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Our Region

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Where are we

Águas da Prata and São João da Boa Vista are sister cities that are located on the edges of an EXTINCT VOLCANO, the famous Alkaline Complex of Poços de Caldas.

the volcano

We live on the slopes of an extinct, primitive and large volcano, with a diameter of approximately 40 km. It remained in activity between 80 and 60 million years and is located on the border of southern Minas Gerais and eastern São Paulo, it is called the Alkaline Complex of Poços de Caldas. It gives us unique characteristics of soil, climate and relief that allow the differentials of tourist attraction in our region. These photos show its caldera and the formation of the Mantiqueira volcanic mountains.

sister cities

Part of this volcanic territory is made up of the municipalities of Águas da Prata and São João da Boa Vista. They are located in a region very close to large urban centers such as São Paulo, Campinas, Jundiaí, Ribeirão Preto and have excellent access roads. The mineral waters, forests and altitude of the surrounding mountains are its main natural attractions.  The two cities together offer tourists the experience of rural life, relaxation, adventure and regional culture.

 Path of Faith

“Águas da Prata, here the Path of Faith was born.” 
Every pilgrim who passes through the city makes a point of having a photo clicked on the traditional sign. Inaugurated in 2003, the route started in Águas da Prata until Aparecida. Over time, other cities and branches became part of the traditional Brazilian pilgrimage route. Currently, the Route comprises about 970 km, of which approximately 500 km cross the Serra da Mantiqueira through side roads, trails, woods and asphalt, providing moments of reflection and faith, physical and psychological health and integration of man with nature. Always following the yellow arrows, the pilgrim reinforces his faith by observing the privileged nature, overcoming the difficulties of the Way that is the synthesis of his own life.

Photos: Alfredo Nagib/Fritz photography

Hawk's Peak
Adventure and Relax

Volcanic mountains, valleys, rivers, waterfalls, monoliths, Atlantic forests, mountains, high altitude fields are great attributes for recreational adventure, suitable for hiking, mountaineering, cycling, rappelling, hang gliding and others.
Here, in Águas da Prata, is the famous Pico do Gavião, a place with breathtaking views, from where you can see the volcano caldera, and one of the best spots for exciting international paragliding and hang gliding championships. The place also provides relaxation, contemplation and rest in the late afternoons and, once a year, the traditional Blues in the Mountains.

cycle tourism
Volcano Cycling Route

Cycling through our mountains and valleys has always been fun and adventurous. In recent years, this outdoor sport has grown to enormous proportions.
The region was organized outlining excellent routes with indicative signs for location, altitudes and degrees of difficulty.
Recently, the Bike Park-XCO was opened in São João da Boa Vista and the Volcano Cycling Route was created, which consists of cycling around the huge caldera that surrounds the various cities of the volcanic region, including Águas da Prata. The circuit is all signposted and suggests lodging in several cozy inns.
And… the cyclist continues to enjoy the beauties of our nature.

Gastronomy

The people who built the characteristics of this region contributed to our delicious cuisine.
Here we serve good homemade food, nonna's unforgettable food made with lots of love in which the ingredients and seasonings stand out in the right measure. It's full, fragrant, delicious… 
Here you can find homemade, rustic, Italian, Spanish, German, Arabic food, many of which are enhanced with food crafts made with old recipes and family secrets. All made with care and dedication to please the most refined palates.

Culture

Our region is rich in classical and popular artistic events. The folias de Reis and the June festivals are much appreciated, gastronomy and handicraft fairs, sporting, agricultural and business events are constant and traditional. The art takes place in public squares and in many appropriate places prepared for this purpose. At the Municipal Theater with its beautiful frontispiece, there are the Guiomar Novaes and Fica-Fica Weeks, the Assad and Regional Festival of Student Theater Atílio Eduardo Galo Lopes and many other events such as those of the Symphonic Jazz and Cultural Vereda Orchestras. Visits to the Historical and Religious Art Museums are a must. Our culture is rich, diverse and flowing in its fullness.

Our story

Our people are made up of indigenous people, pioneer farmers, blacks, rednecks, Italian, Spanish, German and Arab immigrants. Coffee growing and mining greatly boosted our development, leading to the installation of the Media Mogiana Railroad in 1886, a milestone of much progress. Throughout history, the two cities have undergone many positive transformations and are regional centers of commerce, industry and services.

Important Movements

The arrival of European and Arab immigrants brought new technologies, customs and different ways of being and thinking, contributing greatly to the positive quality of what is our place today. The 1932 Revolution impacted the region and is still remembered by the families of soldiers and by the entire population who still keep stories that are told and artifacts that are shown at events and tourist enterprises. These and other stories tourists come to know when in contact with our people.

Historic Architecture and Economic Strength of the Region

The city of São João da Boa Vista since its foundation, has been developing through agriculture, livestock, commerce, industry and services. The refinement of this society made possible beautiful architectural constructions and effervescent cultural life. The discovery of medicinal waters attracted many personalities to the city, which led the state government, in 1923, to design the layout of the city of Águas da Prata, one of the first cities designed in Brazil, with an architecture similar to European cities.
It is worth taking a walk here to get to know the strength of the cities through their historic architecture.

If you want to know much more about our region

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