Essentials
- City
- Campos do Jordão, São Paulo, Brazil
- Population
- Approximately 53,000
- Internet Speed
- 100-300 Mbps via fiber optics (Vivo Fibra and Desktop are main providers)
- Currency & Banking
- 1 USD ≈ 5.00 BRL (Brazilian Real). Major banks include Itaú, Bradesco, and Santander on Av. Frei Orestes Girardi.
- Tap Water
- Not recommended for drinking; buy bottled water or use filters (brinkable but high mineral content)
- Power
- 110V/127V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type N sockets (three-pronged)
- SIM Card
- Vivo and Claro offer the best mountain coverage. Get a SIM at the 'Banca do Tico' or official stores in Abernéssia.
- Banking for Expats
- Nubank, Revolut (limited), and Wise are widely accepted; ATM withdrawals at Banco24Horas.
- Accommodation
- High-end chalets and Airbnbs. Monthly rentals range from R$ 3,500 to R$ 8,000.
- Cashless Friendly
- Extremely high; PIX and Credit Cards are accepted even by street vendors.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb and Booking.com are dominant, especially in the Capivari district.
- Budget Accommodation
- Hostel Wanderlust (R$ 90/night) located near the center.
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Vila Capivari for nightlife, restaurants, and pedestrian access to attractions.
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Vila Abernéssia or Jardim Belvedere for better prices, quietude, and proximity to services/supermarkets.
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Work & Coffee (Av. Frei Orestes Girardi, 1121). Rates around R$ 80/day.
- Best Cafe for Work
- Sans Souci Bistro & Café. Excellent Wi-Fi, cozy atmosphere, and great pastry.
- Networking Events
- Occasional meetups during the Winter Festival (July); otherwise, informal networking at Baden Baden.
- Social Events for Expats
- Expats in Brazil Facebook group; local 'English Speakers in Campos' WhatsApp groups.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Uber is available but scarce during peak season; 99App is a local alternative.
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Rent a Bike (Capivari) approx. R$ 40 per hour for mountain bikes.
- Best Beach Nearby
- Ubatuba, roughly 160km (3 hours) down the mountain via SP-125.
- Top Regional Airline
- Azul Brazilian Airlines (flying into SJC - São José dos Campos).
- Top International Airline
- LATAM or United (flying into GRU - São Paulo International, 2 hours away).
- Highway Access
- Rodovia Floriano Rodrigues Pinheiro (SP-123) is the main access road.
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Emilio Ribas Station (Tramway/Tourist Train) and the Abernéssia Bus Terminal.
- Public Transport Passes
- Vitorina Bus cards; single fares cost approx. R$ 5.00.
- Regional Travel
- Pássaro Marron buses connect to São Paulo (R$ 75) and São José dos Campos (R$ 35).
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Hospital Complexo de Saúde de Campos do Jordão (Vila Abernéssia).
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Espaço Quintal do Ser (Yoga and Meditation) near Alto da Boa Vista.
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Academia Physical Fitness (Vila Abernéssia). Monthly pass approx. R$ 150.
- Laundry Services
- Lavanderia 5àsec in the Pátio Abernéssia mall.
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- iFood is the dominant app; local delivery from restaurants like Pastellone.
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Pinhão (Pine Nuts) prepared in various ways, and Trout (Truta) with almonds.
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Alquimia (Vegetarian/Vegan) inside the Hotel Serra da Estrela.
- Best Dessert Spots
- Chocolate Araucária for artisanal bonbons and hot chocolate.
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Mercado Municipal in Abernéssia for fresh produce and local cheeses.
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Mercado Livre (1-2 day delivery) and Amazon.com.br.
- Grocery Delivery
- Pão de Açúcar via their mobile app or iFood.
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Vila Capivari, specifically around the Baden Baden Brewery.
- Local Brewery
- Cervejaria Baden Baden (Tour price approx. R$ 60).
- Wine Bars
- Gato Preto Wine Bar (Vila Capivari) featuring Brazilian and Argentine wines.
- Street Food Stalls
- The 'Pastel do Maluf' in Capivari (R$ 35 for a massive pastel).
- Popular International Cuisine
- Ludwig Restaurant (Swiss/French Fondue) and Restaurante Libertango (Argentine Grill).
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Amantikir Park (Gardens) and the Morro do Elefante view point.
- Museums & Art Venues
- Felícia Leirner Museum (Outdoor sculpture museum in the forest).
- Historical Sites
- Palácio Boa Vista (The Governor's winter palace).
- Religious Sites
- Monastery of Saint John (Mosteiro de São João) for Benedictine chants.
- Annual Events
- Winter Music Festival (Festival de Inverno) in July (Classical Music).
- Cultural Districts
- Vila Capivari (Architecture mimicking Swiss villages).
- Theater Venues
- Auditório Claudio Santoro (home to the Winter Festival).
- Local Markets
- Feira de Artesanato (Craft Market) in Capivari.
- Music Scene
- Live jazz and blues at Mercearia Campos during weekends.
- Street Art
- Few murals located in the Abernéssia commercial district.
- Cooking Classes
- Senac Campos do Jordão offers short culinary workshops.
- Art Galleries
- Galeria de Arte Jacques Ardies (occasional exhibitions).
- Historic Buildings
- Estrada de Ferro Campos do Jordão (Historic Railway architecture).
- Local Heritage
- Strong influence of German and Swiss immigrants in the 'Brazilian Switzerland'.
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Horto Florestal (State Park) with hiking trails and waterfalls.
- National Parks Nearby
- Itatiaia National Park (roughly 2.5 hours away).
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The paved cycling track along the railway tracks connecting Abernéssia and Capivari.
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Pico do Itapeva (2,030m) for views of the Paraíba Valley.
- Birdwatching Locations
- Lajeadinho area within the Horto Florestal.
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Private chalets in Jardim do Embaixador usually include fire pits.
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Correios (Post Office) in Abernéssia; Loggi for fast city courier.
- Tech Repair Services
- S.O.S Computadores (Av. Januário Miraglia).
- Table Tennis Spots
- Tênis Clube de Campos do Jordão (Private membership usually required).
- Language Classes
- Wizard by Pearson for English/Portuguese lessons.
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Biblioteca Municipal Prof. Harry Mauritz Cassimiro.
- Community Centers
- Centro de Convivência da Melhor Idade (offers community workshops).
- Gaming Lounges
- None; most gaming culture is decentralized or in Private LAN houses.
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Legal gambling is restricted in Brazil; only horse racing and lotteries.
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. R$ 12,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = R$ 480,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. R$ 8,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = R$ 340,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. R$ 11,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = R$ 660,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. R$ 7,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = R$ 450,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. R$ 10,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = R$ 800,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. R$ 7,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = R$ 560,000)
- Corporate Tax
- Between 15% and 25% (plus social contribution on net profit).
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 0% (current Brazilian law exempts dividends, though reform is discussed).
- Tax System
- Worldwide income basis for residents.
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 27.5%
- VAT
- ICMS (State) varies by product, approx. 18%; New VAT reforms being implemented (IBS/CBS).
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, strict rules for Brazilian residents holding offshore companies.
- Property Tax
- IPTU, based on the market value of the property, paid annually.
- Property Transaction Tax
- ITBI, usually around 2% to 3% of the property value.
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Brazil Digital Nomad Visa allows for 1 year stay with remote work status; tax residency kicks in after 183 days.