Waterfalls, historic farms and ecotourism
Surrounded by the Atlantic Rainforest, Bananal is located in a mountainous area at the base of Serra da Bocaina mountain range. Waterfalls such as Bracuí and Sete Quedas are an invitation to ecotourism activities.
The city was founded as a trade spot for drovers who brought gold from Minas Gerais state and later on became one of the greatest coffee producers in São Paulo state. From those days, Bananal conserves many traditional farms and manors, some of them listed by the Brazilian Heritage Sites.
In the well preserved historic center, with its beautiful row houses, visitors can see the oldest Brazilian pharmacy, still open at the same place since 1830.
Main attractions
Historic Center, Solar Aguiar Valim, Rail Station, Matriz, Rosário and Boa Morte Churches; Serra da Bocaina National Park; Farms: Resgate, dos Coqueiros, da Independência and Loanda; Estação Ecológica; Bracuí and Sete Quedas waterfalls; Cachaça Distilleries: Fazenda Resgatinho and Chácara Santa Inês; Trekking to Pedra do Frade; Recanto da Cachoeira Bathhouse.
Main events
Carnival (February/March), Holy Saturday, Saint Anne Feast (July), Patron Senhor Bom Jesus do Livramento Feast (August), Our Lady of the Glory Feast), Motorcyclist meeting, (September).
Services
City Hall: www.bananal.sp.gov.br
Tourist Office: (55 + 12) 8829-1146
Getting there
Bananal is 345 km from São Paulo.
Car: Via Dutra (BR-116) until km 36 and then take Rodovia dos Tropeiros.
Bus: Pássaro Marron - www.passaromarron.com.br - Phone: 0800-2853047
Buses depart from Terminal Rodoviário Tietê (São Paulo - SP).
Hotels and Restaurants
Accommodation
Hotel Fazenda Boa Vista - Rod. dos Tropeiros, Km 327 - Rancho Grande - (55 + 12) 3116-1230 and 3116-1539
Hotel Fazenda 3 Barras - Rodovia dos Tropeiros, Km 22 - (55 + 12) 3116-1356
Pousada Castor - Rua Pedro Humberto Bruno, 123 – Centro - (55 + 12) 3116-1216 (55 + 21) 2113-3008
Pousada Trilha do Ouro - Rua Manoel de Aguiar, 155 – Centro - (55 + 12) 3116-5437
Pousada Quintas dos Bosques - Av. João de Godoy Macedo, 1510 - (55 + 12) 3116-1499
Pousada da Terra - Access on km 28 of Bocaina Road - SP 247 Sertão da Bocaina 32 km (11 on dirt road) - (55 + 24) 3363-1774 – (55 + 24) 99834486
Dining
Restaurante 418 - Praça Rubião Jr., Centro - (55 + 12) 3116-5418
Restaurante Casarão Andrade - Praça Pedro Ramos, 81 - Centro - (55 + 12) 3116-1489
Habeas Copos - Rua Dr. José Rangel de Almeida, 40 – Centro - (55 + 12) 3116-5667
Recanto do Espigão – Brasileirinho - Rua Manoel de Aguiar, 66 – Centro - (55 + 12) 3116-1532
Taberna do Tião - Av. João de Godoi Macedo, 1521 - Bairro Paulo Macedo - (55 + 12) 3116-5549
Restaurante e Pizzaria Bananal - Rua Ernani Graça, 28 - (12) 3116-1131 e 3116-5470
