Serra Negra

At 4,265 feet above sea level in the Serra da Mantiqueira, Serra Negra attracts hordes of paulistanos and cruising motorbike fans looking for a bucolic weekend break in the mountains. In addition to various mineral water fountains, there is the Coffee Route, where you can drive through thousands of acres of coffee fields until you reach Cachoeira dos Sonhos (Dreams Waterfall), where it’s possible to swim and have a snack. You can also head over to Alto da Serra, the town’s highest point, where paragliding aficionados gather on the weekends. To get there, follow the signs from Avenida João Gerosa and drive up Rua 14 de Julho all the way past Hotel São Mateus, until you reach an unpaved road on the left that will lead to the top. The main shopping street in Serra Negra is Rua Coronel Pedro Penteado, where you can find plenty of knitwear, leather bags, and clothing, as well as sweets and cheeses of all kinds. The town center is small enough to be explored by foot.