5 Best Sights in Campos do Jordão, Side Trips from São Paulo

A wonderful little train departs from Estação Ferroviária Emílio Ribas for tours of the city and its environs, including the 47-km (29-mile) trip to Reino das Águas Claras, where there's a park with waterfalls and models of Monteiro Lobato's characters (Lobato is a well-loved children's-book author). Be sure to book in advance.

Horto Florestal is a natural playground for macacos-prego (nail monkeys), squirrels, and parrots, as well as people. The park has a trout-filled river, waterfalls, and trails—all set among trees from around the world and one of the last araucária (Brazilian pine) forests in the state.

Outside town a chairlift ride to the top of Morro do Elefante is a good way to enjoy the view from a 5,850-foot height.

Palácio Boa Vista, the official winter residence of the state's governor, has paintings by such famous Brazilian modernists as Di Cavalcanti, Portinari, Volpi, Tarsila do Amaral, and Anita Malfatti. On the same property, the Capela de São Pedro (São Pedro Chapel) has sacred art from the 17th and 18th centuries.

Tours need to be booked in advance.

Open 365 days a year, the Parque Amantikir consists of 26 gardens that are home to 700 different plant species. On the grounds you can find a cafeteria and a learning center, where there are courses on gardening.