Many adventurers dream of entering the dense Amazon rainforest and experiencing everything it has to offer, but why not give a chance to tours closer to the capital of São Paulo that deliver all the natural beauty and biodiversity in the same way? The Ribeira Valley, in the southern region of the state of São Paulo, has been attracting more and more attention from travelers who enjoy getaways in the middle of nature.
The large Atlantic Forest reserve is a place for many discoveries and activities such as rafting, trail or animal observation. As a result, it can surprise both the most relaxed and the most extreme tourists. As well as delivering a unique experience!
Towns and attractions to explore in the Ribeira Valley:
P.E.T.A.R
With exuberant waterfalls, caves and trails, the Alto do Ribeira Tourist State Park is a must for those who enjoy adventures in the middle of nature. The area is so large that it has been divided into four nuclei to aid visitation, which, by the way, should always be carried out with a local guide.
📍 Highway SP-165, Km 156 (Between the towns of Iporanga and Apiaí)
Cardoso Island
Located in Cananéia, on the south coast of São Paulo, the Ilha do Cardoso State Park is the place to go for those looking to observe the rarities of nature for example, extraordinary species such as the yellow-bellied caiman and the red-faced parrot.
📍 Professor Vladimir Besnard Street – Morro São João
Eldorado
The municipality of Eldorado is full of secret places to discover, such as Vale das Ostras, Salto da Usina, Cachoeira do Sapatu, Quilombo de Ivoporunduva and the most attractive of all, the Devil’s Cave. The region is also great for birdwatchers, as its biodiversity is huge.
Registration
Known as “the Brazilian capital of tea“, this small town welcomed Japanese immigrants in the last century and today, welcomes tourists to taste the millenary delicacy of the Japanese japanese culture. There, as well as tasting the drink, you can also learn how the harvest works on a traditional producer’s farm. The tour is similar to the popular “wine routes” in São Paulo, but with plants and herbs for infusion.
📍 Shimada site: Avenida R. Dr. Sizenando de Carvalho, 101 – Registro | Amaya Chás: Bamburral Road, km 07 – Registro | Sitio Yamamaru: Estrada da Raposa, KM 14 – Sete Barras
Legacy of the Waters
The 31,000-hectare reserve in the Ribeira Valley is the perfect place for ecotourism. In Legacy of the Waters you can go hiking or cycling, kayaking and even rafting.
📍 Rodovia Régis Bittencourt, 349 – Santa Rita do Ribeira
