Legends, waterfalls and mountains
Joanópolis is called the Jewel of Mantiqueira, with highlights to the peaks of Mantiqueira mountain range. Among them, Pico do Carmo (1,900 meters above sea level), Selado (2,070 meters high) and Gigante Adormecido (Sleeping Giant) (1,725 meters high), which has the outline of a lying man.
Don’t find it strange if you see t-shirts, caps and stickers with the curious picture of a werewolf, a folklore character of the town.
Among the town’s main attractions, travelers will find the Pretos waterfall, with 154 meters and good infrastructure for tourists. The reservoir formed by the Jaguari and Jacareí Rivers also features good options for the entire family.
Main attractions
Pretos Waterfall, Gigante Adormecido Mountain, Pico do Selado, Reservoir created by the dam of the Jaguari and Jacareí Rivers, Pedra do Carmo.
Main events
Meeting of Beetles (Fuscas) and Saint Sebastian Feast (January), Our Lady of the Light Feast (February), Carnival (February/March), Water Pilgrimage (March), Holy Spirit Feast (April), Holy Spirit and Saint Sebastian Feasts (May), Saint John the Baptist Feast and City Anniversary (June), Arts, Gastronomy and Leisure Festival and Festival of the Nations (August), Meeting of Guitar Players and Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (September).
Services
City Hall: www.joanopolis.sp.gov.br
Tourist Office: (55 + 11) 4888-9204
Bus Station: (55 + 11) 4539-9456
Getting there
Joanópolis is 124 km from São Paulo.
Car: Rod. Fernão Dias (BR-381) until you get to Atibaia, then take SP-065 until you reach Bom Jesus dos Perdões. Turn left on SP-036, driving through Piracaia.
Bus: Viação Atibaia - www.viacaoatibaia.com.br - Phone: 0800-166444
Buses depart from Terminal Rodoviário Tietê (São Paulo - SP).
Hotels and Restaurants
Accommodation
Resort Monte das Oliveiras - Estrada entre Serras e Águas, Km 8- Vargem-Joanópolis/SP - (55 + 11) 4598-4000 - www.hotelmontedasoliveiras.com.br
Hotel Fazenda Santa Rita - Estr. Cecília Bertholini km 4,5 - (55 + 11) 5574 - 1242 / (55 + 11) 5084 - 2863 - Reservations - www.pousada-sp.com.br
Solar das Palmeiras - Estrada entre Serras e Águas Km 11 - (55 + 11) 7140-2945 / 4539-2686 - contato@solardaspalmeiras.com.br / reservas@solardaspalmeiras.com.br - www.solardaspalmeiras.com.br
Pousada Varanda do Sol - (55 + 11) 4539-2842/ 4539-3171 and 99544-4648 - contato@pousadavarandadosol.com.br / varandadosol@yahoo.com.br - www.pousadavarandadosol.com.br
Pousada e Eco Resort Monte Leone - (55 + 11) 4034-3441 / (55 + 11) 9971-1580 / (55 + 11) 4539-3385 / (55 + 11) 9721-6711 - www.pousadamonteleone.com.br
Hotel Ponto de Luz - Estrada Sertãozinho, s/n - (55 + 11) 4539-3112 / 3226 / 9382 - reservas@hotelpontodeluz.com.br - www.hotelpontodeluz.com.br/
Dining
Cantina Provincia Di Lucca - Estrada da Cachoeira dos Pretos, Km 01 - (55 + 11) 4539-9938 - André: (55 +11) 8309-5407 - www.joanopolis.com.br/provinciadilucca/
Restaurante o Caipirão (Self-service) - R. Cel. Alípio Cardoso, Km 1 - www.restauranteocaipirao.com.br/
Restaurante A Moda da Casa (Self-service) - Rua Francisco Wohlers, 404 - (55 + 11) 4539-7053/ (55 + 11) 95569-6782
Bar e Restaurante Pedrão - Estrada da Cachoeira dos Pretos, Km 16 - (55 + 11) 4539-3439
Restaurante D’Paula - Centro - (55 + 11) 4539-8950 Mobile: (55 + 11) 97441-3314
Villa Bar, Restaurante e Pizzaria - Rua Prof. João Candelária Sobrinho 137- Centro (55 + 11) 4539-7457 - (55 + 11) 4539-7786