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Voykit pocket guide · Brazil
Torres
Go for 1–2 nights if you want a quiet beach town with basalt cliffs and lagoons; skip if you need nightlife or big-city infrastructure.
Torres is a small coastal town in Rio Grande do Sul, known for its three distinctive basalt towers (Torres) that rise from the beach, calm lagoons and a laid-back atmosphere. It's a weekend destination for Porto Alegre residents and a stop on the BR-101 between the capital and Santa Catarina. The town has a handful of historic buildings, a small museum and several beaches, but the main draw is the landscape: the cliffs, the Guarita State Park and the Mampituba River. One night is enough to see the highlights; two if you want a full beach day.
- Country
- Brazil
- Best months
- Nov–Mar (summer, beach weather)
- Avoid
- Jun–Aug (cold, rainy, many establishments close)
- Stay
- 1–2 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$5–15 per person per day.; Hotel staff: Small tip for porters.
- Water
- Do not drink tap water; filtered water is provided in most homes and hotels.
- Toilets
- Put toilet paper in the bin, not the toilet, in most places.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee (cafézinho) | R$ 5–8 |
| Beer (long neck) | R$ 6–10 |
| Seafood dish (moqueca or fried fish) | R$ 35–60 |
| Bus from Porto Alegre (one way) | R$ 45–60 (check) |
| Taxi from centre to Guarita Park | R$ 20–30 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- POA · Salgado Filho International Airport (Porto Alegre)
- About 2 h 15 min by car or bus; nearest major airport.
Typical fares
- Bus from Porto Alegre to Torres
- about R$ 50, 2 h 15 min (check)
- Taxi from bus station to Praia Grande
- R$ 20–30
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
Torres is walkable in the centre and along the beachfront. For Guarita State Park or the towers, a taxi or bike is useful. Buses run along the main avenues but are infrequent.
See and do
Known for
- Basalt towers (Torres) on the beach
- Guarita State Park
- Praia Grande and Praia da Guarita
- Mampituba River lagoon
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Porto Alegre | Bus (express) or car via BR-101 | About 2 h 15 min |
| Gramado | Car via RS-020 and RS-235, about 2 h | About 2 h |
| Canela | Car via RS-020 and RS-235, about 2 h | About 2 h |
Sleep
- Centro (town centre)
- Close to shops, restaurants and the bus station; a short walk to the beaches.
- Praia Grande / Guarita area
- Closer to the main beaches and the park; quieter at night.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello / Good day | Bom diabohm DEE-ah |
| Thank you | Obrigado / Obrigadaoh-bree-GAH-doo / oh-bree-GAH-dah |
| How much is it? | Quanto custa?KWAN-toh KOOS-tah |
| Where is the beach? | Onde fica a praia?OHN-dee FEE-kah ah PRAI-ah |
| Can I pay by card? | Posso pagar com cartão?POH-soh pah-GAR kohm kar-TAOW |
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
- Summer weekends (Jan–Feb) get crowded; book accommodation ahead.
- The towers are steep and slippery; wear sturdy shoes if you climb.
- Rip currents at the beaches: swim near lifeguard posts.
- Many shops and restaurants close in the low season (Jun–Aug).
Torres is generally safe for a small beach town. Watch your belongings on crowded beaches and avoid walking alone on deserted stretches after dark.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Torres yet. Suggested stay: 1–2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Basalt towers (Torres) on the beach
- Guarita State Park
- Praia Grande and Praia da Guarita
- Mampituba River lagoon
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: Torres, revision 3518502 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=3518502
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/torres). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.