In this post, I will tell you about our Day 2 in Campos do Jordão, São Paulo. We were on a two-day trip to this beautiful mountain town. Read my post, Campos do Jordão – Day 1, to follow the two days we spent there.
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After a cold night at “Casa Campos” (read Day 1), we were ready to leave the house after breakfast.
The plan today was to visit “Cachoeira Véu da Noiva”, “Chuva de Prata”, “Amantikir Park”, “Museu Felicia Leirner”, “Boa Vista Palace” and “Mosteiro de São João”.
We were also planning to go up to “Morro do Elefante” on the cable car and to visit some chocolate factories. A high order, but with some organisation, we should be able to cover everything.
We were travelling independently with a hired car as we are confident travellers and speak the language. However, if you prefer to be part of a tour and to have everything organised for you, I advise you to book a complete tour with Tourradar.
They have different kinds of tours that will fit your time and budget. If you book it via my links you can get a discount by using this code: RoseG50.
Below is a map showing the places we visited on Day 2 in Campos do Jordão:
Before telling you about our day, let me tell you a bit about some of the attractions we were planning to see on that day.
1 – Cachoeira Véu da Noiva
“Cachoeira Véu da Noiva” (Bride’s Veil Waterfall) is one of Campos do Jordão’s most visited natural attractions. Located just a few kilometres from the “Capivari district”. The waterfall cascades about 15 meters down rocky slopes, creating the appearance of a bridal veil, which inspired its name.
Easily accessible by car or tour bus, it has viewing platforms, souvenir stalls, and snack stands nearby.It makes a quick stop for visitors exploring the region.
Though not large compared to other Brazilian waterfalls, its scenic setting of the “Serra da Mantiqueira” forest and its proximity to the city centre keeps it a staple on tourist itineraries.
2 – Ducha de Prata
“Ducha de Prata” (“Silver Shower”) is a small artificial waterfall and tourist spot in Campos do Jordão. Created with diverted streams, the water flows over a rock face and splashes down in a way that resembles falling silver threads, giving the attraction its name.
The site is designed for leisure rather than wilderness exploration. It has wooden walkways, bridges, souvenir shops, snack stands, and photo spots integrated into the landscape. While not a natural wonder, it remains popular with families and casual visitors seeking an easy, picturesque stop close to the city centre.
3 – Amantikir Park
“Amantikir Park”, opened in 2007, is one of Campos do Jordão’s most distinctive attractions. It brings together themed gardens inspired by landscaping traditions from more than 20 countries. Spread across 60,000 square meters, the park displays over 700 plant species arranged in settings such as English flowerbeds, Japanese Zen spaces, labyrinths, and geometric French-style gardens.
Designed to harmonise with the surrounding “Serra da Mantiqueira” scenery, it offers walking trails, panoramic viewpoints, and spaces that change character with the seasons. Unlike the nearby “Horto Florestal”, which preserves native forest, Amantikir emphasises curated design and cultural diversity in horticulture, making it both an aesthetic and contemplative experience.
“Amantikir” comes from the Tupi-Guarani language and means “mountains that cry” or “crying mountains.” It was the indigenous name for the Serra da Mantiqueira range, where Campos do Jordão is located. The expression refers to the countless springs, rivers, and waterfalls flowing from the mountains, which appear as if the land itself were weeping.
It originated from a legend of a Tupi princess who fell in love with the Sun. The moon was jealous of the princess and complained to the Tupã God, who created an enormous mountain and locked the Indian princess there. Her tears became the rivers and waterfalls that come down the mountains. That is where the name “Amantikir” came from.
4 – Museu Felicia Leirner
The “Museu Felícia Leirner” in Campos do Jordão is an open-air museum dedicated to the work of Polish-born sculptor Felícia Leirner.
The museum opened in 1978, it displays more than 80 of her sculptures crafted in bronze and white cement, distributed across gardens and forested areas of the museum.
The setting integrates art with nature, allowing visitors to experience her abstract and figurative phases against a backdrop of mountain landscapes.
The museum also shares its grounds with the Cláudio Santoro Auditorium, one of Brazil’s leading concert venues and the main stage for the Campos do Jordão Winter Festival.
5 – Palácio Boa Vista
“Palácio Boa Vista”, built in the 1960s, is the official winter residence of the governor of São Paulo and one of Campos do Jordão’s main cultural landmarks. Designed in a Norman style with stone walls, steep roofs, and medieval-inspired details, the palace contrasts with the city’s Swiss chalet aesthetic.
It houses a significant art collection open to the public. It features works by Brazilian masters such as Portinari, Tarsila do Amaral, and Di Cavalcanti. There is also sacred art, period furniture, and decorative objects. Surrounded by landscaped gardens and mountain views, the palace serves both as a governmental residence and a museum.
6 – Mosteiro de São João
“Mosteiro de São João” (Monastery of St John) is a Benedictine monastery founded in 1961 and home to a community of cloistered nuns who follow the Rule of Saint Benedict. Known for its serene atmosphere, the monastery attracts visitors seeking a moment of silence, reflection, and contact with sacred music.
The highlight is the daily chanting of Gregorian hymns, performed by the nuns during liturgical services, which has become one of the spiritual and cultural experiences of the city.
The complex includes a simple chapel, gardens, and a small shop where the sisters sell handmade products such as jams and religious articles. It is a quiet setting, contrasting with the city’s bustling tourist areas, offering an experience of contemplation within the gardens.
7 – Morro do Elefante
“Morro do Elefante” is one of the most accessible viewpoints in Campos do Jordão. It is located just a few minutes from the “Capivari district”. Its name comes from the hill’s silhouette, which resembles the shape of an elephant’s head when seen from certain angles.
At about 1,800 meters above sea level, the site offers panoramic views of the city and the surrounding Mantiqueira mountains.
Visitors can reach the summit either by car or via a short cable car ride departing from Capivari. It is one of the town’s most popular attractions. of Campos do Jordão. At the top, there are observation decks, souvenir shops, and leisure areas, making it a quick but scenic stop for tourists.
You can have a private tour of Campos do Jordão visiting the most important places in an air conditioned car and to have a unforgettable experience by booking this tour HERE.
VISITING CAMPOS DO JORDÃO
We decided to start the visit by going to “Ducha de Prata” first. It was close to the house where we were staying. The place was not very busy at that time, and we didn’t have any problems parking the car.
The attraction is free, and you can wander the timber walkways at your own discretion. It is a nice scenery, even though it is a man-made waterfall. We strolled through the paths and took many photos.
There was a trail through the forest that could also be explored, but we didn’t feel like doing that at the time. Near the car park, you can find various stalls selling souvenirs from Campos do Jordão, drinks and fast food.
We didn’t spend much time there and soon drove to the next attraction, “Cachoeira Véu da Noiva” nearby.
At “Cachoeira Véu da Noiva”, we were the only visitors at that time. It is also free to wander around the area where the waterfall is, and there are a few statues scattered around the grass. There is one of “Christ” with open arms, and randomly, a statue of Shrek and Fiona!
I found this waterfall pretty but underwhelming. After a few photos, we headed to” Amantikir Park”, which is a good half-hour drive from the “Véu da Noiva”. The park is on the other side of town.
We bought our tickets when we arrived and received a leaflet explaining the various trails through the garden, taking us to different areas. Some of the trails are on hills and require a bit more effort to follow. Others are level and easy to navigate.
We took the easy ones as we had my Mum with us. She is an elderly Lady and not fit enough to do anything very challenging.
We took the Blue Trail, which took us to the “Espelho D’agua” (Water Mirror), passing through the tree house and the French Garden. Various photos later, we continued and joined the Purple Trail, leading to the Orange Trail.
The Orange Trail takes us to the “Lago das Pontes” (The Lake of Bridges), a charming little lake with bridges crossing over it, with beautiful landscape around it. The Orange Trail also takes you to the “Mirante” (Lookout Point) with infinite views of the “Serra da Mantiqueira” (Mantiqueira Mountains). The “Estufa” (Greenhouse) and the “Tapete Verde” (Green carpet) are also on this trail.
We continued and joined the Green Trail, where we found two mazes and the English Garden. The trail changes to the Red Trail, which showcases the “Jardim Árido” (Arid Garden) and the high grasses.
From there, it was the café and the way out. We stopped at the café and decided to have a light lunch there. It was not the best of the lunches, but it was OK to keep us going for the rest of the day. We only had some “salgadinhos”, little Brazilian snacks such as “Coxinha”, “kibe” and “esfihas”, typical snacks in Brazil.
The only trails in the garden that we missed were the Brown Trail and part of the Purple Trail, as the guide told us that it was a bit of a hike and would not be suitable for my Mum. The Brown Trail had the Chinese Garden and the Japanese Garden.
We enjoyed our visit to Amantikir Park. We thought it was very organised and well-maintained. There were many guides around the park to help you with directions or answer any questions you might have. It is a very good day out with family, especially if you have kids.
After lunch at the café, we headed back to Capivari. We wanted to take the cable car to go up to “Morro do Elefante” (Elephant Hill). We took the cable car, admiring the views as we ascended to the top.
Once at the top, my daughter wanted to go on the “Trenó da Montanha” (Mountain sledge). It is a light kind of roller coaster that goes down the mountain and brings you back afterwards. Not the most exciting roller coaster that she had been to, but it was fun. My Mum and I didn’t go on it, thank you very much!
After a few photos of the views, it was time to carry on and take the cable car back down. Next, we drove to the “Felicia Leirner Museum” and back to the other side of town.
The museum was not very busy, and we had the paths all to ourselves. It is a very different museum with many statues placed alongside the paths. The statues were organised in chronological order and in different materials. Some were in bronze, others in white cement or granite, but all of them were very beautiful and interacted very well with the mountain landscape.
We managed to walk around the whole museum, and when we finished, we drove to “Palácio Boa Vista”, which was not very far from there. Unfortunately, it was already late, when we arrived at the palace, it was closing down, and we didn’t have time to visit.
There was a nice bar in front of the palace with tables outside and great views, so we sat at one of their tables for some drinks and a bit of a rest.
The plan was to visit the “Mosteiro de São João” and to hear the nuns sing the Gregorian chants at 5:45 pm, the time they sing every day. However, it was already 5:20 pm and we were all tired. It would take at least another hour at the monastery, and we still had to drive back to the house.
We needed to get a shower and to get ready to go to to meet our friends at a restaurant in Capivari. So, we missed the monastery on this occasion, but this is something I will not skip next time we are in Campos do Jordão.
If you are based in São Paulo capital, you can visit Campos do Jordão for a day. There is a tour with a guide that will take you from São Paulo to Campos do Jordão and you will visit “Palácio Boa Vista”, Ducha de Prata, Capivari, the cable car and a chocolate factory. You can book this tour HERE.
We booked a restaurant called “Merceária Campos” in Capivari village. The restaurant had very good reviews online and seemed to be a good option for us to have dinner with our friends.
The food was very good, we had an excellent dinner there, but we found it overpriced for what it offers. It is not a gourmet restaurant, and it was far from being a posh restaurant. The tables had no tablecloths, and the food was served on the bare wooden table by a very informal service.
The bill was quite high; not only were the dishes expensive, but the Italian bottle of wine we had cost us a leg and an arm. I can buy the same wine we had there, Brunelli de Montepulciano, here in the UK for around £30, and they charged us around £200!
My friends who live there said that all restaurants in Capivari are expensive because it is a tourist area, so if you don’t want to spend much on a restaurant, avoid the Capivari area and choose a restaurant further away from there.
Anyway, it was lovely to meet my friends whom I haven’t seen for a long time and spent a few hours in their company sharing good food and good wine!
This was the end of our visit to Campos do Jordão this time, but we will certainly go back, as we felt we still had much more to see in that part of the world.
The next day, we would check out of the house and head to Sorocaba, another town in the interior of São Paulo state, to visit family and friends who live there. Until next post!
I hope this post will give you some idea of what can be done in a day in Campos do Jordão and will help you plan your own visit there.
Here is a reel about Campos do Jordão from he Traveling Surveyor Instagram account. Check it out and follow me on Instagram as well.
HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR VISIT TO CAMPOS DO JORDÃO
Below you will find a list of what to visit, where to stay and where to eat around Campos do Jordão. I classified each place as follows:
BOLD – Visited, tried and recommended
NOT BOLD – Not visited or tried, but planning to visit or try and heard very good reviews
RED – Visited and tried but do not recommend, avoid or be cautious
*** – Excellent
** – Good
* – OK
£££ – Expensive
££ – Fair and affordable
£ – Cheap
PLEASE NOTE: Every hotel, restaurants and attractions I mention on my blogs are not sponsored reviews and we always paid the full price when visiting. We give our own opinion of the place and detail our experience, good or bad.
THINGS TO DO IN CAMPOS DO JORDÃO – DAY 2
1 – Cachoeira Véu da Noiva – **
2 – Ducha de Prata – ***
3 – Amantikir Park – ***
4 – Morro do Elefante – ***
5 – Museu Felicia Leirner – ***
6 – Palácio Boa Vista
WHERE TO STAY
ACCOMMODATION – Hotels in Campos do Jordão
1 – Grande Hotel Campos do Jordão – 5* – £££
2 – Pousada Luis XV – 5* – £££
3 – Pousada Apple House – 4* – £££
4 – Le Suisse Elegance Hotel – 4* – £££
5 – Pousada Nacional Inn – 3* – ££
6 – Hotel Nevada – 3* – ££
If you prefer to look for your own accommodation, search and book via the below widget:
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BEST PLACES TO EAT
RESTAURANTS
1 – Mercearia Campos – £££ – *
2 – 2858 Avenue Bistrô – ££
3 – Bam Bam Café – ££
4 – Badem Badem Choperia – ££
5 – Só Queijo – ££
6 – Café Terraço e Pizzaria Artesanal – ££
We only tried the ones in bold , the others are the result of my researches and ones that I would like to try. If you tried any of my recommendations above, please send me a message and tell me about your experience good or bad, so I can update the list accordingly. Thanks!
If you enjoyed reading this post you might also like to read:
On this visit to Brazil:
2 – Campos do Jordão – Day 2
3 – Sorocaba
4 – Foz do Iguaçu – Day 1
5 – Foz do Iguaçu – Day 2
6 – Curitiba
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