road
Swimming possible; check access.
Cachoeira Três Quedas
goDoor to door: 1.5 h
Car, about 8 km (5 mi) from centreCar, about 5 mi (8 km) from centre
Three-tiered waterfall; trail may be slippery.
São José dos Campos
goDoor to door: 1.5 h
BR-116 south, about 1 h 15 min
Larger city with museums, shopping, and airport.
Resende
goDoor to door: 45 min
BR-116 north, about 30 min
Gateway to Itatiaia National Park.
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.
Queluz centre
A few pousadas; limited options, mostly for hikers
São José dos Campos
Better accommodation 1 h 15 min away; day-trip from there
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$ 80–120 (≈ US$15–25) excl. bed
- Mid
- R$ 150–250 (≈ US$30–50) excl. bed
- High
- R$ 300 (≈ US$60)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Pousada double room1 × 1 night × R$120 | R$120 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × R$80 | R$160 |
| Guide for Pedra da Mina (per person, group of 4)2 × R$150 · check | R$300 |
| Fuel from São José dos Campos (round trip)1 × R$80 | R$80 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | R$66 |
| Trip total≈ R$363 per person per day, bed included | R$726≈ US$140 |
2026 estimate in BRL; car rental and fuel excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Lunch (prato feito) | R$ 25–40 (≈ US$5–8) |
| Beer (600 ml) | R$ 8–12 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Bottle of water (1.5 L) | R$ 5–8 (≈ US$1–2) |
| Fuel (1 L) | R$ 6.50 (≈ US$2) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Pedra da Mina is a serious hike: 8–10 h round trip, altitude 2,798 m, start before dawn.
- Waterfall access may be on private land; ask locally or hire a guide.
- No ATM in Queluz; bring cash from São José dos Campos or Resende.
- Cell signal is patchy on the trails.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 190
- Ambulance
- 192
- Fire
- 193
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
QueluzQueluz
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Para este endereço, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police190
- Ambulance192
- Fire193
Embassy
The US has a consulate in São Paulo; most other countries have embassies in Brasília.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- São José dos Campos → Queluz (car): about 1 h 15 min, R$ 40 (≈ US$8) fuel (check)
- Resende → Queluz (car): about 30 min, R$ 15 (≈ US$3) fuel (check)
Say or show
- Olá — Hello (oh-LAH)
- Obrigado — Thank you (oh-bree-GAH-doo)
- Quanto custa? — How much is it? (KWAN-too KOOS-tah)
- Onde fica a trilha? — Where is the trail? (OHN-jee FEE-kah ah TREE-lyah)
- Aceita cartão? — Can I pay by card? (ah-SAY-tah car-TAH-oo)
No ATM in Queluz; bring cash.
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 Queluz. 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 (dry season for hiking) · avoid Dec–Feb (rainy, trails muddy) · 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
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for Pedra da Mina, Cachoeira Marambaia, Igreja Matriz de São João Batista.
- Hiking guide contacts and trail conditions.
- Pousada listings with contact details.
Sources
Ask about Queluz
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