The Best Day Trips From So Paulo

Just a few kilometres from bustling São Paulo lie many places of stunning natural beauty – with adrenaline-pumping activities – that will keep you both on your toes and at one with the wilderness. If you want to get away from the crowded city streets, try these seven destinations where you can spend the day, enjoy the fresh air and restore your energy at once.

Socorro

The city of Socorro is only 130 kilometers (80 miles) from São Paulo and offers lots of interesting activities for those seeking adventure. In addition to kayaking, canoeing and mountain climbing, one of the most interesting attractions is the Gruta do Anjo, a former mining cave. You can rent pedal boats to enter the cave and explore the surroundings.

Gruta do Anjo, Estrada Socorro/Munhuz, Rancho Alegre, Socorro, São Paulo Brazil

2. Zu Lai Temple

Buddhist Temple

For those who want to spend a more reflective day, the Zu Lai Temple, located less than 30 minutes from São Paulo, is the place to go. It is the biggest Buddhist temple in South America, with beautiful gardens and temples, and worth a visit even for those uninterested in meditation classes, which seem to spring up on Sunday out of nowhere, with visitors invited to join in. Visitation hours for non-Buddhists are Tuesday–Friday from 12PM–5PM and Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from 9AM-5PM.

Templo Zu Lai, Fernando Nobre 1461, Cotia, São Paulo, Brazil, +55 11 3500 3600

Zu Lai Temple, São Paulo | © Eliane Kobayakawa/Flickr

3. Wine route in São Roque

Although not as famous as the wine produced in the Southern region of Brazil, the varietals processed here in São Roque are so popular with São Paulo residents that the city created a wine route with 31 establishments open for visitation and wine tasting. Between January and February these wineries allow visitors to go out to the grape vines, pick their own grapes and “produce” their own wine the old-fashioned way: by squishing the grapes with their bare feet. In October the wineries offer a wine tasting festival along with the region’s production of artichokes.

Rota do Vinho, Rodovia Raposo Tavares, km 56,6, São Roque, São Paulo, Brazil

Grape Plantation São Roque | © Vinicula Goes

4. Embu das Artes

Store

A haven for painters, sculptors, writers and musicians who have fled the noisy, crowded city of São Paulo, Embu das Artes is today a mega arts and crafts complex, where you can find everything from pottery to hand-woven textiles, poetry readings and writers selling their books on street corners, and musicians playing jazz and blues in doorways. There is a vast selection of artisans from all over Brazil, with their studios open to visitors.

Crafts store at Embu das Artes São Paulo | © Dennis Ramos/Flickr

5. Balloon rides

Known as the skydive capital of Brazil, Boituva has received a lot of press exposure for its balloon trips over the region. For those scared of heights, Boituva is still a beautiful place to visit, with its rolling hills and beautiful landscape. The balloon rides last anywhere from 30 to 50 minutes and you usually have to confirm the trip the night before, due to changing weather conditions. If you prefer to skydive, there is a center specialized in the sport with certified instructors. The city has the only “airport” totally devoted to skydiving and paragliding in Brazil. The balloon tours also depart from nearby.

Balloon Rides, Rua Dr. Newton Raul Faria de Almeida 81, Cidade Jardim, Boituva, São Paulo, Brazil, +55 15 3263 4544

Balloon ride in Boituva | © Dennis Fidalgo/Flickr

6. Guarujá

Of the many beaches along the state of São Paulo’s coastline, Guarujá is the one often chosen by tourists from São Paulo city who want to spend a day at the beach. Approximately two hours from the capital, the beachfront offers a wide selection of restaurants and bars which quickly fill up in the afternoon. The white sand and relatively calm waters attract both beachgoers and those looking to practice water sports.

Guaruja Beach São Paulo | © Kitty Mamba/Flickr

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.