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Municipality in Southeast, Brazil
Photo: Digital Plus Art & Photo (https://www.flickr.com/photos/alexeggert/), CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
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Created to rescue the history of the technological progress the city, showcasing mainly military and aerospace equipment developed in the country, including the second prototype of the Bandeirante, the first Brazilian commercial and military aircraft. In the outside there is a tribute to the men who died in an accident at the Alcântara Launch Center, in 22 August 2003.
Museu de Arte Sacra de São José dos Campos
The chapel, built in 1908, used to be very crowded and is where troops and travellers gave thanks for the safety of their trips. It hosts a museum of sacred art.
Antiga Câmara Municipal
Built in 1926, the small palace was the previous home of the City Council and was also once the first high school of the city. Now it hosts local culture expositions, a sports museum and a police department.
The "Banhado" is a huge depression and an environmental protection area located just west of downtown and north of Av. Anchieta. It offers a spectacular view, especially during the sunset, which can be enjoyed from the bars, cafes and sidewalks of the avenues surrounding it.
Parque Vicentina Aranha
The former sanatorium, finished in 1924, was projected by Ramos de Azevedo and belonged to Santa Casa de Misericórida, a charity organization associated with the Catholic church. It belongs now to the municipality and its gardens are a public park.
Located in the place of foundation of São José dos Campos. It was constructed in 1934 to replace the original church, which had collapsed in 1831.
The urban park pays a tribute to the Brazilian aviation pioneer Santos Dumont. It contains the third prototype of the Brazilian-made Bandeirante aircraft, and a replica of the 14-Bis airplane made by Santos Dumont. It also contains sport facilities and a Japanese garden.
The "city center" of the district is this quiet and cozy village, with its cultural life and most services around Praça Cônego Antônio Manzi.
With 45 meters high, it is the tallest waterfall of São Francisco Xavier, that belongs to a private pousada. Check working hours in advance if you plan to go during weekdays. There are some buses to the waterfall departing from the São José dos Campos "Rodoviária Nova" intercity bus terminal.
It is a 15-meter-high public waterfall, with tourist infrastructure and easily accessible from the São Francisco Xavier village.
With 2.082 meters high, it is the tallest peak of the region, located between the states of São Paulo and Minas Gerais. The trail has 10 km and it takes about 2½ hours. It has some difficulty and is not recommended for small children. From the top of the peak, it is possible to see seven cities, including São José dos Campos.
1925 meters high, 5.0 km, low difficulty. Possible to view the city of São José dos Campos with good weather.
The trail between the villages of São Francisco Xavier and Monte Verde (in Minas Gerais) has about 15 km and medium difficulty. It offers an exhuberant view on its highest point. Having a guide is advised.
Rodízio churrascaria (all-you-can-eat BBQ restaurant).
The pedestrianized Rua Sete de Setembro (known locally as Calçadão) and its surroundings are the main shopping district of São José dos Campos, where you can find all kinds of products and services for good prices.
Occurring every weekend at various points throughout the city, these fairs have a great variety of creative works. Some fairs have food stalls and entertainment as well.
Mercado Municipal
Built in 1923, this restored market has many shops offering fruit, vegetables, flowers, herbal medicine, and animals, among other things.
São José has three large shopping malls: Colinas, Center Vale and Vale Sul. They are all typical suburban shopping malls: sterile, pedestrian-unfriendly but incredibly convenient, offering a vast range of services and open during evenings and Sundays. With the real estate boom in the city, these commercial centers have been expanding and will soon be comparable to large shopping malls in São Paulo.
By bus
Buses linking downtown to the suburbs are relatively frequent, although quite crowded during peak hours. Suburb-to-suburb transport, on the other hand, is extremely limited.
By taxi
Taking a cab is a practical way for visitors to move around the main district. Taxi costs R$ 4,50 + R$ 2,25/km (flag 1) or + R$2,90/km (flag 2). A tariff calculator is available online.
By car
Renting a car may be more cost-effective than a taxi for long-distance travel, including going to São Francisco Xavier or exploring the areas beyond the municipality.
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São José Dos Campos · Regional · SJK
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