Major city · Brazil
Vacaria
Skip Vacaria unless you're driving BR-116 between Caxias do Sul and Lages: half a day for the Niemeyer building and the waterfalls, then move on.
Vacaria is a mid-size cattle and apple town on the high plains of Rio Grande do Sul, best known for Oscar Niemeyer's only building in the state and a small waterfall park. Most travellers pass through on the BR-116 highway between Caxias do Sul (1 h) and Lages (1.5 h). The town itself is quiet, with a few local restaurants and basic services, but no major sights that justify a detour.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- BRL
- Best months
- Oct–Apr (mild weather)
- avoid Jun–Aug (cold, frost)
- Airports
- CXJ · POA
- 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$81 — check) applied for online at the official VFS portal before travel; EU and UK citizens do not. Check your passport with Brazil's Ministry of Foreign Affairs before booking.
- Brazil ↗Yellow fever vaccination is recommended for many areas, including the Amazon and Pantanal; check with a travel clinic at least 10 days before travel.
- Brazil ↗Keep your phone out of sight in the street and on beaches; phone theft is the most common crime against visitors in big cities.
- Brazil ↗Carnival 2027 runs about 5–10 February (Tuesday 9 February; Salvador from 4 February): book Rio, Salvador and Recife/Olinda months ahead or avoid those dates.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Vacaria190 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Vacaria, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Brazilian real (BRL, R$).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
- SafetyVacaria is a safe small town.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPut toilet paper in the bin, not the toilet, in most places.Brazil-wide
- Emergency numbers190 police · 193 fire and ambulance (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.
- AirportCXJ Caxias do Sul Airport (About 1 h by car; limited flights from São Paulo and Campinas).
- Getting aroundVacaria is walkable in the centre.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee (cafézinho)R$5–8 (≈ US$1–2)
- Sit-down mealLunch at a per-kilo restaurantR$25–40 (≈ US$5–8)
- BeerBeer (longneck)R$6–10 (≈ US$2)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi within townR$15–25 (≈ US$3–5)
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personR$50 (≈ US$10)
- Mid-range bedDouble room in pousada, a night, per roomR$200 (≈ US$40)
- High-end bedDouble room in pousada, 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
- CXJ Caxias do Sul Airport (About 1 h by car; limited flights from São Paulo and Campinas) · POA Salgado Filho Porto Alegre (About 3 h by car; major hub)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Feb
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Mar
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Apr
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
May
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Jun
Avoid
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Jul
Avoid
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Aug
Avoid
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Sep
not flagged
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Oct
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Nov
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Dec
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Best: Oct–Apr. Avoid: Jun–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)), coolest Jun (7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C) low), wettest Jan (13 rain days), driest Apr (8). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Vacaria: 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)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
13 rd
Feb
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
12 rd
Mar
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
10 rd
Apr
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
8 rd
May
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
8 rd
Jun
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
9 rd
Jul
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
9 rd
Aug
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
8 rd
Sep
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
10 rd
Oct
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
11 rd
Nov
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
10 rd
Dec
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
12 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
Vacaria is walkable in the centre. For Parque das Cachoeiras you need a car or taxi (about 10 min).
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 1 h
Car via BR-116, about 1 h
Wine region, larger city with more attractions.
Door to door: 1.5 h
Car via BR-116 and RS-444, about 1.5 h
Wine tourism, Italian heritage.
São Marcos
goDoor to door: 30 min
Car via BR-116, about 30 min
Small town with a waterfall and hiking.
Lages
cautionDoor to door: 1.5 h
Car via BR-116, about 1.5 h
Larger city in Santa Catarina; Serra Catarinense attractions.
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.
Centro (downtown)
Near the main square and Casa do Povo; most hotels and pousadas are here.
BR-116 roadside
Motels and truck-stop hotels along the highway; convenient for a night drive, but noisy.
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$80–150 (≈ US$15–30) excl. bed
- Mid
- R$150–300 (≈ US$30–60) excl. bed
- High
- R$300 (≈ US$60)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room in pousada1 × 1 night × R$200 | R$200 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × R$150 | R$300 |
| Taxi from centre to Parque das Cachoeiras (round trip)1 × R$40 · check | R$40 |
| Meal at a churrascaria2 × R$50 | R$100 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | R$64 |
| Trip total≈ R$352 per person per day, bed included | R$704≈ US$140 |
2026 estimate in reais; flights excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee (cafézinho) | R$5–8 (≈ US$1–2) |
| Beer (longneck) | R$6–10 (≈ US$2) |
| Lunch at a per-kilo restaurant | R$25–40 (≈ US$5–8) |
| Churrascaria (rodízio) | R$50–80 (≈ US$10–15) |
| Taxi within town | R$15–25 (≈ US$3–5) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Casa do Povo is not always open to the public: check with the tourist office.
- Parque das Cachoeiras may close after heavy rain.
- BR-116 can be foggy at night; drive carefully.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 190
- Fire and ambulance
- 193
Pocket card
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VacariaVacaria
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Para este endereço, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police190
- Fire and ambulance193
Embassy
The US consulate in Porto Alegre is about 3 h away; most other countries have embassies in Brasília.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Caxias do Sul → Vacaria by bus: about R$25–35 (≈ US$5–7), 1 h (check)
- Taxi from centre to Parque das Cachoeiras: R$20–30 (≈ US$4–6) one way
Say or show
- Bom dia — Hello / Good morning (bohm DEE-ah)
- Obrigado — Thank you (oh-bree-GAH-doo)
- Quanto custa? — How much is it? (KWAHN-too KOOS-tah)
- Onde fica o banheiro? — Where is the bathroom? (OHN-dee FEE-kah oo bah-NYAY-roo)
- Posso pagar com cartão? — Can I pay by card? (POH-soo pah-GAHR kohm kahr-TOWN)
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 Vacaria. 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: Oct–Apr (mild weather) · avoid Jun–Aug (cold, frost) · 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
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place page for Casa do Povo with verified opening hours.
- Place page for Parque das Cachoeiras with trail conditions.
- Eat page for local apple-based dishes and churrascarias.
- Transfer page for BR-116 bus stops and schedules.
Sources
Ask about Vacaria
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