tourist center · Campos do Jordão, SP
Vila Capivari
A central neighborhood with Alpine-inspired architecture packed with chocolate shops, restaurants, stores and the town's nightlife. In winter the streets fill with people in coats and the smell of fondue and mulled wine.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Vila Capivari
Vila Capivari is the most visited neighborhood in Campos do Jordão, in the Serra da Mantiqueira. It is the hub of the town's tourist life: houses and buildings with Alpine-inspired facades and roofs, in Swiss and German style, streets full of cafés and shops and lots of bustle on cold nights.
The heart of the neighborhood is the Praça do Capivari, also called Praça São Benedito, bordered by Djalma Forjaz and Diogo José de Carvalho streets and Avenida Macedo Soares. It has plane trees, pines, flowerbeds, wide sidewalks and a street thermometer that becomes a photo spot on freezing days.
Next to the square is the Parque Capivari, covering about 40,000 square meters, with gardens and a lake with pedal boats. Entry to the park is free; only the attractions are paid. The chairlift to Morro do Elefante leaves from there, the first chairlift in Brazil, opened in 1970.
The park is also home to the Estação Emílio Ribas, the starting point of the streetcar on the Estrada de Ferro Campos do Jordão, a railway built in 1910. The in-town ride links Capivari to Vila Abernéssia.
The neighborhood is mostly flat and easy to explore on foot. It suits every kind of visitor, from families with children to those who just want to stroll, admire the facades and have something hot to drink.
Before you go
Practical information
How much time to set aside
Half a day is enough to walk around the square and main streets, circle the park's lake and ride the chairlift; if you are having dinner in the neighborhood, you will usually stay into the evening.
Best time
Winter is high season, with cold weather, lively nights and the Winter Festival; fall and spring are less crowded. Early in the morning the streets are emptier for walking and photos.
How to get there
It is in the central area of Campos do Jordão, about two hours by car from São Paulo. You can drive and park on the avenues parallel to Macedo Soares, such as Dr. Vitor Godinho and Emílio Ribas, or take the streetcar from Vila Abernéssia.
Tip
In high season the streets fill up and parking disappears; arrive early, leave the car parked and explore the neighborhood on foot.
A look at the place
Vila Capivari in pictures
These pictures are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs. They may differ from the place.
Click the picture to enlarge it.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Vila Capivari
Is there an entrance fee at Vila Capivari?
No. It is an open neighborhood. Entry to the Parque Capivari is also free; only the attractions, such as the chairlift and pedal boats, are paid.
Can you explore Capivari on foot?
Yes. The square, the park, the lake and the main streets are close together and the area is almost entirely flat.
How long does it take to see it?
A few hours is enough for the square, the streets and the park. With the chairlift and a meal, allow half a day.
Where can I park in Capivari?
On the avenues parallel to Macedo Soares, such as Dr. Vitor Godinho and Emílio Ribas. In high season, spaces are hard to find.
When is the best time to go?
Winter is the most popular season, with cold weather and the Winter Festival, but also the most crowded. Outside it, the neighborhood is quieter.