If you, like me, like to get away from the hustle of the big city to enjoy nature with your family, today’s column can help you.
With July vacations arriving, the search for nearby destinations for a getaway with the kids increases. AND sprouts at the countryside of São Paulo is a great option.
I have an affective relationship with the city, as it is a tradition in my family to go there every Easter holiday.
Brotas is located in the center of the state of São Paulo, at 250km from the capital of São Paulo , and getting there is very easy, as the highways are doubled and safe. Access from the capital is via the Washington Luís Highway (SP 310).
accommodation
I stayed at Villa Maria Brotas a charming inn that is located in a property that is over 50 years old and has few rooms, in addition to belonging to a very dear family.
Located a few meters from Brotas’s main postcard, Parque dos Saltos, and close to the main restaurants and adventure agencies, the rooms are spacious, the service is super attentive and the structure has a swimming pool and jacuzzi, in addition to a pleasant garden and a breakfast worthy of a soap opera.
Some other hosting suggestions are: Frangipani Hotel Boutique ; O Hotel Fazenda Areia que Canta – which also stands out with a park and a large structure for nature walks within the property itself; O Hotel Fazenda Jacauna ; and the Hostel Estalagem de Brotas .
Where to eat and drink in Brotas
I had a good experience at Vicino della Nonna , an Italian restaurant that has been in existence since 2006 in the center of Brotas. The tip here is to try the eggplant for starters (R$45), in which the slices come with sugo sauce and are gratin with Parmesan cheese.
At the house, I also had a delicious rack of lamb with mint sauce (R$115) accompanied by gorgonzola risotto and a pasta stuffed with semi-cured cheese with a homemade sausage ragu.
Also worth a trip to Zen sprouts , a restaurant in the middle of nature near the Cassorova Ecoparque that serves a variety of dishes, such as pasta, meat and appetizers to be shared. It is a great space to take a break, eat a delicious meal and enjoy its large garden.
For craft beer lovers, the stop is at Beer sprouts pub with award-winning beers of the brand produced locally and that can be tasted from various taps – there are from pilsen, red ale, apa, ipa, bock, among others.
Combining a restaurant with an antique shop and an orchid store, the Vila Del Capo it is also a good stop and an attraction in its own right. The place, which is located between São Pedro and Brotas, serves pasta, risotto, meat and fish. The main courses include starters and desserts, and the tone here is slow food. It is worth mentioning that pets are also welcome.
Up for a snack? Worth the stop at From Roça Brotas , which prepares traditional snacks and house sandwiches, such as chicken cubes with provolone, catupiry cheese and mozzarella on French bread (R$32); the pork sausage with cut cheese (R$ 32) and the one with ground flank steak (R$ 34). Be sure to try the house mayonnaise, which can be purchased and even ordered.
Interestingly, the business also has a food truck – called Truck da Roça – that parks in some periods in São Paulo and region.
How about finishing with an ice cream? I go from childhood to Bejupri ice cream shop in the center, which has some classic delicacies, such as meringue and sundae, in addition to ice cream in the cones and popsicles of various flavors – such as orange with pieces of fruit.
Things to do in Brotas
Activities and Agencies
known as the adventure capital because of its varied programs that stir our adrenaline, Brotas is a city full of options that follow a radical line – but that can be enjoyed by the whole family.
Here, we dive headfirst into the ecotourism . Activities like rafting, zip lining, horseback riding, canyoning, tree climbing, trails, waterfall baths, buoy cross and mountain bike tours are some of the main attractions.
All these tours can – and should – be done alongside certified operators, who have experience in offering the activities in a safe way. There are several scattered around the city.
This time, I hired the services of Canoe Wild Territory , which offers packages for the most typical programs in Brotas – some can even be closed through the website itself before leaving home. The headquarters is next to Parque dos Saltos and this time I took a rafting tour – one of the great attractions in the city, which, on average, starts at R$120.
Among the best options, I also highlight the agencies Alaya Brotas , reference in adventure; The Nautical Cow , one of the pioneers; and the EcoAction Sprouts rafting specialist.
Sights and parks
In addition to the activities carried out in the exuberant nature of the city, which is a tourist resort in the state of São Paulo, some tourist spots are almost mandatory to have a complete taste of the region.
A good start is Parque dos Saltos , one of Brotas’ postcards which is very close to the center. Free admission, the Jacaré-Pepira River cuts through the city and forms some waterfalls and rapids.
Taking advantage of such differences, a small dam was built that forms a waterfall – where the famous suspension bridge of Brotas is located. In the park it is still possible to follow some trails, enjoy the waters, the sounds of nature and even take some good family photos.
Well known for his scientific studies involving astronomy and geology, the CEU Foundation – Center for the Study of the Universe it is an enriching program. The mix between fun for the little ones and a lot of knowledge for all ages makes the place one of the most special corners of Brotas.
Here we find the observatory with telescopes where, in favorable weather conditions, it is possible to observe the Moon, planets, clusters and even galaxies. There is also a digital planetarium, educational workshops, a solar clock, a small replica of Stonehenge and an outdoor screen with a show that narrates the geological transformations of the Earth.
For the general public, tours start at 9:00 pm and continue until 11:15 pm. On cloudy days or rainy weather, digital activities give way to observation and a return voucher is given to be used on clearer days. Tickets range from R$ 70 (full) and R$ 35 (half), and children up to 4 years old do not pay – it is recommended to schedule the visit, which can be done via site.
Part of the Cassorova Hotel Boutique property, the Cassorova EcoParque It has a neat structure and adventure activities such as canyoning, tree climbing, zip-lining and stand-up paddle. The park has two beautiful waterfalls, Cassorova and Quatis, the first with an impressive 60 meters high and the other with about 46 meters.
Good points for abseiling, they also form natural pools at their bases that guarantee us refreshing baths. O day use of the park starts at around R$ 200 – boutique hotel guests have free access.
Another ecological park with a large structure that welcomes families and that is worth visiting in Brotas is the Nook of the Waterfalls , located at the top of Serra da Roseira. Once again, nature reigns here, with the right to a leisure structure integrated into the natural space.
Swimming pool, quadricycle, stand-up paddle, tree climbing, trails, waterfalls, horseback riding and privileged views from some viewpoints are some of the attractions. O day use starts from R$ 150 – there are some activities that pay separately and combos.
Source: CNN Brasil
