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Voykit pocket guide · Brazil
São Jorge
São Jorge is the gateway to Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park: base yourself here for 2–3 nights to hike the park, visit Moon Valley and relax.
São Jorge is a small village in Goiás, Brazil, that serves as the main entrance to Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park. It's a laid-back base for hiking, swimming in natural pools and exploring the park's waterfalls and canyons. Most visitors stay 2–3 nights.
- Country
- Brazil
- Best months
- May–September (dry season, best for hiking)
- Avoid
- December–March (rainy season, trails may be muddy or closed)
- Stay
- 2–3 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- BRL
- Money
- Currency is the Brazilian real (BRL, R$). About R$5–5.8 per US dollar in 2026 — check. Cards and tap-to-pay are accepted almost everywhere, even at beach kiosks.
- Daily spend
- Budget R$100–150 excl. bed · Mid R$200–350 excl. bed · High R$400+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Vivo, Claro and TIM cover the country; buying a prepaid SIM needs a passport and sometimes a CPF — an eSIM before you fly is easier.
- Emergency
- Police 190 · Ambulance 192 · Fire 193
- Plugs
- Types N, C · 127 V (Rio, São Paulo) or 220 V (Brasília, much of the Northeast) · Check the voltage on the socket; most chargers are dual-voltage.
- Tipping
- Restaurant: 10% service (serviço) usually on the bill; optional but normal.; Beach kiosk / bar: Often included; round up.; Taxi / Uber: Not expected; round up.; Guide: US$5–15 per person per day.; Hotel staff: Small tip for porters.
- Water
- Do not drink tap water; filtered water is provided in most homes and hotels.
- Toilets
- Put toilet paper in the bin, not the toilet, in most places.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Home-cooked meal (Nenzinha) | R$25–40 |
| Pizza or crepe (Papalua) | R$30–50 |
| Craft beer | R$10–18 |
| Taxi Alto Paraíso → São Jorge | R$60 |
| Park entry fee (per day) | R$30 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- BSB · Brasília–Presidente Juscelino Kubitschek
- About 270 km (168 mi); bus to Alto Paraíso then taxi/hitchhike to São JorgeAbout 168 mi (270 km); bus to Alto Paraíso then taxi/hitchhike to São Jorge
Typical fares
- Taxi Alto Paraíso → São Jorge
- about R$60, 36 km (22 mi)about R$60, 22 mi (36 km)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
The village is walkable, preferably barefoot. No public transport; taxis from Alto Paraíso cost about R$60. The nearest petrol station is in Alto Paraíso.
See and do
Known for
- Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park entrance
- Moon Valley (Vale da Lua)
- Art brut murals by Moacir Faria
- Yoga and massage retreats
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park | On foot from the village; some trails require a guide | 5 min walk to park entrance |
| Moon Valley (Vale da Lua) | 20-minute walk from São Jorge | 40 min round trip |
| Alto Paraíso de Goiás | Taxi (R$60) or hitchhike, 36 km (22 mi)Taxi (R$60) or hitchhike, 22 mi (36 km) | About 40 min |
| Cavalcante | Taxi or tour, 123 km (76 mi)Taxi or tour, 76 mi (123 km) | About 2 h |
Sleep
- Village centre
- Pousadas and camping within walking distance of the park entrance and restaurants.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello / Good day | Bom diabohm DEE-ah |
| Thank you | Obrigadooh-bree-GAH-doo |
| How much is it? | Quanto custa?KWAN-toh KOOS-tah |
| Where is the toilet? | Onde fica o banheiro?OHN-deh FEE-kah oo bah-NYAY-roo |
| I don't understand | Não entendonow ehn-TEN-doo |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake, hug or cheek kiss (one in São Paulo, two in Rio); avoid: Being stiff with new acquaintances
- Gestures: Use thumbs-up freely; avoid: The OK hand sign (it is rude)
- Language: Try Portuguese; say obrigado/obrigada; avoid: Defaulting to Spanish
- Time: Expect relaxed social punctuality; avoid: Being late for tours and flights
- Beach: Bring only a towel, cash and a copy of your ID; avoid: Leaving things unattended
Scams and watch-outs
- No ATM in the village; bring cash from Alto Paraíso or Brasília.
- Cell signal is good (Vivo, Claro, Oi); most pousadas have WiFi.
- Park entry requires a guide for some trails; book ahead in high season.
São Jorge is generally safe, but watch for uneven trails, sun exposure and limited medical facilities. Carry cash and a first-aid kit.
One and two days
No timed day plan for São Jorge yet. Suggested stay: 2–3 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park entrance
- Moon Valley (Vale da Lua)
- Art brut murals by Moacir Faria
- Yoga and massage retreats
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: São Jorge, revision 4976056 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=4976056
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/sao-jorge). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.