|
FACTS
ABOUT BROTAS: In Brotas lives about
19.000 and the town is located in the state of Sao
Paulo, 260km from São Paulo City. The distance
to Campinas is approx 150km, to Sao Carlos 63km and
to Ribeirao Preto 185km.
HOW
IS BROTAS: Brotas is one of Brazil’s
most famous cities in terms of radical and adventure
sports and tourism. It is a centenary city, which
flourished in the coffee era and still keeps live
stockbreeding and agriculture as the basis of its
economy. The exuberant vegetation is composed of Brazilian
inland vegetation and Plateau Forest, a variation
of the Atlantic Forest. The fauna is comprised of
different species of birds and other animals typical
of the inland vegetation, including the Guará
wolf, threatened of extinction. The region is very
rich in springs, rivers, riverbanks and waterfalls,
allowing for the practice of different activities
close to nature.
Located
in the northeast of the State of São Paulo,
Brotas has very rainy summers, leaving the rivers
full, ideal for rafting, attracting many tourists
during the period. River Jacarpe Pepira, which passes
though the city, belongs to the River Tietê
basin, and occupies and area of 2,612km², originating
from the boundary between São Pedro and Brotas,
on the top of the Itaqueri Mountain Range, forming
exuberant waterfalls and lowlands. Despite the city
today still economically depending mainly on agriculture,
the region’s natural resources – waterfalls,
preserved forests, mountain ranges and rivers have
encouraged tourism. Ecotourism, adventure and rural
tourisms have been on the rise, making Brotas a strong
attraction to nature lovers.
HOW TO GO:
Going from São Paulo, the way out is via the
Bandeirantes Highway, heading until Cordeirópolis.
By Km 168, turn right at Washington Luis Highway (direction
of São Carlos/São José do Rio
Preto). Travel until km 206, turn right (following
the signs Jaú/Brotas) through SP-225, or Paulo
Nilo Romano Highway. An additional 40 km and you arrive
at the Brotas entrance. (See map below).
WHEN TO GO / CLIMATE:
The mean temperature of the region stays at 21ºC,
with maximum between 27ºC and 30ºC and minimum
between 15ºC and 18ºC. The summers –
December to March – are hot and rainy, creating
the ideal scenario for radical sports in the rivers
of the region. Winter (spring) time the water levels
are quite low and limit some tours / activities.
ATTRACTIONS
Alaya – Adventure Center
The Alaya Adventure Center offers programs for the
entire family. It is comprised of five acres of land
at the margins of River Jacaré. The main attraction
is Verticália (acrobatic circuit) – 3
hr of adventure on the tree tops, passing through
stairways, cables, suspended bridges and Tyrolese,
amounting to a total of 35 different activities.
With
a kit (little chair, ropes and pulley) and under the
control of specialized supervisors, the participant
covers five aerial stretches, where the difficulty
increases progressively. The course is open to those
higher than 1.4 m tall, and functions all year around
attending to tourists, schools and companies.
The
Centers has activities such as Verticalinha –
activity specially created for kids; Poção
– beach and backwater in the waters of river
Jacaré-Pepira; cross buoy; kayak, to travel
downstream; and a labyrinth garden, with a collection
of Brazilian palm trees, and hundreds of native tree
seedlings, perfumed plants, vegetable farm and organic
orchard.
Areia
Que Canta – Tamanduá Ranch
It is a half-day tour of Tamanduá Ranch. In
a real natural sanctuary, a water body surrounded
by reminiscent cilliary forest forming a natural bubbling
water spring amidst fine white sand that “sings”.
A walk through the ranch leads to the a source for
a bath. A few more steps to bath beneath the cascade
on Ribeirão Tamanduá. On the way back,
choose between a picturesque café of the ranch
or a countryside meal. The name “areia que canta”
(sand that sings) is in fact named after this sand,
which produces a noise similar to that of a cuíca
(high-pitched Brazilian friction drum) when rubbed.
Cachoeira
Água Branca
In the D, Calila farm can be found this delicious
waterfall, ideal for relaxing, sunbathing and enjoying
the waters of a natural pool. There is also a visit
to the farm’s distillery, where one can taste
the liquor “pinga” which is made by craftsmanship.
Cassorova
Waterfall
A tour lasting the whole day at the Cassorova ranch.
To heat up, start with a beautiful trail that cuts
through the Cassorova Valley until the Quatis Waterfall.
A pause for resting at the natural pool of the ranch,
and an authentic lunch with countryside food cooked
on a firewood stove is part of the second leg. After
that, a small walk to the Cassorova Waterfall ends
the day.
Escorregador
(Slide) Waterfall
On the way to São Pedro, it is worth stopping
by the Mr. Benedito’s farm for refreshment.
Then, follow on through a small trail on the margins
of a spring and soon discover a cascade and a very
large natural pool, ideal for a bath.
Bela
Vista Waterfalls
Comprised of small riverbanks, the Bela Vista and
Coqueiros waterfalls have access to a small trail.
You will arrive at Macacos Waterfall through a longer
trail, by the edge of this valley, where it is possible
to see some monkeys during the journey.
Astor
Waterfalls
They stay in the region of Patrimonio, comprised of
the Pinheirinho riverbank. A visit to the most famous
of them, the 1st Astor Fall, ideal for bathing and
for canyoning beginners. The 2nd fall is for adventurers
ready to walk on a more difficult trail, but worth
because of the sites location.
Martelo
Waterfalls
On the foot of the mountain range, the Martelo Ranch
hides two beautiful waterfalls that can visited by
walking easy and light trails in the middle of the
native forest.
São
José Waterfalls
At the top of the Santa Maria Mountain Range, a ranch
of the coffee cycle time offers a tour to two beautiful
waterfalls: Cipó and Escravos. There is also
a tour made in a Bull-driven carriage, a visit to
the Rural Museum, and a rich breakfast at the Ranch.
It is possible also, to engage in activities such
as walks, baths, canyoning, Tyrolese, horse riding
and rural tourism.
Três
Quedas Waterfalls
They are on the wall of the range, which makes up
the area of river Jacaré-Pepira. There, it
is possible to take a short walk to the Andorinhas
Waterfall, bath, and then follow a trail that goes
downhill, passing through native forest until Figueira
Waterfall. On the way back, it is worth stopping shortly
to refresh under the Cachoeirinha das Nascentes, or
sitting at the kiosk and appreciate the beautiful
scenario of the mountain range. It is possible to
engage in activities such as canyoning and cascading.
Universal
Studies Center - CEU
Largest astronomical complex of Latin America, the
Universal Studies Center (CEU) is an interactive space
composed of an observatory, planetarium, exhibition
center, lab, and amphitheater. It allows visitors
to observe the universe through a large telescope,
and watch multimedia presentations about astronomy.
This tour should be booked by phone +55 (14) 3653-4466
or +55 (11) 3812-2112.
Palmeiras
Ranch
It offers different treking, Tyrolese, horse riding,
bathing, climbing and rappel activities.
Nova
América Ranch Accommodation and Adventure
A historic ranch, embedded in one of the most beautiful
landscapes of the city, marked by the presence of
the “morros testemunhos” hills. Among
its activities, treking, tree climbing, rappel, horse
ridding and rural tourism.
Sinhá
Ruth Ranch
Close to the old barrage of the Rio Jacaré
dam is the Dinhá Ruth Ranch. In its forests
are hidden waterfalls. One of them is named after
the ranch, is 35m tall and is opened for visitation
exclusively for the practice of canyoning. The Jovem
Waterfall, with 15m, and Quatro amigos, of 10m, complement
the tour. A guide is required.
Recanto
das Cachoeiras
It has two waterfalls formed from springs that fall
off the river Jacaré hill. Very close and easy
to access, the Santo Antônio Cachoeira has 15
m; and going downhill through a longer and more steep
trail, you find the Roseira Waterfall, 55 m tall.
It is possible to go on pleasnat treks, take refreshing
baths, and practice cascading.
Sete
Quedas Ranch
It stays at the top of the Mountain range, 4 km from
the Patrimônio District. On the other side of
Serra do Vale do Cassorova, there are other trail
options that lead to the Quatis Waterfall, and the
Bela Vista, Coqueiros and Macacos waterfalls. The
activities at the farm are walks, refreshing baths,
tree climbing, rappel, Tyrolese and cascading.
Taperão
dos Três Saltos
The Taperão dos Três Saltos Ranch is
a perfect example of the natural beauty and preservation
of the environment. An important fruit production
center of high technology, the farm now invests in
the Live Nature Project, offering activities such
as treks, river baths, and rural tourism.
Tavolaro
Leisure and Adventure
Develops leisure and rural tourism – such as
the visit to the manual milking facility, to the dairies
production sector, horse riding and Tyrolese, among
other radical sports activities. It also has a paid
fishpond, excellent infrastructure of snack bars and
restaurants, which serve fish and toad, and crocodile
meat portions. It has a shop with various products
made at the farm, among cheese, yogurts, sausages,
home made candy, jellies, handicraft, etc.
Parque
Jacaré Plant
It stays 23 km from Downtown, and 1 km from the Patrimônio
District, access through the road that takes to the
dam, and the main waterfalls of Alto da Serra.
Property
of the Historical heritage Foundation of São
Paulo Power (FPHESP), it has a tourist information
post at the barrage where one can visit beautiful
waterfalls Dois Irmãos, Três Pedras and
the old Jacaré Plant.
It
offers activities such as guided trails – a
walk down a trail passing by two waterfalls until
reaching the Plant; visit the machinery room and the
old employees villa. The return trip is made through
the Servidão Road of the Plant. There is also
guided horse riding which consists of a descent through
the Servidão Road of the plant until the point
of arrival, following on later through a road opened
in closed forest, returning through the same way.
Saltos
Park
Area of great environmental and historical relevance.
Located in the urban perimeter, it is the postal card
of Brotas, as the river cuts across the city, forming
several waterfalls – where annually, different
events are held, particularly in relation to adventure
sports. It also has buildings of historical and architectural
value: the old Power Plant, built in the 19th century,
when Brotas already had electric power – even
from the capital.
River
Jacaré-Pepira Dam
Located in the Patrimônio District, at the top
of the Mountain range, the dam stays 23 km from the
city and occupies and area of approximately 14.5 hectares.
It is possible to develop leisure activities there
such as swimming and fishing, in addition to nautical
sports, kayak and boat rides.
Night
Rafting
Ideal for adventure lovers, its is carried out at
full moon nights. The course covers 12 km of river,
downstream, in a trajectory that lasts 3 hr of pure
adrenalin. It is a very different program, with much
adrenalin under the moonlight. In addition to the
3 hr course in inflating boats on he river, it also
has 2 hr reserved for the Luau, under the perfume
of flowers, and the fresh night breeze. The minimum
age allowed is 14 and the activity begins at 8 PM,
leaving from the city of Brotas, at Av. Mário
Pinotti, 504.
Shopping
Candies,
cheese, meat, and yogurts
Fazenda Tavolaro - SP-225, km 143, exit to Jaú,
at 14 km from the city and opens from 7 AM to 8:30
PM.
Plant
seedlings, flowers and fruits
Fazenda Taperão - SP-225, km 140, exit to Jaú,
12 km from the city, open from 6 AM to 10 PM. |
Stay at chosen hotel in Brotas; see options
below:
