Brazil: 10 destinations to enjoy the cold, from the south to the northeast – 05/31/2023 – Tourism

Even though it is a tropical country, Brazil has such a surprising geography that it provides good travel experiences even for tourists who prefer a colder climate.

In the sixth chapter of the series of reports on one hundred unmissable places to visit in Brazil, the Sheet lists destinations to enjoy the cold eating, drinking, enjoying the traditional winter festivals or simply contemplating nature —in the South, Southeast and even the Northeast. Discover the locations below.

Guaramiranga (CE)

Between the coast and the hinterland of Ceará, the Serra do Baturité exceeds 1,000 meters in altitude, making this city, 122 km from Fortaleza, one of the coldest in the Northeast. With lows that reach 13ºC between July and November, Guaramiranga has a cultural life full of festivals. In addition to going to the Jesuit Monastery, one of the oldest buildings in the place, it is essential to contemplate the mountain range from Pico Alto, the second highest in the state.
The city is 122 km from Fortaleza, via CE-060 and CE-356

Sand (PB)

Those who go to Campina Grande have a lot to gain by setting aside a few days to get to know the friendly Areia, about 50 km away. At the top of Serra da Borborema, at an altitude of more than 600 m, the city —where Pedro Américo, who painted “Independence or Death”—was born, registers 12ºC in winter. No wonder it is part of Caminhos do Frio, a route that takes music, art, gastronomy and ecotourism to the winter of Brejo Paraibano.
Areia is 48 km from Campina Grande and 128 km from João Pessoa

Garanhuns (PE)

In the winter in Pernambuco Switzerland, fog takes over the city and the thermometers reach 17ºC. That’s when Mestre Dominguinhos square hosts the famous Winter Festival, with big names in national music. Since 2020, it is also possible to visit Vale das Colinas, the first winery in the agreste, and taste wines from one of the newest areas of Brazilian production.
Garanhuns is 230 km from Recife and 170 km from Maceió

Domingos Martins (ES)

With temperatures that can get close to zero, the city is a winter refuge full of attractions in the mountains of Espírito Santo. The postcard is Pedra Azul, a rock almost 800 m high that changes color according to the incidence of sunlight. This year, from the 14th to the 23rd of July, another edition of its Winter Festival will take place, with free presentations of classical and popular music in the streets.
Domingos Martins is 45km from Vitória, via BR-262

Petropolis (RJ)

When the heat in Rio de Janeiro was too intense, the Brazilian court took refuge in this region. The mild climate that enchanted the royal family to this day attracts thousands of tourists in search of a connection with nature (the place is one of the entrances to the Serra dos Órgãos National Park) in the midst of a historic tour, which includes the House of Princess Isabel , the Imperial Museum and the Quitandinha Palace —built to be the largest casino hotel in South America, but which today houses a Sesc and also its Winter Festival, one of the main events in the city.
Petrópolis is 68 km from Rio de Janeiro, via BR-040

Campos do Jordão (SP)

In the most famous winter destination in São Paulo, which this year has already recorded 3.9ºC, Swiss architecture, haute cuisine and luxury hotels predominate, which form the perfect setting to relax and eat well in front of the fireplace. But there are other options, such as Tarundu Park, with ice skating and zip lines (tickets from R$35 and activities paid separately). Or, still, the mountain trails with different levels of difficulty and the train rides.
The city is 175 km from São Paulo, via BR-116 and SP-123

Maria da Fe (MG)

Those who prefer a more “rooted” and accessible destination than Campos do Jordão need not go far. Close by, still in Serra da Mantiqueira, is the coldest city in Minas Gerais, at almost 1,300 m. Maria da Fé is witnessing, as well as other municipalities in the region, the expansion of olive groves for the production of olive oil — which are a great tour. The city even gave its name to a national variety of olive. Despite always registering negative temperatures, the winter festival of Maria da Fé is still in its 11th edition, which takes place from the 14th to the 16th and from the 21st to the 23rd of July.
The city is 280 km from São Paulo, via BR-116 and SP-459

Cunha (SP)

The low temperatures of this small town in the Paraíba valley, which can reach less than 10ºC, earned it the title of Climatic Resort. There, any walk up the mountain in the late afternoon leads to a stunning sunset, which is worth contemplating with a good local wine. There are also other tours, such as the famous laundry (R$ 20), tasting artisanal breads and cheeses from Fazenda Aracatu and discovering the production of the Wolkenburg brewery.
Access via the SP-171 highway, 52 km from Guaratinguetá and 47 km from Paraty

San Joaquim (SC)

If you’ve ever seen images of frozen fields and snow in the mountains of Santa Catarina on TV, they were probably recorded in São Joaquim, the highest, and consequently coldest city in the south of the country —in the last month of August, the thermometers reached -7 .6ºC. To withstand and enjoy so much cold, it is worth investing in good accommodation and restaurants, embarking on a tour of the wineries around the city and taking advantage of the festivals, such as the winter one, which runs from June to August. The National Apple Festival, the city’s symbol-fruit, takes place this year from September 7th to 10th.
São Joaquim is 233 km from Florianópolis and 150 km from Jaguaruna

San Francisco de Paula (RS)

Gramado is one of the best-known winter destinations in the country — however, little is known that São Chico is about 45 km away, a good alternative to escape the hustle and bustle of its more famous neighbors in the mountains of Rio Grande do Sul. With just over 20,000 inhabitants, the place invites contemplation, whether around Lake São Bernardo, the city’s postcard, or on a trail that passes by eight waterfalls. In the center, it’s worth getting lost in the Miragem bookshop before a good wine.
The city is 120 km from Porto Alegre and 136 km from Caxias do Sul