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Sayulita

Sayulita is a beach town in Nayarit, on the Pacific Coast of Mexico. Once an "off the beaten path" beach populated by surfers and backpackers, word about the town's mellow vibe, great food, and warm hospitality has gotten out and today so many visitors come to town that it's hard to imagine anyone saying it is "off the beaten path". Despite its popularity, the town is still a friendly, beautiful beach with wide sandy beaches and amazing sunsets.

Get in
Sayulita is located north of Puerto Vallarta on a two-lane highway (Fed Hwy 200). You can take a bus or a taxi from the Puerto Vallarta airport.

From the Puerto Vallarta airport, use the pedestrian overpass to cross the highway and flag a green and white "Compostela" bus that says Sayulita on the front. The fare is MXN55 as of 2023. The buses run every 10 minutes from 5:15 am until 10:30 pm.

Get around
If you are staying in the main part of town, nearly everything is walkable. You may want a rental car if you are staying more than a mile or two from the center of town.

See
Sayulita is a natural beauty. It still has plenty of virgin jungle for hiking. You will also find several different hidden beaches as you travel the dirt roads deeper into the jungle. You can rent ATVs and/or horses for jungle tours and the jungle roads are great for mountain biking.

Rent kayaks to explore the ocean or hire a panga boat to take you whale watching (November through January).

Experience the economic diversity of the Bahia de Banderas while giving back to its Mexican communities. A local nonprofit called Investours offers socially responsible microfinance tours in Sayulita and its surrounding communities.

Do
Surfing: Sayulita is an excellent, tranquil place for new surfers to learn the sport. The beach is shallow and you can reach the bottom even fifty meters away from the shore. The bottom of the beginner section is sandy and mostly safe. This makes it easy to get back to the place the waves break and allows more efficient learning. The beach also has a more demanding, rockier section, but it is quite hard to get there by accident. The waves are rather small and easy for beginners (at least in January through March).

Plenty of small sport fishing trips available if you look around. If you can find Nacho's boat trips, he will give you a fun trip and can take you whale watching if you don't want to fish (be forewarned he'll stop to fish anyhow if he sees something interesting).

There are a couple of other beaches that are more 'local', if you're up for minor adventure scout out the other beaches around town.

You can go hiking to the north-east, west and south. OsmAnd or Mapy.cz covers the walking paths.

There are several options for yoga locally, including The Rose Room and Oka Hey Sayulita, both of which offer yoga classes twice daily (as of February 2024).

Buy

There are ATMs throughout the village, for example from Multiva. As they are standing on the streets, take care that they aren't manipulated.

Plenty of shops with tourist things and local art.

Huichol Indians sell their handcrafted wares in the plaza daily. The true find: some of the best Huichol art in Mexico in the museum store Galeria Tanana on Avenida Palmar.

Eat
For breakfast try Rollie's Place just a couple of blocks off of the main square (they also serve dinner now too). There are 40 or more restaurants in town even though it is a small town. Try the street side taco stand vendors for some great fare and cheap eats.

Try the Mangiafuoco for dinner, an Italian restaurant with an Italian chef with a menu changing daily, and frequent live music later on. Excellent homemade pasta and wood oven fired pizza.

Drink
Go to one of the grocery stores off of the main square to get cervezas, then return your bottles for deposit returns. There are margaritas the size of your head available at Costeno's, which is located right on the beach, straight down from the plaza.

If you are looking for a more upscale establishment, try Don Pedro's (also on the beach) or head to the plaza and check out Miro Vino or Calypso. If you want to learn about and sample Mexico's finest Tequilas, then try Sayulita Fish Taco.

Sleep
There are several affordable options for accommodation. The town center is just a couple blocks in size and you should have no trouble finding a place to stay. The campgrounds in Sayulita are considered to be among the best in Mexico and are famous word of mouth lore passed among seasoned travelers.

Stay safe
As the beaches in Sayulita have shallow temperate ocean water: Do the Stingray Shuffle and you will be fine. It means when going in the water, shuffle or slide your feet forward without lifting them. There are YouTube videos about how to do it.

Go next
You find hostels and private rooms in:

 * San Francisco (Mexico) – just 7 km in the north-east. At a beach, surrounded by a jungle and notable for its floral diversity.
 * Bucerias – 20 km in the south-east. A coastal village with a long uninterrupted white sand beach
 * Tepic – 130 km in the north-east. It's the capital of Nayarit
 * Puerto Vallarta - Compostella buses leave about every 10 minutes to the Puerto Vallarta airport. They leave from the Terminal de Autobuses Sayulita, and cost 50 pesos as of February 2023. Note that this is a second class bus, and might not be a good option for travelers with multiple suitcases, or travelers who are unable to use Spanish to tell the driver where they want to be dropped off. They take between 60 and 120 minutes, depending on how many stops passengers request the driver to make, but expect about a 90 minute trip.
 * Guadalajara – 295 km in the east. You can go by carpooling or from Puerto Vallarta by intercity bus or non-stop flight. From there further to San Luis Potosi, Guanajuato, San Miguel de Allende or Querétaro
 * Mazatlán – It is recommended to take a flight to and out of the city.

title: Sayulita


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Sámara

Sámara is a beach town in Costa Rica's Guanacaste province.

By plane

 * Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport, also called Liberia Costa Rica Airport, 13 km west of the city. Daily flights arrive in Liberia on several US airlines. Nature Air and Sansa Air, the domestic airlines also land here. A bus travels between the airport and city center 06:00-18:00.

By bus
A large public bus network services Liberia and connects it with San Jose, the beaches and the Nicaraguan border. You can take a bus from San Jose to Nicoya, and then to Samara. Buses travel to/from Nicoya-Samara about every hour and cost ₡1300. Buses from Liberia arrive to Nicoya at a different bus terminal than those that depart to Samara and other southbound locations, and you will have to walk about 10 minutes to the other terminal.

By car
Liberia is at the cross section of the Inter American Highway that stretches throughout Central America and the Route 21 that heads to famous beaches such as Tamarindo. The route into town is a relatively pleasant drive on paved road from Nicoya. From points north, take Route 21 into Nicoya and then follow the signs to Sámara -- it's about two hours away from Liberia airport. From San José, the best route is through the Interamericana (Highway 1) north, then west along Route 18, across La Amistad de Taiwan bridge, then through Nicoya and into Sámara.

Get around
Public bus, bicycle or on foot. Samara Beach is a small beach town which allows for walking to most destinations.

See
A quick visit to Samara Costa Rica provides many opportunities for families to enjoy the reef protected beach. The horses walk this beach town unchecked. For safety reasons shoes should be worn at all times.

Do
Rentals of surfboards and kayaks are available through various outfitters around town and along the beach. Also, several snorkeling, kayaking, and sportfishing tours are offered. The further you go from the beach entrance, the cheaper it is.

Go next
Playa Carrillo is a lovely beach approximately 6 km south of town along paved road.

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Sámara


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Sângeorz-Băi

Sângeorz-Băi is a spa town in Bistrița-Năsăud County, Transylvania.

Understand
A small resort located near the Rodna mountains, Sângeorz-Băi is best known for its mineral springs used for the treatment of various ailments.

By train
Sângeorz-Băi is on a secondary railway and gets limited service, just a few trains that link it with the nearby station Ilva Mică (on the Cluj-Suceava mainline) operated by the small rail company Regional . Travel time is about 20 minutes.

Get around
The resort is walkable.

Go next

 * Rodna (half hour away by train) - the ruins of a fortress and monastery destroyed during the 1241 Mongol invasion

title: Sângeorz-Băi


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Sânnicolau Mare

Sânnicolau Mare is a town in Timiș County, Banat, Romania.

Get in
Sânnicolau Mare is the westernmost city of Romania, situated in the north-west of Timis County in Mures Lower Plain, on the river Aranca. It lies at a distance of 64 km NW of Timisoara and 18 km from the customs Cenad on national road DN6. It is linked with Timisoara by rail Timisoara-Lovrin-Cenad and Timisoara-Periam-Valcani.

title: Sânnicolau Mare


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São Benedito do Sul

São Benedito do Sul is a city in Pernambuco, Brazil.

Get in
Fly to Recife's Guararapes International Airport. São Benedito do Sul is 173 Km southwest of Recife. Take BR-101 (via Palmares) and PE-126.

See
There are thirteen waterfalls in São Benedito do Sul. The most popular are:
 * Peri Peri Waterfall
 * Poço do Caboclo Waterfall

Do

 * Rappel
 * Trekking
 * Ecological hiking

Sleep

 * Fazenda Betânia, State Highway PE-126, São Benedito do Sul, tels.: +55 81 3684-1126 and +55 81 9978-0520,.

title: São Benedito do Sul


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São Bernardo do Campo

São Bernardo do Campo is a municipality in the metropolitan area of São Paulo. Similarly to Santo André, it is divided into two districts:
 * The main district, or "the city of São Bernardo do Campo", an urban area with an economy based on industry, and regarded as the birthplace of Brazil's modern labour movement. That is where the Central Única dos Trabalhadores (CUT), which is the largest trade union of Latin America, was founded.
 * The Riacho Grande district, predominantly covered by the Billings water reservoir and Parque Estaudal Serra do Mar (a preserved rainforest area). The district is the starting point of the Caminhos do Mar walking tour, that descends along the rainforest until the coast, offering breathtaking views and containing historical constructions from Brazil's Imperial era.

By car
Both districts of São Bernardo are easily accessible from São Paulo by the Anchieta motorway.

By public transport
From São Paulo, the main district of São Bernardo can be reached by the metropolitan bus operated by EMTU, that departs from the Jabaquara metro and bus station. This bus is reasonably fast since it has a dedicated corridor.

From São Paulo's Far South to Riacho Grande
The district of Riacho Grande is next to São Paulo's Far South, and it is actually possible to go from one area to another, using either car or public transport. This ride is an adventure in itself, and it is an excellent way to admire the beautiful nature that surrounds the urban area of São Paulo.

The journey begins at Av. Da. Belmira Marin, in Grajaú (that starts from Av. Senador Teotônio Vilela), and involves taking three ferry boats over the Billings Reservoir. The second ferry boat crosses the border between São Paulo and São Bernardo do Campo, and if you are going by bus, you need to go on this ferry boat on foot (although you may take another bus in the other side). The total length of the journey, from Av. Senador Teotônio Vilela to the main village of Riacho Grande, is about 30 km.

Do

 * Do fishing or nautical sports at the Billings reservoir
 * Ride a paddle boat or watch the sunset at Parque Municipal Estoril
 * Go trekking at Parque Estadual Serra do Mar - Núcleo Itutinga-Pilões

Budget

 * Hotel Smart Inn, Avenida Newton Monteiro de Andrade, 167. +55 11 4122-1557
 * Hotel Dueto Avenida Vergueiro, Sen, 3679. +55 11 4173-2435

Mid-range

 * Pampas Palace Hotel, Avenida Mauá, Br, 71. +55 11 4122-2000
 * Pampas Palace Hotel, Avenida Mauá, Br, 71. +55 11 4122-2000
 * Pampas Palace Hotel, Avenida Mauá, Br, 71. +55 11 4122-2000

Go next
São Bernardo do Campo sits in a privileged location, being the city of the metropolitan area of São Paulo closest to the beach. In good traffic conditions, the coastal cities Santos, Praia Grande, Guarujá, Bertioga and São Vicente can all be reached in 45-50 min from the city center of São Bernardo by taking Rodovia Anchieta.

However, only Santos is reachable by the local intercity bus service, provided by Viação Cometa. To get to other coastal cities by bus it is necessary to go first to the Jabaquara intercity bus terminal, in São Paulo, or take another intercity bus in Santos.

title: São Bernardo do Campo


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São Caetano do Sul

São Caetano do Sul is a city in the state of São Paulo. As of 2013, it is the city with the highest Human Development Index (HDI) of Brazil. However, due to intense conurbation with other cities, visitors may easily mistake São Caetano for a collection of neighborhoods of São Paulo or other cities of the ABC region.

By bus

 * Nicolau Delic Interstate Bus Terminal (Terminal Rodoviário Interestadual Nicolau Delic), Rua Santo Antônio, 50 - Centro.

By train

 * CPTM Line 10/Turquesa (formerly line D)

Get around
Good bus service by VIPE company, from rail station to key districts like Maua, Santa Maria and Barcelona.

title: São Caetano do Sul


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São Carlos

São Carlos is a city of 255,000 people (2020) in the Central region of the state of São Paulo in Brazil, named after Saint Charles Borromeo. It is about 231 km from the city of São Paulo and is known as the Capital of Technology.

São Carlos municipality is formed by São Carlos city and two districts: Água Vermelha and Santa Eudóxia. It is the 32nd most populated city in the state of São Paulo.

By car

 * From São Paulo or Campinas, take Rodovia Anhanguera (SP-330) or Rodovia dos Bandeirantes (SP-348) until Limeira. From there, Rodovia Washington Luís (SP-310), heading to Araraquara and São José do Rio Preto;
 * From Araraquara (33 km) or São José do Rio Preto (226 km), take the Rodovia Washington Luís (SP-310) heading to Limeira.
 * Rodovia Eng° Thales de Lorena Peixoto Júnior (SP-318) connects São Carlos to the northern districts of Água Vermelha (12 km) and Santa Eudóxia (32 km), to the São Carlos Airport (14 km), to the Asas de um Sonho museum (16 km), and to Ribeirão Preto (97 km);
 * Rodovia Luís Augusto de Oliveira (SP-215) connects São Carlos to the west, for cities like Ribeirão Bonito and Dourado;
 * SP-255 connects São Carlos to the west, for cities like Jaú (83 km) and Bauru (153 km);
 * Rodovia Dr. Paulo Lauro (SP-215) connects São Carlos to the east, for cities like Descalvado (35 km) and Porto Ferreira (48 km).

By bus
São Carlos is well served by intermunicipal bus lines, travelling up to 153 destinies, like Araraquara, Rio Claro, Ribeirão Preto, Campinas, Piracicaba, São Paulo, among other important cities within the state and across the country.

In Socicam website, it is possible to obtain informations regarding Terminal Rodoviário Paulo Egídio Martins, São Carlos bus station, as well as the list of the companies which offer passenger transport services.

By plane
Guarulhos International Airport, in São Paulo , and Viracopos International in Campinas  are the main international airports around São Carlos, operating regular flights to several destinies, including major cities in North America, Europa, Africa and Asia.

Other nearby airports are:
 * Ribeirão Preto (100 km), connecting São Carlos to a number of regional cities in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Goiás, Mato Grosso, Minas Gerais, Tocantins, and Bahia;
 * Araraquara (33 km), with 9 weekly flights to Campinas, operated by Azul.

Inside São Carlos city, there is the Mário Pereira Lopes airport, which operates only charter flights.

By car
There are several car rental companies in São Carlos.

By bus
There are dozens of urban bus lines (managed by SiTrans), running through the city, and its two connecting terminals (North and South).
 * SITrans website

Churches and temples

Theaters

Parks and forests

Cinematographs

Go next

 * Araraquara

title: São Carlos


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São Filipe

São Filipe is a city on the island of Fogo.

Get in
See the Fogo section for details on flights and boats.

From the airport a taxi into town costs 500$. A shared Aluguer costs 100$.

From the port, a taxi is around 150$.

For other destinations around the island aluguers leave from near the market.

See
There is a lot of colonial architecture all around the historical center of the town.

Do
There is said to be a somewhat decent beach by the harbor outside of town, where the current isn't quite as strong.

title: São Filipe


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São Francisco do Sul

São Francisco do Sul is the oldest city in Santa Catarina and the third oldest in Brazil. Situated on the island of São Francisco, it lies just west of Joinville and 200km north of Florinopolis.

Beaches

 * Praia da Enseada
 * Praia da Saudade / Prainha
 * Praia do Ervino
 * Praia Grande
 * Praia do Molhe
 * Ubatuba
 * Praia de Itaguaçu
 * Praia do Forte
 * Balneário de Capri
 * Praia do Calixto
 * Praia do Salão
 * Praia da Figueira
 * Praia dos Ingleses

Do
Boats leave regularly from the city centre to see the diverse islands of Baiada Babitonga (situated between São Francisco do Sul and Joinville).

title: São Francisco do Sul


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São João del Rei

São João del Rei is the largest of the colonial mining towns in Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Understand
While lacking the stunning geographical setting and plethora of churches that Ouro Preto has, São João del Rei is quite pleasant and a good place for a few days of relaxing. The town is also known as the birthplace of Tancredo Neves, whose election as president in 1985 (he died before taking office) brought an end to Brazil's military rule.

By car
SJDR is best reached using the BR-040 highway, which connects Belo Horizonte to Rio de Janeiro. Coming from either end, exit the highway at Congonhas and access the BR-383.

By bus
São João del Rei is four hours by bus from Belo Horizonte, eight from São Paulo.

From Belo Horizonte the bus company Buser goes for R$40 (Dec 2021). Viação Sandra has the ride for R$75 (Dec 2021).

From Petrópolis Paraibuna offers tickets for around R$105 (Dec 2021).

See

 * Igreja de São Francisco de Assis, on the west side of town. Flanked by tremendous towering palms, this church was completed in 1774 and features carvings by Aleijadinho. The attached cemetery contains the grave of Tancredo Neves.
 * The small Railroad Museum in the train station depicts the important role railroads played in the development of the mining towns in the 19th century.

Do
One of the most entertaining things to do in São João del Rei is to get out of town, on the 1920s vintage steam locomotive to the nearby town of Tiradentes. It runs only Friday through Sunday, with two round trip runs per day. Tickets can be bought (no reservations needed) at the train station in the center of town.

Sleep

 * Hotel Brasil, Av. Tancredo Neves 395, (across from the train station). Old, large, and seemingly deserted. Also economical and convenient.
 * HI Villa, Av. 8 de Dezembro, 272 - centro. An economical option, this hostel offers very clean rooms, equipped kitchen and nostalgic atmosphere.

Go next
There are buses departing from São João del Rei to major Brazilian cities, usually twice a day. The bus station is simple but provides luggage storage, showers and internet connection.

title: São João del Rei


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São Jorge

São Jorge is a village in Goias, Brazil. It's where the main entrance to the Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park is located. In São Jorge there is also the house of the autodidact artist Moacir Faria. You can see several of his murals around the village depicting sacred and profane figures. It is considered art brut.

Both in Alto Paraiso and São Jorge, there is a good cell phone signal, the local operators are: Vivo, Claro and Oi. Most pousadas offer WiFi.

Get in
The nearest convenient airport is in Brasilia, about 270 km away. You can get by bus from the 'Rodoviária interestadual' in Brasilia until Alto Paraiso. From there São Jorge is 36km away. There is no bus to São Jorge, you can get a taxi for about 60 Reais or hitchhiking is quite easy.

Get around
On foot, preferably barefoot. The closest petrol station is in Alto Paraíso de Goiás.

See

 * Moon Valley (Vale da Lua) - Accessible through a 20 minute walk from São Jorge, it has a moonlike landscape and glimmering rocks, with two large natural pools, suitable for swimming.

For more information read the Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park.

Do

 * Trek in and near the park
 * In several pousadas such as Shan Pousada and Shanti Pousada, you can do a yoga class and get a massage. Shan Pousada also has a small sauna.
 * Nearby, there are hot springs, but you will need a car to get there, or you could arrange a tour with a guide.

Buy
There is no ATM in the village. The closest ATM is in Alto Paraíso de Goiás.

Eat

 * Casa das Flores, Varied cuisine, good wine list and craft beers. Accepts Visa.
 * Nenzinha, Well-seasoned home-cooked meal
 * Papalua, Pizzas, crepes, Goiano's empanada, pastas and soups. WiFi. Accepts Visa and Mastercard.

Sleep
There are several pousadas and camping in the village.

Go next

 * Brasília - 230 km
 * Alto Paraíso de Goiás (36 km)
 * Cavalcante (123 km)
 * Colinas do Sul (34 km)
 * Niquelândia (114 km)
 * Teresina de Goiás (100 km)

title: São Jorge


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São Jorge (Azores)

São Jorge is an island in Portugal's Azores (Açores) archipelago.

Understand

São Jorge (SUHNW ZHOHR-zh(ih), /ˈsɐ̃w ˈʒoɾ.ʒɨ/) has two main settlements:

title: São Jorge (Azores)


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São José do Rio Preto

São José do Rio Preto is a city in the northwest of São Paulo state in Brazil.

By plane
São Paulo is the closest city with a major international airport

title: São José do Rio Preto


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São José dos Campos

São José dos Campos is a city and a municipality in the Brazilian state of São Paulo. The city is the birthplace of Brazilian aerospace industry, and until nowadays the most important center of aerospace manufacturing and research in the country.

Districts

 * The main district is the actual city of São José dos Campos. It contains most of the population and economy of the municipality, as well as almost all non-natural attractions;
 * Eugênio de Melo is an industrial/suburban district that is home to the city's technological park. It has no significant touristic attractions, but it is a very important business destination;
 * São Francisco Xavier is an environmental protection area, an area covered by Atlantic rainforest. It is a popular ecotourism destination due to its waterfalls and mountain ranges.

Understand
São José dos Campos, often abbreviated simply as "São José", is the largest and most important city of the industrial region known as Vale do Paraíba. The city is the home of Embraer, the third largest aircraft manufacturer of the world, and of important aerospace research centers including the Instituto Tecnológico de Aeronáutica (ITA) and the Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais (INPE).

As of the latest (2021) the Brazilian census estimates the São José population at 737,310 people, the 7th largest city in the state.

For obvious reasons, most visitors to the city come for business rather than for tourism. Yet, São José dos Campos is a lively city, with many options of culture, nightlife and gastronomy, plus exuberant nature in the district of São Francisco Xavier. Its convenient location also provides easy access to São Paulo and the wonderful beaches of the North Coast of the state.

By plane
São José dos Campos is attended by the International Airport Professor Urbano Ernesto Stumpf. Despite being an international airport, it operates only domestic commercial flights, connecting the city to Campinas, Belo Horizonte, Curitiba and Rio de Janeiro. The airport is very close to the main aerospace and research centers (Embraer, CTA, Mectron, INPE) which may be convenient for business visitors.

For other destinations (including international destinations), the closest airport is the Guarulhos airport in São Paulo, about 1 hour by car from São José dos Campos, although Congonhas (São Paulo) and Viracopos (Campinas) are alternatives.

By car

 * BR-116 (Via Dutra) - The highway which links São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro cuts through the center of town.
 * SP-050 (Monteiro Lobato) comes in from the area of Campos do Jordão and Santo Antônio do Pinhal
 * SP-65 (Dom Pedro I) from the Campinas region intersects both BR-116 and SP-70 in neighboring Jacareí
 * SP-66 (Geraldo Scavone) is yet another connection from Jacareí
 * SP-70 (Carvalho Pinto) - An alternate route from neighboring Taubaté or Jacareí
 * SP-99 (Tamoios) - Connects the city to Caraguatatuba on the coast

On foot
The best areas to explore on foot are the Centro (Downtown) and Vila Adyana neighborhoods, southeast of the Banhado. There you can find most of the city's historical buildings, street commerce, and pleasant green areas like the Vicentina Aranha and Santos Dumont parks, plus of course the Banhado itself.

By bus
Buses linking downtown to the suburbs are relatively frequent, although quite crowded during peak hours. Suburb-to-suburb transport, on the other hand, is extremely limited. Many companies and research institutes are located in areas with limited or almost non-existent bus coverage, making public buses an impractical means of transport for many business tourists. Large companies, however, will typically operate private buses to and from various points in the city.

By taxi
Taking a cab is a practical way for visitors to move around the main district. Taxi costs R$ 4,50 + R$ 2,25/km (flag 1) or + R$2,90/km (flag 2). A tariff calculator is available online. During the month of December, flag 2 applies all day long.

By car
Renting a car may be more cost-effective than a taxi for long-distance travel, including going to São Francisco Xavier or exploring the areas beyond the municipality. The city grew has grown faster than its road network and public transport capacity, and as a result, São José dos Campos suffers from severe traffic during the peak hours.

Navigating the main district isn't too complicated. It is crossed by two freeways that form an "X" shape: the Anel Viário (southwest to northeast) and the '''Av. Jorge Zarur/Rod. Nova Tamoios''' (northwest to southeast), and most of the time you will be not too far from one of them. São José is also crossed by the '''Rod. Presidente Dutra''' (BR-116) (northwest to southeast) that inappropriately functions as one of the main avenues of the city, as it is necessary for people commuting to and from remote suburbs and various factories.

To get around the districts:
 * Main district => Eugênio de Melo: Take Rod. Presidente Dutra (BR-116) towards Rio de Janeiro
 * Main district => São Francisco Xavier: From either Rod. Presidente Dutra or the Anel Viário, take Av. Dr. Nélson D'avila/Rod. Monteiro Lobato (SP-050) and get to Monteiro Lobato. Afterwards take the municipal road Monteiro Lobato-São Francisco Xavier

Buy

 * Praça Afonso Pena - Centro. Saturdays.
 * Praça Ulisses Guimarães - Jardim Aquarius. Sundays.
 * Praça Sinésio Martins - Jardim Esplanada. Saturdays.
 * Praça Ulisses Guimarães - Jardim Aquarius. Sundays.
 * Praça Sinésio Martins - Jardim Esplanada. Saturdays.

Meat and BBQ

 * Villa Da Aldeia Churrascaria Av. São João, 282 – Jardim Esplanada Ii.
 * Villa Da Aldeia Churrascaria Av. São João, 282 – Jardim Esplanada Ii.

Arab

 * Al Badah, Rua Serimbura, 15 - Jardim Maringá, Also at Vale Sul Shopping, Shopping Colinas;

Chinese

 * Restaurante Adissai Rua Santa Clara, 706 – Vila Adyanna;
 * Restaurante Chinese House Av. São João, 171 – Jd. Nova América.

International

 * Hotel Nacional Inn - SJC Av. Benedito Matarazzo, 9009 – Jardim Oswaldo Cruz;
 * A Fonte Bistrô, Av. Eng. Francisco José Longo, 511 (inside Hotel Monreale Plus São José dos Campos).

Italian

 * Trattoria Mezzanino Av. Nove De Julho, 226 – Centro.

Japanese

 * Sukiya Rua Luiz Jacinto, 216 – Centro;
 * Nobarko Bar E Restaurante Japonês, Av. São João, 430 – Jd. Esplanada Ii;
 * Restaurante Yamabuki I at Center Vale Shopping, Shopping Colinas;

Fast food and snacks
Plenty of fast food stores can also be found in the food courts of the various shopping malls.

 * Baitaburguer Tchê, Av. Engº Sebastião Gualberto, 606 – Vila Maria;

General

 * Cantina Da Nena, Rua Luiz Jacinto 260 - Centro, Also at Shopping Colinas, Shopping Center Vale;
 * Restaurante Vila Velha Pça Candido Dias Castejon, 27 – Centro;
 * Com-Sciência Ii Av. Francisco José Longo, 589 – Vila Adyanna;

Pâtisseries and cafés

 * Café Do Barão Vale Sul Shopping Av. Andrômeda, 227 – Jardim Satélite;
 * Canteiros E Temperos, Rua Madre Paula De São José, 297 Casa 4 - Vila Ema;
 * Torteria Haguanaboca Av. Nove De Julho, 1.137 – Vila Adyana;

Feijoada

 * Bar E Restaurante Coronel Rua Francisco Rafael, 298 Centro;
 * Novotel São José dos Campos Av. Dr. Nélson D’ávila, 2.200 – Vila Das Acácias;

Fish and seafood

 * Tribo Do Camarão Center Vale Shopping Av. Benedito Matarazzo, 9009 - Jardim Oswaldo Cruz;

Pizzerias

 * Armazém Da Pizza Rua Serimbura, 400 – Jardim Maringá;
 * Artesanal Pizzaria, Rua Euclides Da Cunha, 120 – Jardim Maringá;
 * Augusto’s Pizzaria Av. Brasil, 622 – Monte Castelo;

Stay safe
São José dos Campos is statistically better, in terms of crime, than São Paulo or Campinas, but still considerably less safe than an average countryside town in the state. While not obvious to the average visitor, poverty and drug violence exist in the outskirts of the city. In more affluent areas like Vila Adyana, Jardim Aquarius and Jardim Satélite, robbers sometimes attempt to target wealthy citizens coming to and from restaurants, bars and shopping malls. Therefore, stay alert during the night, avoid displaying signs of wealth and possessions, and take a cab if you need to walk more than a few blocks.

The Downtown area should be avoided during the night, due to the presence of crack addicts. Brazilian funk music parties, common in São José dos Campos and in the Vale do Paraíba region, are often frequented by drug dealers and/or end up in violence. They are best avoided by all but the most adventurous visitors.

Go next
While São José dos Campos is certainly not one of the most exciting places in the country, it more than compensates this with its location. Close to the city, it is possible to find wonderful beaches, spetacular mountain ranges, cozy historical towns, and an immense metropolis.

 * São Paulo, an urban jungle with 20 million people, is the largest city of the south hemisphere
 * Caraguatatuba, a popular beach city, is reachable within 1 hour by car or 1:30 hour by bus, and can be done as a day trip
 * Ubatuba, also a coastal municipality, is a bit further than Caraguatatuba but its natural beauty makes it definitely worth for a weekend trip
 * Santo Antônio do Pinhal is a scenic countryside town with some of the most beautiful landscapes of the Vale do Paraíba region
 * Aparecida contains the Santuário Nacional de Nossa Senhora da Conceição Aparecida, the second largest Roman-catholic temple of the World, attracting 10 million visitors every year
 * Rio de Janeiro, although more than a couple of hours away, is a popular weekend destination among business visitors to São José dos Campos

title: São José dos Campos


text:
São Luís

São Luís is the capital of the Brazilian state of Maranhão. It's known for its colonial Historical Center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is a common stopover for visiting the stunning Lençóis Maranhenses.

Understand
São Luís's people, history and culture is marked by a distinctive fusion of Portuguese, indigenous Brazilian and African elements, such as its highly popular local version of the Bumba meu boi festival, happening yearly in June and July. The reggae music from the Caribbean is also immensely popular in São Luís, often referred to as the "Brazilian Jamaica".

History
São Luís was founded by the French invaders in 1612, and taken over by the Portuguese in 1615. It was subsequently conquered by Dutch invaders in 1641, and finally, retaken over for good by the Portuguese in 1644. The city prospered between the 17th and 19th centuries by means of export-oriented plantations (especially cotton) and slave trade. The city's Historical Center, a World heritage site, with buildings with beautiful azulejo (tiles) walls and the cobblestone streets, has been erected mostly during this era.

In the end of the 19th century, however, São Luís suffered from economic collapse due to the decline of cotton exportations. Only after the 1960s the city started to recover by means of government investments and iron exports, via the Vale do Rio Doce mining company. Tourism has also become an important part of economy, especially during the Bumba meu boi festivities, but tourism development is still hampered by several factors, including subpar infrastructure, lack of lingual proficiency of tourism workers, difficulties on preservation of historical heritage, and urban violence.

Orientation
For a visitor, there are two main areas of interest in São Luís:
 * The city's Historical Center, located by the sea, just south of the Anil river, which is also the city's cultural heart and center of popular shopping
 * The area around the Lagoa da Jansen (Jansen's lagoon), containing the city's urban beaches and most modern, affluent neighborhoods (like Ponta do Farol, Ponta da Areia and Jardim Renascença), including more upscale shopping and nightlife

By bus
Bus station some 8 km southeast of the center, close to the airport in Avenida dos Franceses 5073 - right north of the intersection with Rua Tres. Telephone +55 98 3249-2488. The bus Socorrão 2 / Rodoviária(and others) takes you pretty straight to/from the waterfront of Old Town. Taxi R$25 from rodoviaria (fixed price), R$25-30 taximetro from centro (2013). To Belem, 3 daily, 12 hours (more often 15-16 hr), R$125-160 (leito) (Dec 2013), by Boa Esperança and Transbrasiliana  An exhausting 20 hours to Fortaleza by Guanabara

By train
Train three times a week to Parauapebas via Santa Inês, Açailândia, Marabá and others. The train station is in a street named: Companhia Vale do Rio Doce - next to Avenida dos Portugueses - some kilometers south west of the center. Companhia Vale do Rio Doce is the name of the company that operates the train.

By plane

 * The bus 901 São Cristovão / Alemanha leaves from right outside the terminal (follow the signs) every 25 minutes or so, and takes about 45 minutes to reach Praça Deodouro in the city center (where you can hop on to get to the airport). Get off one stop after, on Rua do Passeio and walk down the pedestrian Rua Grande for 10 minutes to get to the eastern edge of Old Town.
 * If the above bus is not about to leave, a faster way is walking for 10 minutes along the main exit from the airport. Keeping to the right you will see a Shell gas station. From here you take the bus Socorrão 2 / Rodoviária(or ask what other goes), pretty straight to the Old down, about 30 minutes. To get to the airport, a number of buses from the Praia Grande terminal pass by the Shell station.
 * Taxis run at fixed prices, displayed at a table just as you exit from luggage pick up: to Old Town R$30, to the beaches R$40.

Distance to other important cities:

 * Fortaleza: 1070 km
 * Recife: 1600 km
 * Brasília: 2160 km
 * Rio de Janeiro (city): 3060 km

By bus
São Luís' public transit system is composed by a network of buses. A single ride ticket costs R$ 2.70 and a multiple ride ticket costs R$ 3.10 (2018). Multiple rides use bus interchange stations called Terminals or a Bilhete Único smartcard and have theoretically to be done on the same direction to qualify for transfer free of charge.

The main bus interchange is located in the west of the Historical Center, at Av. Sen. Vitórino Freire. There, the following bus lines can be of use to visitors:
 * T065 São Raimundo / Band Tribuzzi takes you to São Luís Shopping in about 15 minutes.
 * 403 Calhau/Litorânea goes by all the beaches.

The official bus transit app, launched by the city administration, is called Meu ônibus, but Moovit also works in São Luís.

By taxi
Taxis are popular among tourists, especially after sunset. Rideshare platforms Uber and 99Taxi are also available in São Luís - on these, the ride between airport and historical center on the wee hours costs around R$ 20 (2018).

Historic Center

 * Igreja da Sé - Av. Pedro II - Centro.
 * Palácio dos Leões (Lions Palace - seat of the Governor) - Av. Pedro II - Centro.
 * Museu Histórico e Artístico do Maranhão - Rua do Sol, Centro.
 * Convento das Mercês
 * Igreja do Desterro
 * Casa de Nhozinho - Rua Portugal, Centro
 * Fonte do Ribeirão (Stream's Fountain)- Rua do Ribeirão, Centro.
 * Fonte das Pedras (Stones' Fountain)- Rua Antônio Rayol, Centro, close to Mercado Central.
 * Teatro Arthur Azevedo - Second oldest in Brazil but very modern inside - Rua do Sol, Centro
 * Centro de Cultura Popular Domingos Vieira Filho
 * Solar São Luís - Considered the biggest azulejo-clad building in Brazil (3 floors), built in the late 1800s. - Rua do Egito, Centro.
 * Museu de Arte Sacra(Sacred Art Museum) - The collection belongs to Arquidiocese de São Luís, composed by pieces made in the 18th and 19th centuries, featuring the Mannerist, Rococo, Baroque and Neoclassic styles. - Rua do Sol, Centro.
 * Remédios Church and Praça Gonçalves Dias - Built in 1719 on Gothic style, stands on Gonçalves Dias square, a beautiful vision. Largo dos Amores, Centro.
 * Cafuá das Mercês - Rua Jacinto Maia, Centro
 * Museu do Reggae Maranhão - Museum giving tribute to what is supposed to be the reggae capital of Brazil (Sao Luis or Maranhao) - Rua da Estrela, 124, Centro. Hoursː 10ː00-20ː00 W-Sa, 10ː00-13ː00 Su.
 * Museu do Reggae Maranhão - Museum giving tribute to what is supposed to be the reggae capital of Brazil (Sao Luis or Maranhao) - Rua da Estrela, 124, Centro. Hoursː 10ː00-20ː00 W-Sa, 10ː00-13ː00 Su.

Beaches
São Luís' urban beaches do not match the beauty of those found in other Northeastern capital cities, such as Maceió or Natal, neither are known for their cleanness. However, they are a still a nice place to experience Brazilian urban beach life. The city's beaches suffer from an enormous tidal variation - the sea reportedly recedes close to 1 km on some spots at low tide, and at high tide there is no dry sand left

Cinema
There is an art cinema in the Old Town, with a mix of Brazilian and weird imports.

The largest and most modern movie theatre, with 10 showrooms, is at the São Luís Shopping, mostly showing Hollywood fare.

Other

 * Bumba-meu-boi - From 13 to 30 June - This beautiful folklore manifestation of Iberian origin is one of the highlights of the city's culture. It has been kept alive by the black people of São Luis and is performed by groups in costumes, telling a tale of a certain Bull through music, dance and theater throughout the city.

Buy
There are three malls in the city with one of them being in the historic part of town. There are numerous shops that sell souvenirs. The city center´s main pedestrian mall is Rua Grande, which has most shops but hardware and foodstuffs.

Groceries
The city has numerous large Supermarkets (supermercado) and Wholesalers (atacado - large supermarkets with a focus on bulk purchases).

 * In the Calhau area, Supermarket Mateus seemed to be common. From Calhau, there is a Mix Atacado towards Olho D'Agua and a Atacadão Sao Luis towards Vinhais.

Eat
Local dishes include Peixada(fish) and shrimp pie, and Arroz de cuxá -rice with herbs.

In Old Town:

Drink
Maranhão has its own version of the guaraná soft drink, called Jesus (nothing religious, it was the inventor´s name). It is pink and rather sweeter than the others. Many small bars around Old Town, but quite dead on Sundays, when most action goes along the beaches. Another area is along the Lagoa da Jansen, near the beach Ponta d'Areia. A third is on the beach of Calhau. Night buses go past these areas every half hour on weekends.

Sleep
Plenty of options within the Old Town, which is where most visitors wisely choose to stay. If you for some reason prefer a beach, Calhau has many pousadas (no budget options), beach bars and a few restaurants.

Budget
There is a youth hostel in Old Town that also offers singles, doubles and family rooms:

Stay safe
São Luís is safe enough by Brazilian standards, although roaming the empty streets of the Historical Center at night should be avoided. As with anywhere else in South America, not displaying expensive possessions (such as professional cameras, smartphones and stacks of cash) avoids trouble.

Stay healthy
As elsewhere in Brazil, some beaches in São Luís are not suitable for bathing, and conditions can change from day to day. On the day of your visit, check the map of bathing reports (in Portuguese, laudos de balneabilidade) of the state's Environment Department (SEMA).

Cope

 * Laundry at Lavamatic, upper end of Rua Ribeirão, R$ 9/kg, next day if you are lucky.

Go next

 * Alcântara - Reached by an approximately hour long boat ride from São Luis. The ferry also carries vehicles. Timetables are not entirely stable as they depend somewhat on tides, but mostly around 07:00 and 09:00 there should be a boat, R$10, with return in the late afternoon. Doublecheck at ticket office the day before. Travellers with a vehicle are advised to book a ticket on iBomBordo; otherwise, you may have a long wait for the next available boat ride with a free vehicle space and you may also not be guaranteed a return!
 * Lençóis Maranhenses through Barreirinhas

title: São Luís


text:
São Miguel

São Miguel is the largest and most populous island of the Azores archipelago. Portuguese for Saint Michael, the island is also known by locals as "The Green Island" (Portuguese: Ilha Verde). Most visitors arriving in the Azores will pass through São Miguel.

Cities

 * is the capital city of São Miguel, the economic heart of the island, and the administrative capital of the Azores region. Containing the island chain's major airport and the only major cruise ship terminal, many visitors to the region pass through Ponta Delgada before continuing to other destinations in the archipelago. The historic centre and most tourist attractions are located along the coastal Avenida Infante D. Henrique, which extends from the fort of São Brás in the southwest of the city to Clube Naval and the southeast Marina, and includes Campo de São Francisco, the Igreja Matriz (main church), the "Portas da Cidade" (City Gates) and the new "Portas do Mar" development.
 * is a parish covering the western part of the island, including the famous twin crater lakes, Lagoa Azul (Blue Lake) and Lagoa Verde (Green Lake).
 * , the northeastern section of São Miguel, contains many beautiful landscapes. Peppered with mountain peaks, forests, and river valleys, it is a popular spot for canyoning and other outdoor adventures.
 * , the largest parish on the island, is famous for its geothermal activity. Hot springs and geysers are prevalent, and traditional meals are cooked via thermal energy in pots buried in the ground.
 * , the second largest city (pop. 32,112 in 2011), is the gateway to the north and 20 minutes away from Ponta Delgada. It is known for its beautiful historic centre, its northern beaches for windsurfing, as well as being one of better access points to Lagoa do Fogo crater lake.
 * is located on the southern coast of the island, further east than Ponta Delgada. Vila Franca was the original capital city of the Azores before a violent earthquake and subsequent landslide in 1522 destroyed much of the city and forced the capital to relocate to Ponta Delgada. A volcanic crater off the coast created a perfectly circular islet which is a protected nature sanctuary and a popular place for snorkeling. An hourly ferry carries snorkelers to and from the islet.
 * , the second largest city (pop. 32,112 in 2011), is the gateway to the north and 20 minutes away from Ponta Delgada. It is known for its beautiful historic centre, its northern beaches for windsurfing, as well as being one of better access points to Lagoa do Fogo crater lake.
 * is located on the southern coast of the island, further east than Ponta Delgada. Vila Franca was the original capital city of the Azores before a violent earthquake and subsequent landslide in 1522 destroyed much of the city and forced the capital to relocate to Ponta Delgada. A volcanic crater off the coast created a perfectly circular islet which is a protected nature sanctuary and a popular place for snorkeling. An hourly ferry carries snorkelers to and from the islet.

Understand

The most common entry point to the island is at Ponta Delgada, the island's capital, which is accessible by boat and plane.

Although São Miguel (SUHNW mee-GEHL, /ˈsɐ̃w mi.ˈgɛɫ/) is the largest of the Azores Islands in area, the vast majority of the island's 138,000 inhabitants live in the capital city of Ponta Delgada, which as of 2011 had a population of just under 69,000, with the rest of the population clustered in a handful of cities and towns. Cities are a quaint mix of modern and traditional architecture, with beautiful old churches, windmills, and cobblestone streets existing beside more contemporary development.

The rest of the island is a showcase to its spectacular natural landscape, with rolling hills, green forests, picturesque waterfalls and beautiful ocean views. Like most of the Azores, São Miguel has volcanic origins, and the remnants of several dormant volcanic cones create much of the island's scenic attractions, including the twin lakes of the Sete Cidades, Lagoa de Fogo (Fire Lake), and the popular snorkeling islet off the coast of Villa Franca de Campo. The island is geothermically active, especially in the Furnas area; bathing in natural hot springs is a popular activity and traditional meals are cooked in pots inside active vents.

Those who enjoy outdoors adventure will love the island's numerous hiking trails and opportunities for kayaking, cycling, canyoning, surfing, and diving. Whale watching is also a popular activity in the summer months, as a diverse range of whale species can be found near the island. Although there are beaches of the black, volcanic, sand variety, most of the coastline is rocky and the surf and currents dangerous so it is not the ideal location for a traditional laid-back island beach vacation. However, for those who love the outdoors and a bit of adventure, São Miguel has a lot to offer.

By boat
The marina at Ponta Delgada also welcomes many yachts and private boats from around the world that make São Miguel a port of call along their transatlantic travels.Visitors arriving by cruise ship will most likely be docked at Terminal Maritimo which is only a five minute walk into downtown Ponta Delgada. Some cruise ships dock further out by the breakwater, in which case it is a longer, 20-minute walk. There is seasonal (summer only) inter-island ferry service to São Miguel from Santa Maria in the east and Terceira via the ferry service Atlanticoline.

By car
Renting a car is one of the best ways to explore the island. There are many areas that can only be accessed by car. While São Miguel is small enough to drive in a day, three days would allow you to see the island well at a leisurely pace.

Rental cars are available at Ponta Delgada Airport, and there are also rental companies which will pick you up at the airport and allow the car to be returned there. Plan ahead and reserve a vehicle with a rental company prior to your trip to avoid long waits at the agency or having to pick a less-than-ideal car.

The island is small. Your car hire company may offer to sell you a full tank of petrol at a discount so you can return the car empty. This is convenient, but it is unlikely you will use a full tank for ordinary sightseeing. Petrol costs about €1.45/L in Jan 2024.

By taxi
There are taxi services at the airport. As of July 2019, from the airport to Ponta Delgada city centre, 3 adults pay €10.

By bus
Bus routes that cover the entire island are probably the quickest, cheapest, and most eco friendly way to get around. There are three lines operated by three different companies. The buses are fairly old, but since distances are short, rides are rarely longer than 90 minutes. They're usually not too crowded and are very clean.

Buses run the main avenue and are conveniently accessible from major sites in Ponta Delgada. In-town bus services are handled by smaller mini-buses with the larger touring buses handling community-to-community travel on the island. Both services are accessible along Avenida D. Infante Henriques and can confuse the unfamiliar traveller. Schedules are available at bus stops and the tourist office.

See
Some of the best sights can be found on foot, and hiking is a popular activity on the island. Trail maps can be found at Trails Azores and the phone app, HikeMe Portugal is useful for on-the-go navigation.

Outdoor sport

 * Extreme sports are also popular, such as biking, boating, motor sports, water skiing, surfing, four wheeling, hanggliding, kayaking, whitewater rafting, yachting, ziplining, scuba diving, wind surfing, rock climbing.
 * Extreme sports are also popular, such as biking, boating, motor sports, water skiing, surfing, four wheeling, hanggliding, kayaking, whitewater rafting, yachting, ziplining, scuba diving, wind surfing, rock climbing.
 * Extreme sports are also popular, such as biking, boating, motor sports, water skiing, surfing, four wheeling, hanggliding, kayaking, whitewater rafting, yachting, ziplining, scuba diving, wind surfing, rock climbing.
 * Extreme sports are also popular, such as biking, boating, motor sports, water skiing, surfing, four wheeling, hanggliding, kayaking, whitewater rafting, yachting, ziplining, scuba diving, wind surfing, rock climbing.

Stay safe
There is very little crime on the island. Most crimes are drug-related and are generally localized to Ponta Delgada and Ribeira Grande. However, petty theft from vehicles does occur, so it is prudent to lock your car and not leave any valuables in sight, especially when parking at trail heads for an extended hike.

Exercise caution driving as roads are often narrow, with blind curves and steep inclines. Wandering livestock and poor lighting are also potential hazards. Pay close attention to any warning signs regarding inclines and avoid dirt or poorly designated roads that are unfamiliar as their conditions may deteriorate at a point in which it is too late to turn back and can cause serious damage to your vehicle. Some deteriorated roads are populated by thieves looking to pilfer from broken-down vehicles.

On the beaches, watch out for large waves and strong undertow currents and obey any lifeguards or warning flags which may be present. Unsurprisingly, the Azores, including São Miguel, contain one of the world's largest populations of the venomous Portuguese Man 'o War. The largest concentration of the jellyfish-like creatures appear in the spring, and they can be windswept into sheltered areas. Swimmers should be vigilant for plastic-bottle looking "floats" which may be tinged purple or blue, and be very wary of what lies below the ocean's surface as their tentacles extend an average of 8 feet away from the float, but can be as long as 46 m (156 feet). Their tentacles cause an extremely painful sting, even if the Man 'o War is dead. Never touch a Portuguese Man 'o War, even if it is washed up on the shore, and beware of tentacles hidden beneath the sand. If you are stung, do not touch the tentacles but apply ocean water to remove them from the skin. Do not apply fresh cold water and do not urinate on the stung area, as this will cause the sting to worsen. Also do not use an EpiPen as this can cause a dangerous reaction. Soaking the affected area in hot water mixed with Epsom salts is recommended, and if a severe envenomation is observed, such as difficulty breathing, disorientation, dizziness, or extreme pain, seek medical attention immediately.

Go next
Santa Maria, nicknamed "The Sun Island," is the southeasternmost island in the Azores. With white sand beaches and protected natural tidal pools, Santa Maria is one of the more popular islands for swimming. The small island is a thirty-minute flight or a three-hour boat ride from Ponta Delgada. Interisland flights can be booked on SATA Air Açores. Atlanticoline runs seasonal ferry service between Ponta Delgada and Vila do Porto, Santa Maria's marina, during the summer months.

Terceira, nicknamed "The Lilac Island," is a six-hour boat ride or 45-minute flight from Ponta Delgada. Unlike Santa Maria and São Miguel, which are rather spread out, Terceira is part of the Central Group of islands in the archipelago, along with Pico, Faial, São Jorge and Graciosa, which are closer together and easier to travel between.

title: São Miguel


text:
São Miguel das Missões

São Miguel das Missões in a city in the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul. It hosts the remains of one of the Jesuit Missions of the Guarani that are listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site

Get in
São Miguel is 485km far from Porto Alegre.

By plane
Carrier flights touch down at the airport of nearby city of Santo Ângelo. Flights to other states and countries usually change planes at Porto Alegre or São Paulo.

By bus
Comfortable and air-conditioned executive coaches are available from Porto Alegre and many other cities throughout Rio Grande do Sul state to cities near São Miguel das Missões. Buses generally stop at the bus station in Santo Ângelo on the "Viação Ouro e Prata" busline. Schedule from Porto Alegre is found on the Alegre Rodoviária (bus station) site and the Viação Ouro e Prata site.

Buses to São Miguel das Missões are available in the Santo Ângelo bus station.

By car
BR-116 North (Porto Alegre to Canoas) BR-386 Northwest (Canoas to Tio Hugo) RS-223/BR-377 West (Tio Hugo to Cruz Alta) RS-342 (Cruz Alta to Ijuí) BR-285/RS-342 (Ijuí to São Miguel das Missões)

Come prepared to understand the language of the road in Brazil. Passing, tailgating, speeding and signaling that you may do one of these things may be confusing to first time drivers.

See

 * The Light and Show Spectacular (Espectáculo de Som e Luz) occurs at dusk and explains the history of the Jesuits, Guarani Indians and the Portuguese and Spanish empires in this territory. You can also enjoy the blue starry nights in this remote region of the pampas during the presentation. You may even need a light jacket in the summertime to stay comfortable (remember that summer is from December to February in the southern hemisphere). Shows start for November, December and January: 9:30pm. Show start for February, March, April, August, September and October: 8:00pm. Show start for May, June and July: 7:00pm (wear a coat). Cost: R$5.00, R$2.50 with any domestic or international student ID, R$2.50 for seniors over 60 years of age. Purchase tickets at the archeological site entrance.
 * The Light and Show Spectacular (Espectáculo de Som e Luz) occurs at dusk and explains the history of the Jesuits, Guarani Indians and the Portuguese and Spanish empires in this territory. You can also enjoy the blue starry nights in this remote region of the pampas during the presentation. You may even need a light jacket in the summertime to stay comfortable (remember that summer is from December to February in the southern hemisphere). Shows start for November, December and January: 9:30pm. Show start for February, March, April, August, September and October: 8:00pm. Show start for May, June and July: 7:00pm (wear a coat). Cost: R$5.00, R$2.50 with any domestic or international student ID, R$2.50 for seniors over 60 years of age. Purchase tickets at the archeological site entrance.
 * The Light and Show Spectacular (Espectáculo de Som e Luz) occurs at dusk and explains the history of the Jesuits, Guarani Indians and the Portuguese and Spanish empires in this territory. You can also enjoy the blue starry nights in this remote region of the pampas during the presentation. You may even need a light jacket in the summertime to stay comfortable (remember that summer is from December to February in the southern hemisphere). Shows start for November, December and January: 9:30pm. Show start for February, March, April, August, September and October: 8:00pm. Show start for May, June and July: 7:00pm (wear a coat). Cost: R$5.00, R$2.50 with any domestic or international student ID, R$2.50 for seniors over 60 years of age. Purchase tickets at the archeological site entrance.

title: São Miguel das Missões