Major city · Brazil
Varre-Sai
Half-day stop for Caparaó National Park access and hang-gliding from 3M mountain; one night if you hike or fly, otherwise pass through.
Varre-Sai is a small town in northwest Rio de Janeiro state, population about 9,500, and the practical gateway to Caparaó National Park, which sits across the state lines in Espírito Santo and Minas Gerais. Hang-gliding launches from the 3M mountain, with more than 600 m of drop to the neighbouring towns. In town there are two hills with views, Malacacheta at 1,020 m and Pirozzi at 970 m, and the Igreja de São Sebastião, built in 1920 at the town entrance, which collapsed in February 2020. The July Wine Festival marks the area's Italian heritage, and jabuticaba wine is the local drink. Most travellers pass through between Itaperuna and Bom Jesus do Itabapoana, or sleep one night before a park day.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- BRL
- Best months
- Apr–Oct (dry, cooler)
- avoid Dec–Feb (rainy, hot)
- Airport
- Itaperuna (ITP)
- Nights
- 1
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$81 — check) applied for online at the official VFS portal before travel; EU and UK citizens do not. Check your passport with Brazil's Ministry of Foreign Affairs before booking.
- Brazil ↗Yellow fever vaccination is recommended for many areas, including the Amazon and Pantanal; check with a travel clinic at least 10 days before travel.
- Brazil ↗Keep your phone out of sight in the street and on beaches; phone theft is the most common crime against visitors in big cities.
- Brazil ↗Carnival 2027 runs about 5–10 February (Tuesday 9 February; Salvador from 4 February): book Rio, Salvador and Recife/Olinda months ahead or avoid those dates.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Varre-Sai190 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Varre-Sai, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Brazilian real (BRL, R$).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
- SafetyVarre-Sai is a quiet rural town with low crime.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPut toilet paper in the bin, not the toilet, in most places.Brazil-wide
- Emergency numbers190 police · 192 ambulance · 193 fire (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.
- AirportcheckITP Itaperuna airport (Small field with no scheduled flights confirmed; check before booking.
- Getting aroundWalk the centre; you need a car or taxi for Caparaó National Park and the hang-gliding launch.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeR$4–8 (≈ US$1–2)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)5 km (3.1 mi) taxi3.1 mi (5 km) taxiR$25–40 (≈ US$5–8)
- Museum or sight ticketCaparaó National Park entryR$25–40 (≈ US$5–8)
- Budget bedPousada double room, a night, per roomR$120 (≈ US$25)
- Mid-range bedPousada double room, a night, per roomR$200 (≈ US$40)
- High-end bedPousada double room, a night, per roomR$350 (≈ US$65)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget R$100 (≈ US$19) · Mid R$250 (≈ US$50) · High R$400 (≈ US$75)
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
- ITP Itaperuna airport (Small field with no scheduled flights confirmed; check before booking. Most travellers fly into Rio de Janeiro (GIG/SDU) and drive about 4 h.)
Map of Varre-Sai
Where it is, and the guides within about 120 km.
- Varre-Sai
- Basic guide
Directions in Google Maps · Apple Maps
Guides nearby
- Bom Jesus do Itabapoana · 30 km straight line
- Itaperuna · 31 km straight line
- Cachoeiro de Itapemirim · 79 km straight line
- Castelo · 80 km straight line
- Rio Novo do Sul · 97 km straight line
- Venda Nova do Imigrante · 101 km straight line
- Viçosa · 107 km straight line
- Campos dos Goytacazes · 108 km straight line
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Mar
not flagged
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Apr
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
May
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Jun
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jul
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Aug
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Sep
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Oct
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Nov
not flagged
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Dec
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Best: Apr–Oct. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)), coolest Jun (14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C) low), wettest Jan (14 rain days), driest Jun (4). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Varre-Sai: 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
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
14 rd
Feb
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
11 rd
Mar
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
12 rd
Apr
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8 rd
May
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
6 rd
Jun
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
4 rd
Jul
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
4 rd
Aug
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
4 rd
Sep
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
6 rd
Oct
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9 rd
Nov
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
12 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
14 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
Walk the centre; you need a car or taxi for Caparaó National Park and the hang-gliding launch.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Itaperuna
goDoor to door: About 30 min
RJ-198, about 30 min by car
Larger town with more services and a bus station.
Door to door: About 25 min
RJ-214, about 25 min by car
Smaller town on the border with Espírito Santo.
Caparaó National Park
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Car via RJ-198 and ES-185, about 40 min to the park entrance
Park entry fee applies; check hours and trail conditions.
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.
Town centre
A few pousadas; Pousada Chalés Sítio Velho Moinho sits on the Varre-Sai/Pirozzi road, about 3 km (1.9 mi) out.A few pousadas; Pousada Chalés Sítio Velho Moinho sits on the Varre-Sai/Pirozzi road, about 1.9 mi (3 km) out.
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$100–150 (≈ US$19–30) excl. bed
- Mid
- R$200–350 (≈ US$40–65) excl. bed
- High
- R$400 (≈ US$75)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Pousada double room1 × 1 night × R$200 | R$200 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × R$250 | R$500 |
| Car rental per day (economy)1 × R$150 | R$150 |
| Caparaó National Park entry2 × R$30 | R$60 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | R$91 |
| Trip total≈ R$501 per person per day, bed included | R$1,001≈ US$190 |
2026 estimate in BRL; flights and car rental excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | R$4–8 (≈ US$1–2) |
| Lunch (prato feito) | R$20–35 (≈ US$4–7) |
| Jabuticaba wine (bottle) | R$25–50 (≈ US$5–10) |
| 5 km taxi | R$25–40 (≈ US$5–8) |
| Caparaó National Park entry | R$25–40 (≈ US$5–8) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The Igreja de São Sebastião collapsed in February 2020 — keep away from the ruins.
- Caparaó National Park is across state lines in Espírito Santo and Minas Gerais; check park entry rules and hours before driving.
- Hang-gliding depends on weather; ask at the pousada or a local guide.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 190
- Ambulance
- 192
- Fire
- 193
Pocket card
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Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Varre-SaiVarre-Sai
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Para este endereço, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police190
- Ambulance192
- Fire193
Embassy
No consulate in Varre-Sai. The nearest major consulates are in Rio de Janeiro, about 4 h by car.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Itaperuna → Varre-Sai by car: about 30 min on RJ-198
- Varre-Sai → Caparaó park entrance: about 40 min by car
Say or show
- Olá — Hello (oh-LAH)
- Obrigado — Thank you (oh-bree-GAH-doo)
- Quanto? — How much? (KWAN-too)
- Onde fica o parque? — Where is the park? (ON-deh FEE-kah oo PAR-kee)
- Tem quarto? — Do you have a room? (teng KWAR-too)
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 Varre-Sai. 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: Apr–Oct (dry, cooler) · avoid Dec–Feb (rainy, hot) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for Caparaó National Park, Igreja de São Sebastião (ruins), Malacacheta Hill, Pirozzi Hill and the 3M hang-gliding launch.
- Eat pages with last orders for the few restaurants in town.
- Golden and hostile arrival fixtures for RJ-198 and RJ-214.
Sources
Ask about Varre-Sai
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