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Back to São Mateus

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Voykit pocket guide · Brazil

São Mateus

Half-day stop on the BR-101 between Vitória and southern Bahia: see the colonial churches and Guriri Island, then move on. One night if you want beach time.

São Mateus is a historic river town in northern Espírito Santo, with a compact colonial centre (Igreja Matriz, Igreja de São Benedito, Igreja Velha ruins) and the long Guriri Island beach 10 km east. Most travellers pass through on the BR-101; the town itself rewards a few hours, not a full day.

AbadiâniaAçailândiaAfonso CláudioÁguas de LindóiaÁguas de São PedroAlagoinhasAlcântaraAlter do ChãoAlto Paraíso de GoiásAmparoAngra dos ReisAntoninaAparecidaAquirazSão Mateus1,000 kmdots: other places in this guide
Sketch, not to navigate by: shapes follow this guide’s areas and places, not official boundaries. North is up.
Country
Brazil
Best months
Apr–Oct
Avoid
Dec–Feb (crowded on Guriri), Nov–Mar (rainy)
Stay
0–1 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$5–5.8 per US dollar in 2026 — check. Cards and tap-to-pay are accepted almost everywhere, even at beach kiosks.
Daily spend
Budget R$ 80–150 excl. bed · Mid R$ 150–300 excl. bed · High R$ 300+ 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

ItemPrice
Coffee (cafezinho)R$ 4–7
Moqueca capixaba (one person)R$ 40–70
Beer (garrafa 600 ml)R$ 8–15
Taxi Centro → GuririR$ 30–50
Bus Vitória → São MateusR$ 40–60

Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.

Get in

By air

VIX · Eurico de Aguiar Salles Airport (Vitória)
Bus or car via BR-101, about 2 h 30 min

Typical fares

Taxi Centro → Guriri
R$ 30–50 (check)
Bus Vitória → São Mateus
R$ 40–60, about 2 h 30 min (check)
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

Town centre is walkable. To reach Guriri Island or Barra Nova Beach you need a car or taxi (about R$ 30–50 one way).

See and do

Known for

  • Igreja Matriz (1764)
  • Igreja Velha ruins
  • Guriri Island beaches
  • Sacred art museum

Day trips

WhereHowTime
Conceição da BarraCar via ES-422, about 25 min30 min
ItaúnasCar via BR-101 and ES-010, about 1 h1 h 15 min
LinharesCar via BR-101 south, about 50 min1 h

Sleep

Centro
Near the historic churches and restaurants; basic pousadas.
Guriri Island
Beachfront inns and summer houses; 10–15 min drive from town.

Phrase card

EnglishSay or show
Hello / Good morningBom diabohm DEE-ah
Thank youObrigadooh-bree-GAH-doo
How much does it cost?Quanto custa?KWAN-toh KOOS-tah
Where is the beach?Onde fica a praia?OHN-deh FEE-kah ah PRAI-ah
I would like…Eu gostaria de…eh-oo goh-stah-REE-ah deh

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

  • Guriri Island gets packed on summer weekends and holidays.
  • Igreja Velha ruins are open-air; no shade, go early.
  • BR-101 traffic can be heavy; allow extra time if driving north or south.

São Mateus is generally safe in the centre during the day. Avoid walking alone at night on Guriri Island beaches. Keep valuables out of sight in parked cars.

One and two days

No timed day plan for São Mateus yet. Suggested stay: 0–1 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.

  • Igreja Matriz (1764)
  • Igreja Velha ruins
  • Guriri Island beaches
  • Sacred art museum

Sources

Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.

Pocket card

Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.

São Mateus

Para este endereço, por favor

To this address, please

My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)

Portuguese only; English not widely spoken.

Voykit · checked 2026-09

Printed from Voykit (/sao-mateus). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.