What to Do in Campos do Jordão: 16 Tips

What to do in Campos do Jordão on a weekend trip? You’ll probably need more than one weekend to see it all, since the town is enormous — but here are our tips to make the most of your trip and explore the town.

The town sits within an APA (Environmental Protection Area) of the Serra da Mantiqueira, created in 1985 to preserve this mountain range in southeastern Brazil, spanning parts of São Paulo, Minas Gerais, and Rio de Janeiro.

It offers something for every taste, whether you’re into sports and nature or just want to shop and eat at excellent restaurants.

The town sits close to São Paulo, about two hours thirty minutes away, depending on traffic, making it a great weekend escape for São Paulo residents, especially in the winter.

It also has neighboring towns just as charming as Campos, like São Bento do Sapucaí and Santo Antônio do Pinhal, each about an hour away.

Tips on What to Do in Campos do Jordão

• Portal da Cidade de Campos do Jordão
• Parque Amantikir
• Capivari, the town center
• Palácio Boa Vista
• Museu Felícia Leirner
• Ducha de Prata
• Pico do Itapeva
• Mosteiro Beneditino São João
• Morro do Elefante and its cable car
• Riding the tram from Estação Emílio Ribas
• Vista Chinesa
• Mirante do Lajeado
• Complexo Pedra do Baú
• Wineries
• Fazendinha Toriba
• Parque Floresta Encantada

Portal da Cidade de Campos do Jordão

The drive into Campos is already beautiful, and as soon as you arrive, it’s a great idea to pull over and take a photo at the town gate.

Parque Amantikir

Parque Amantikir is a beautiful spot and a must-see on your list, where you’ll get some great photos.

The name Amantikir means “mountain that cries,” rooted in a Tupi Indigenous legend, in which a young Indigenous woman and the Sun fell in love. The Moon, jealous, told the god Tupã, who raised the mountains and trapped the woman inside, so she’d never see the sun again — and because of this, she cried so much that her tears formed the springs of the Mantiqueira.

The Portuguese, though, couldn’t pronounce Amantikir correctly, and said “amantiqueira” instead, which over time became “Mantiqueira.”

The park’s creator wanted the space to showcase examples of classic gardens from around the world, like Chinese, German, French, and more.

The park’s most famous feature is its labyrinths, beautiful for photos. You can photograph them either from the viewpoint above or right next to them.

Capivari, Downtown Campos do Jordão

Capivari is the little downtown area, home to the bars, restaurants, and shops — basically, where everything happens in town. The street is pedestrian-only, so you can stroll and take it all in, especially at night. This part of town is beautifully lit up, charming, and romantic.

Palácio Boa Vista

Opened in 1964, this is the winter residence of the Governor of São Paulo state. Part of it operates as a museum, with 105 rooms and an art collection of 3,500 works, dating to the 17th and 18th centuries. It’s currently closed because of the pandemic.

Right out front is Café Palácio, which we visited, and you’ll find it in our tips on where to eat in Campos do Jordão.

Museu Felícia Leirner

In short, this is an open-air sculpture museum, featuring works by the sculptor, born in Poland and later a naturalized Brazilian, in 1927. There are 84 pieces, 44 in bronze and 40 in cement, all created by the artist.

Ducha de Prata

This is a series of artificial waterfalls, channeled from the Ribeirão das Perdizes. You can walk through and take photos along wooden platforms.

Free admission, but since it’s a popular attraction, expect a lot of visitors.

You can reach it from town on foot, by car, or via the tourist train.

Pico do Itapeva

Located in the town of Pindamonhangaba, with a beautiful view at 2,035 meters elevation.

On a clear day, you can see 14 different towns, and even the Basílica de Aparecida, though catching a clear day here isn’t easy.

Be careful not to fall inside the park boundary, since the actual peak sits a bit higher, near the antennas.

Mosteiro Beneditino São João

Near Palácio Boa Vista, this is a beautiful, deeply peaceful spot. Founded in 1964 by Mother Margarida Hertel, from Germany, along with 17 nuns — today home to a woodcut print museum — the current property was purchased in 1967.

There’s a shop selling images of saints, medals, and products made by the nuns themselves, along with a stunning grotto.

Morro do Elefante and Its Cable Car

This hill gets its name from its resemblance to an elephant’s trunk, with its summit at 1,800 meters, offering a view over the Capivari area.

You can drive up or ride the cable car — it’s very close to town, and like other attractions here, it’s free and typically crowded.

Riding the Tram from Estação Emílio Ribas

Opened on November 15, 1914, we rode the tram, and the trip takes about 45 minutes on average, running from Capivari park to the town gate. It costs R$30 per person, and honestly, it’s really pleasant.

There used to be a tourist train in Campos do Jordão running to São Bento do Sapucaí, but that’s been suspended, along with another route to Pindamonhangaba, both suspended because of the pandemic.

Vista Chinesa

From here, at 1,700 meters elevation, you get a view over the Vale do Lageado — we’d only recommend going at sunset. Free admission.

Mirante do Lajeado

Access is via the Estrada Municipal do Toriba, through an intersection on the right as you climb the mountain, past km 40, or via Avenida Ernesto Diederichsen if you’re already in town — worth noting, the road is quite narrow, winding, and two-way, and honestly, we thought the view was better along the road itself than from the top.

The sunset here is beautiful, so it’s well worth checking out!!!

Complexo Pedra do Baú

Even though Pedra do Baú can be reached from Campos do Jordão, it’s technically part of the neighboring municipality of São Bento do Sapucaí. Learn more about these beautiful mountains in our full write-up.

Wineries in Campos do Jordão

In the Serra da Mantiqueira, we visited two wineries, Entre Vilas and Raízes do Baú — even though they’re closer to Campos do Jordão, both are technically located in São Bento do Sapucaí, and you can read more about these incredible spots in our full write-up.

Fazendinha Toriba

A great little farm to bring the kids to and see animals up close. On site, you’ll find beautiful native forest, a lake, an organic garden, a snack kiosk, picnic tables, a hammock area, a playground, and plenty of farm animals you can pet and feed.

The animals include chickens, ducks, geese, sheep, a cow, rabbits, goats, guinea pigs, and more. Kids love going into the rabbit house to pet and feed them.

Location: Estrada Paulo Costa Lenz César, 630. Hours: daily, 9 AM to 4 PM, with entry allowed up to 50 minutes before closing. Price: Monday–Friday: R$40 (full) / R$20 (half). Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, and extended holiday weekends: R$50 (full) / R$25 (half).

Parque da Floresta Encantada

Parque da Floresta Encantada (website) is an attraction geared toward children, surrounded by greenery, with little houses inspired by fairy tales — some of which you can actually walk into, though the spaces are small and a bit tight. There’s a snack bar and parking on site.

It’s home to a whole fantasy world inspired by various children’s stories, a dream-filled attraction for anyone visiting Campos do Jordão. Worth noting: the park has accessibility features for visitors with disabilities.

There are several themed houses: the rabbits’, the angels’, the dolls’, the witch’s, the ghost’s, Santa’s (open only at Christmas), and Snow White’s.

Location: Rua Arandi, 270. Hours: open daily, 9:30 AM to 5 PM. Price: flat rate of R$10 per person; children pay starting at age 4.

Discover more things to do in the area — read our post on where to eat in Campos do Jordão and where to buy chocolate in Campos do Jordão.