Before you go
Your trip to São José dos Campos.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
São José dos Campos – SP Destination Serra da Mantiqueira
How to get there
The Via Dutra reaches the urban area of the Vale do Paraíba. For Monteiro Lobato and the Mantiqueira, use the SP-050; São Francisco Xavier requires a local connection from that corridor.
How many days
Two days allow dedicating one stage to Parque Vicentina Aranha and another to the district of São Francisco Xavier.
When to go
June to August is usually cooler in the mountains, with less rain than December to March. The urban area in the valley tends to be warmer than São Francisco Xavier.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
Do you need a car?
The urban park can be visited in a short trip within the city. For São Francisco Xavier and the waterfall, a car or combined transport makes leaving via the SP-050 corridor easier.
Suggested itinerary
An order that works
Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.
2 days in São José dos Campos
Day 1
-
Morning
Parque Vicentina Aranha
Walk through the gardens and observe the pavilions of the former sanatorium, respecting the spaces designated for cultural activities.
Day 2
-
Morning
São Francisco Xavier and Cachoeira Pedro David
Dedicate another stage to the mountain district and the municipal access to the waterfall, taking into account the river's conditions.
Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.
Before you go
Frequently asked questions
Is São Francisco Xavier a different city?
It is a district of São José dos Campos, in the mountain portion of the municipality. The trip from the urban area requires its own time.
Can I combine the urban park and the waterfall in the same outing?
The two visits are in different parts of the municipality. Separating them into stages avoids spending most of the day on the road.
How to get to Monteiro Lobato?
Leave the urban area via the SP-050, on the corridor that rises from the Vale do Paraíba to the Mantiqueira.
Does the visit to Parque Vicentina Aranha include entry to all the pavilions?
Walking through the gardens is different from entering rooms and cultural spaces. Confirm which environments are part of the visit before going.