Brazil's tech hub in São Paulo state, home to aerospace giant Embraer and the country's largest church, the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception.
São José dos Campos sits in São Paulo state's Paraíba Valley, 80 km from São Paulo city. The city houses Brazil's main space research center INPE and the Brazilian Aerospace Memorial, where you can see actual spacecraft and satellites. Located between São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, you can use the city as a starting point to explore the Serra da Mantiqueira mountains or take day trips to São Paulo's northern coast. Walk through the Atlantic Forest at Augusto Ruschi Biological Reserve or visit the Japanese garden at Santos Dumont Park.
Getting to São José dos Campos
You can reach the city by taking an 80-minute bus ride from São Paulo, or drive along the Presidente Dutra highway. São José dos Campos Airport connects to São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro with multiple daily flights Monday through Friday, with reduced weekend schedules. Business travelers make up most of the airport traffic, but the terminal also serves tourists exploring the Paraíba Valley region.
Parks and Natural Areas
Santos Dumont Park includes a Japanese garden and an outdoor exhibition of aircraft models connected to the city's space research history. At Burle Marx Municipal Park, you can visit the modernist Olivo Gomes residence and walk through gardens created by Brazilian landscape architect Roberto Burle Marx. The Augusto Ruschi Biological Reserve protects a section of Atlantic Forest where you might spot toucans, monkeys, and other local animals.
Space and Aviation Centers
At the Brazilian Aerospace Memorial (MAB), you can explore Brazil's aviation history through hands-on exhibits and walk among actual aircraft. The National Institute for Space Research (INPE) runs guided tours where you can learn about satellite technology and see how Brazil's space program operates. These facilities are part of South America's largest concentration of aerospace research centers.
São Francisco Xavier District
In the Serra da Mantiqueira mountains, São Francisco Xavier district reaches heights of 2,000 meters at Pico do Selado. You can follow marked hiking paths to waterfalls, walk the trail between São Francisco Xavier and Monte Verde, or climb to Pedra Chapéu do Bispo for views across the mountain range.
Cultural Venues
You'll find 19 movie theaters and 7 performance spaces across the city, including a theater at the University of Vale do Paraíba. The city hosts theater festivals throughout the year. The restored Vicentina Aranha Sanatorium now serves as a cultural center with art exhibitions, music performances, and workshops each month.
Weather and Seasons
The city's position between mountains and valley creates distinct weather patterns. During summer (December to February), temperatures reach 30°C with thunderstorms common after 2 PM, particularly in January. From May to August, temperatures drop to around 15°C, with July being the coldest month. These weather patterns affect hiking conditions in the Serra da Mantiqueira region.
