In the print dialog pick “Save as PDF” to keep it on your phone. A5 makes a pocket booklet; A4 suits a desk printer.
Voykit pocket guide · 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.
- Country
- Brazil
- Best months
- Apr–Oct (dry, cooler)
- Avoid
- Dec–Feb (rainy, hot)
- Stay
- 1 night
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 | R$4–8 |
| Lunch (prato feito) | R$20–35 |
| Jabuticaba wine (bottle) | R$25–50 |
| 5 km (3.1 mi) taxi3.1 mi (5 km) taxi | R$25–40 |
| Caparaó National Park entry | R$25–40 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- 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.
Typical fares
- Itaperuna → Varre-Sai by car
- about 30 min on RJ-198
- Varre-Sai → Caparaó park entrance
- about 40 min by car
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
Walk the centre; you need a car or taxi for Caparaó National Park and the hang-gliding launch.
See and do
Known for
- Caparaó National Park access
- Hang-gliding from 3M mountain
- Jabuticaba wine
- Wine Festival (July)
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Itaperuna | RJ-198, about 30 min by car | About 30 min |
| Bom Jesus do Itabapoana | RJ-214, about 25 min by car | About 25 min |
| Caparaó National Park | Car via RJ-198 and ES-185, about 40 min to the park entrance | About 1 h |
Sleep
- 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.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | Oláoh-LAH |
| Thank you | Obrigadooh-bree-GAH-doo |
| How much? | Quanto?KWAN-too |
| Where is the park? | Onde fica o parque?ON-deh FEE-kah oo PAR-kee |
| Do you have a room? | Tem quarto?teng KWAR-too |
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
- 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.
Varre-Sai is a quiet rural town with low crime. The main risks are driving on unlit roads at night and the collapsed church ruins — keep away.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Varre-Sai yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Caparaó National Park access
- Hang-gliding from 3M mountain
- Jabuticaba wine
- Wine Festival (July)
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: Varre-Sai, revision 5332718 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5332718
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/varre-sai). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.