The South of São Paulo
PETAR, Ilha Comprida and Iguape
PETAR (Parque Estadual Turístico Alta Ribeira)
In the south of the state São Paulo was founded a national park in the year 1958, which is nowadays part of UNESCO – world heritage. It is the largest area of Atlantic Rainforest (Mata Atlântica), with many waterfalls, also Quilombos (settlements of slaves that flew) and about 300 caves, of which twelve can be visited. Some of them have rivers, and the cave Casa de Pedra has the largest entry with a height of 215m. It can be visited, but not entered.
An unique flora and fauna expects the visitor in this region: bromelias, orchidees, fruits, monkees, many other animals and birds. You have the possibility to see everything by foot (as the caves and waterfalls), but also sportive activities await you: swimming in the natural swimming pools under waterfalls, boia-cross (on a river on floating tires), descending waterfalls and tours by bike.
You may not enter the park alone, you do need a guide (called monitor) that accompanies up to eight persons. A booking in time is better as also the daily number of visitors in the caves is limited
The region has cheap and rather simple guest houses, being in the nature. As not highly developed for tourism yet it is better to make a reservation in advance, especially at long weekends or during vacations.
Optimal is a stay of three to four days. You need shoes for walking (tennis shoes for example), trousers and torches would be good, too.
The main attractions are at the road Iporanga – Apiai. Close to PETAR, in the city Apiai are the rests of an old gold mill, which is museum nowadays.
Ilha Compida and Iguape
Also interesting is a tour to Ilha Comprida (Long Islandl) at the south coast of the state of São Paulo, which is about three hours of driving away from PETAR and also Sao Paulo. And, different as at the north coast of São Paulo there are only simple but comfortable guest houses available.
There you have the possibility to watch botos (dolphins), which live in the ocean as well as in rivers.
Iguape is one of the oldest cities of Brazil, it was Spanish in the beginning until the contract of Tordesilhas. Finding gold in the region the city grew very fast, in the 17th century here was produced the first Brazilian money. After the gold rush the city survived by planting a very good rice, which was exported to Europe. It is said that each week ten ships with rice left for Europe. When shortening the way to the sea port by a channel, the river Ribeira left a lot of sand in the harbor, which meant the end of the importance of Iguape. Today, Iguape with its basilica and historic center is a place to relax, life is passing slow there.
Links to the region of Iguape
Hotels
Especially in this region we offer a package with an English speaking guide and a car as it is not very easy without some knowledge of portuguese. We can arrange everything, the search and booking for a hotel as well as the transfer to and from the region or to other places in Brazil.
Gamboa Eco Refugio
Hi folks!
In the last year I visited the Ilha Comprida 4 times and I experienced a lot of it and of the places around it. I just have to say that the place is like paradise. As far as I am concerned, you might call the unique nature, with rainforest on the mainland and one of the biggest beaches on the island. You could also refer to the unique dune area on the island.
For you are describing the whole area, I really miss a recommandation to visit the town of Cananeia! And if people want to go there and talk to locals in English, let them visit the bistro “Farolito” on the Avenida Princesa Isabel 767 in Iguape. The owners speak very good English and they serve splendid food. Last time I was there (last February) they planned to have some guestrooms too!
Also call Iguape the capital of “Polo ecoturistico do Lagamar”. Their office on the Rua XV Novembro 131 in Iguape is also a place of exhibition and they welcome everybody to visit it.
And also good to know: Lots of fishermen will be happy to take people for a tour on the Ribeira for two hours, four hours or an entire day. You will see overwhelming nature and many many animals, especially birds and, of course water wildlife!