National park · Brazil
Serra da Bocaina National ParkParque Nacional da Serra da Bocaina
Base in São José do Barreiro and walk the Cachoeira das Posses loop in the morning; treat the 73 km (45 mi) Trilha do Ouro to Angra dos Reis as a 3-day guided trek, not a day hike. Go Apr–Sep for dry trails.Base in São José do Barreiro and walk the Cachoeira das Posses loop in the morning; treat the 45 mi (73 km) Trilha do Ouro to Angra dos Reis as a 3-day guided trek, not a day hike. Go Apr–Sep for dry trails.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1,040 km² (402 sq mi)402 sq mi (1,040 km²)
approximate
Established
1971
Best months
Apr–Aug
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 9Above 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.
- Southeast Brazil ↗Cards and Pix are accepted almost everywhere; carry a small amount of cash for buses and small stalls.
- Southeast Brazil ↗Avoid driving at night outside cities; intercity buses are the safer option for overnight legs.
At a glance
- Country
- Brazil
- Area
- 1,040 km² (402 sq mi)402 sq mi (1,040 km²)
- Roughly 1,040 km² of Atlantic Forest along the São Paulo–Rio de Janeiro state line; boundary figures vary by source (check).
- Established
- 1971
- Best months
- Apr–Aug
- Permits
- For some areas
Serra da Bocaina National Park protects the largest continuous block of Atlantic Forest in the Serra do Mar, on the São Paulo–Rio de Janeiro state line above the Paraíba valley. Most visitors come from São José do Barreiro, 27 km from the park area, for waterfall walks and the climb to Pico do Tira o Chapéu. The Trilha do Ouro, a colonial gold road, still runs about 73 km down through the forest to the coast at Angra dos Reis and takes three guided days. Entry is free at some gates and charged at others, so confirm at the ICMBio office before driving in. The dry winter, April to September, gives firm trails and clear ridges; December to March brings mud, fast-rising rivers and afternoon storms.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 1999Part of the Atlantic Forest South-East Reserves serial World Heritage site (check).
Size and age
1,040 km² (402 sq mi)402 sq mi (1,040 km²) · national park since 1971
Roughly 1,040 km² of Atlantic Forest along the São Paulo–Rio de Janeiro state line; boundary figures vary by source (check).
Why go
- The largest continuous block of Atlantic Forest inside the Serra do Mar, with palms, bromeliads and cedar above 1,500 m.
- Waterfalls reached on foot from the São José do Barreiro side, without a boat or a 4WD.
- The Trilha do Ouro, a colonial gold road that still runs 73 km (45 mi) down to the coast at Angra dos Reis.The Trilha do Ouro, a colonial gold road that still runs 45 mi (73 km) down to the coast at Angra dos Reis.
- Cool highland nights and clear winter mornings, a contrast to the coast 1,000 m below.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepGo
- OctGo
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanWet season; trails muddy, storms most afternoons
- FebWet; waterfalls full, paths slick
- MarRain easing; green and quiet
- AprDry, mild, clear ridges
- MayDry and cool; best walking
- JunCold nights, clear days
- JulPeak dry season; coldest mornings
- AugDry, windy, good visibility
- SepStill dry; dust and wind
- OctFirst rains return; warm
- NovWet again; leeches on low trails
- DecHeavy rain; holiday crowds in the villages
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer and small mammals in the forestApr–Sep · Most often seen at dawn on quiet trails. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Hummingbirds, tanagers and mixed flocksApr–Oct | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Bromeliads and tree ferns in flowerOct–Jan | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Leeches and mosquitoes on low, wet trailsNov–Mar | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From São Paulo
Bus to São José do Barreiro via Cruzeiro or Queluz, then taxi or your own car 27 km (17 mi) to the park area.Bus to São José do Barreiro via Cruzeiro or Queluz, then taxi or your own car 17 mi (27 km) to the park area.
4–5 h
Open the page →
From Rio de Janeiro
Bus along the Rio–São Paulo corridor to Resende or Barra Mansa, then a local bus or taxi up to São José do Barreiro.
4–6 h
Open the page →
From Paraty
Road via Cunha or the coast road to São José do Barreiro; no direct public transport, so a car or a transfer is needed.
3–4 h
Open the page →
From Southeast Brazil
Where the park sits in the region and what else pairs with it.
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| São José do Barreiro side | The main visitor area: ICMBio office, waterfalls, the start of the Trilha do Ouro. | Open with registration; road access. |
| High plateau above 1,500 m | Cedar, pine and open grassland with long views to the Paraíba valley. | On foot or 4WD; cold and windy. |
| Trilha do Ouro corridor | The old gold road descending through forest to the coast. | Guided only; multi-day. |
| Mambucaba and coast end | The river valley and village where the crossing meets the Rio–Santos road. | Open; road access. |
Sketch map
- 1São José do Barreiro · Town≈-22.645, -44.578Map ↗
- 2ICMBio park office, São José do Barreiro · Headquarters≈-22.645, -44.578Approximate; registration point for the park.Map ↗
- 3Cachoeira das Posses · Trail≈-22.750, -44.620Approximate.Map ↗
- 4Cachoeira de Santo Isidro · Trail≈-22.780, -44.640Approximate.Map ↗
- 5Pico do Tira o Chapéu · Summit≈-22.900, -44.650Approximate.Map ↗
- 6Mambucaba · Village≈-23.020, -44.530Approximate; coast end of the crossing.Map ↗
Take the points offline
6 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Park centre from Wikidata; trail and waterfall points are approximate, for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (São José do Barreiro side) | BRL 0–40 (≈ US$0–8) | person | 2026 estimate; ICMBio charges at some gates and not others — confirm at the visitor centre before you drive in (check). |
| Guided Trilha do Ouro crossing | BRL 900–1,800 (≈ US$170–350) | person | 2026 estimate; 3 days with a local guide, food and a boat or road transfer at the coast end. |
| Camping inside the park | BRL 20–50 (≈ US$4–10) | person per night | 2026 estimate; only at designated sites (check). |
| Pousada double room, São José do Barreiro | BRL 150–350 (≈ US$30–65) | room per night | 2026 estimate; higher on winter weekends and holidays. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Trilha do Ouro (multi-day) permit or guide
Camping permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- R$900–1,800≈ US$170–350
- R$20–50≈ US$4–10
- R$150–350≈ US$30–65
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on ICMBio — Parque Nacional da Serra da Bocaina before you go.
Park rules
- Guides
- Required for the Trilha do Ouro and for any route crossing private land; day trails from the visitor area are signed.
- Camping
- Only at designated sites, declared at registration; no fires outside marked rings.
- Waterfalls
- No jumping or diving into pools; rock is slippery and depth varies after rain.
- Drones
- Not allowed without ICMBio permission (check).check
- Litter and wildlife
- Carry out all rubbish; do not feed or handle animals.
Where to stay
Near the park
São José do Barreiro guesthouses
The practical base, 27 km (17 mi) from the park area; simple pousadas and farm stays.The practical base, 17 mi (27 km) from the park area; simple pousadas and farm stays.
Near the park
Pousadas and farm stays on the park edge
A few rural inns within a few kilometres of the gate, some with horse riding and camping.
In the park
Villages along the Trilha do Ouro
Basic rooms and meals on the crossing, arranged with your guide.
Safety
Getting lost on the Trilha do Ouro high
Flash floods at waterfalls medium
Cold and wind on the plateau medium
Remote roads low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The ICMBio office and the road-side viewpoints near São José do Barreiro are reachable by car with short, level walks.
- The waterfall trails and the Trilha do Ouro are rough, steep in places and not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Hire guides from São José do Barreiro so the park's neighbours earn from keeping the forest standing.
- Pack out everything; Atlantic Forest streams feed towns below the park.
- Keep groups small on the Trilha do Ouro to limit erosion on the old road.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Serra da Bocaina National Park?
Entry is free at some gates and around R$40 per person at others (2026 estimate) — ICMBio does not charge uniformly, so confirm at the São José do Barreiro office before you drive in. Budget separately for a guide if you walk the Trilha do Ouro.
What are the best hikes in Serra da Bocaina National Park?
For a day: Cachoeira das Posses (2–3 h, easy) and Cachoeira de Santo Isidro (3–4 h, moderate). For a challenge: Pico do Tira o Chapéu (4–6 h, hard). The Trilha do Ouro is a 73 km, 3-day guided crossing to Angra dos Reis, not a day hike.
When is the best time to visit Serra da Bocaina National Park?
April to September, the dry winter, for firm trails and clear ridges. December to March is the wet season: waterfalls are at their best but paths are muddy, rivers rise fast and afternoon storms are common.
Do I need a guide in Serra da Bocaina?
Not for the signed day trails from the São José do Barreiro side. Yes for the Trilha do Ouro and any route crossing private land — book a registered guide in the village.
Can I camp in the park?
Only at designated sites, and you must declare the nights when you register. Wild camping is not allowed; many walkers instead sleep in pousadas in São José do Barreiro or in villages along the crossing.
How do I get to Serra da Bocaina without a car?
Bus to São José do Barreiro from São Paulo or via Resende and Barra Mansa from Rio, then a taxi for the last 27 km to the park area. There is no direct public transport from Paraty.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go