Things To Do
in Taubaté
Taubaté is a medium-sized city in the Vale do Paraíba region of São Paulo state, known for its industrial history, literary heritage and pleasant highland setting. It is the birthplace of famed Brazilian writer Monteiro Lobato and hosts cultural attractions and family museums that celebrate local history. The city combines a calm downtown with parks, traditional bakeries (padarias) and easy road links to São José dos Campos, Campos do Jordão and the main highways to São Paulo and Rio.
Taubaté is a practical base for exploring nearby mountains while offering authentic Paulista small-city life.
Day Trips
Spend a day exploring around
Start your day with a visit to Praça Dom Epaminondas, where you can admire the impressive architecture of nearby historic buildings. Take a leisurely stroll through the streets, soaking in the vibrant atmosphere as locals begin their daily routines. Don't forget to stop by the Museu Histórico de Taubaté to learn about the city's rich history.
After lunch at a local eatery, continue exploring by visiting the Igreja de São Francisco, a beautiful church showcasing colonial-era design. Spend some time at the Mercado Municipal, where you can sample fresh produce and typical Brazilian snacks. Engage with local vendors and pick up some unique handicrafts to remember your visit.
As the sun sets, enjoy dinner at a traditional restaurant that specializes in regional cuisine. Experience the lively ambiance of the city as you dine on dishes like feijão tropeiro, accompanied by a refreshing caipirinha. To end your day, take a leisurely walk along the city's streets, enjoying the illuminated historic buildings.
Begin your day with a refreshing hike at Parque Natural Municipal de Taubaté, where you can immerse yourself in the lush greenery and diverse wildlife. The morning air is crisp, making it a perfect time to spot various bird species and enjoy the tranquility of nature. Don’t forget to bring your camera to capture the stunning views along the trails.
After a morning of hiking, relax with a picnic lunch at one of the park's designated areas, surrounded by the sounds of nature. Spend the afternoon exploring additional trails or visiting the park's small visitor center to learn more about the local flora and fauna. If you're lucky, you might encounter some of the park's playful monkeys swinging through the trees.
Head back to the city for a cozy dinner at a restaurant that features local dishes. As you savor your meal, reflect on the beauty of the natural surroundings you experienced earlier. End the evening with a stroll through the park again, now illuminated by soft lights, creating a magical atmosphere.
Prices
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| 🍔Meal at inexpensive restaurant | $6-12 |
| ☕Coffee at a café | $1.50-3.50 |
| 🚕Short taxi ride (within city) | $3-8 |
| 🍺Domestic beer (bar) | $1.50-4 |
| 🛌Mid-range hotel (per night) | $40-80 |
Strengths and Weaknesses
- Authentic Paulista city with literary and cultural heritage
- Good base for day trips to Mantiqueira mountains and Campos do Jordão
- Pleasant parks, bakeries and family-run restaurants
- Easier, less hectic pace than large nearby metros
- Limited airport options and fewer direct international connections
- Smaller nightlife and entertainment scene compared with larger cities
- Some tourist infrastructure and specialized dietary options are limited
- Public transport inside the city can be less frequent late at night
- "Olá / Oi" - Hello / Hi
- "Bom dia / Boa tarde / Boa noite" - Good morning / Good afternoon / Good evening
- "Por favor" - Please
- "Obrigado / Obrigada" - Thank you (male / female speaker)
- "Quanto custa?" - How much does it cost?
- "Onde fica o banheiro?" - Where is the bathroom?
- "Pode me ajudar?" - Can you help me?
- "Eu não falo muito português" - I don’t speak much Portuguese
Places to Visit in Taubaté
Visit one of these nice places.
Colorful exhibits, memorabilia and a cinema-themed setting that provide characterful subjects and cultural portraits of the region’s cinematic history.
Historic home and literary museum dedicated to the famous children’s author — great for cultural portraits, period architecture and bookish details.
Historic square with a cathedral and traditional façades offering classic town-center scenes, local life and good sunset light.
Green urban park with walking paths, small lakes and views across the valley — ideal for nature and family-activity shots.
Short drives outside the city reveal rolling highland views and dramatic skies suited to sunrise/sunset landscape photography.
Food in Taubaté
Taubaté Famous Food
Signature dishes, delicacies and famous food
A traditional S ão Paulo countryside dish with rice, beans, pork or beef, couve (collard greens) and torresmo — commonly found in local family restaurants and lunch buffets.
Must-Try!
Brazil’s classic black-bean and pork stew, served on weekends in many restaurants; a social, hearty meal best enjoyed with rice, farofa and orange.
Cheese bread available at every bakery and café in town; a staple breakfast or snack item.
Regional doce de leite, cocada and brigadeiro available at markets and confectioneries—perfect to sample at the municipal market or local sweets shops.
Food Markets
Explore local food markets
Traditional indoor market where you can sample local sweets, buy fresh produce, cheeses and small prepared foods; ideal for photography and tasting regional items.
Open-air market held on weekends offering fruits, vegetables, snacks, pastel, salgadinhos and homemade treats — great for trying street food and mingling with residents.
Weather
How to Behave
Tips on cultural norms and respectful behavior
Handshakes are common in formal situations; friends often exchange cheek kisses (one or two) in informal settings — follow the local lead.
Use basic Portuguese greetings (bom dia, boa tarde, por favor, obrigado/a) — locals appreciate attempts at the language.
Social gatherings are somewhat relaxed about time, but business meetings typically expect punctuality.
Dress modestly in religious sites, and ask before photographing people, especially in private or intimate contexts.
Safety
Tipping in Taubaté
Ensure a smooth experience
A 10% service charge is commonly added to restaurant bills; if not included, tipping ~10% is appreciated. For taxis, rounding up or adding a small tip is normal. Hotel porters, cleaners and guides appreciate modest tips in cash.
Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in shops and restaurants; PIX (instant bank transfer) is very common for small businesses and private sellers. Cash (Brazilian real) is useful for street markets and smaller vendors; contactless payments are increasingly available.
Best Time to Visit
And what to expect in different seasons...
December–February: warm to hot days with occasional heavy afternoon rainstorms; pack light clothing, a rain jacket and insect repellent; summer is lively with weekend visitors and regional festivals.
March–May: pleasant temperatures, drier conditions and comfortable days for walking and outdoor visits; ideal for exploring markets and cultural sites.
June–August: cooler, especially at night — mornings can be crisp; layering is recommended and this is a good season for clear skies and mountain trips nearby.
September–November: warming temperatures, blooming vegetation and occasional rains; a good time for hikes and photographing nature.
Taubaté at Night
Hiking in Taubaté
Immerse in an unforgettable hike.
Iconic granite formation popular with hikers and climbers; offers dramatic views — about a 1–1.5 hour drive depending on route and traffic, best for a day trip with proper gear.
A network of hikes and scenic routes in the Mantiqueira foothills offering waterfalls, viewpoints and cooler mountain air; accessible from neighboring towns and ideal for full-day hikes.
Short, easy trails within municipal parks around Taubaté suitable for families, beginner hikers and birdwatching without leaving the city.
Airports
How to reach Taubaté by plane.
Closest regional airport (approx. 25–40 km) — useful for some domestic flights and a quick drive to Taubaté; ground transfers via taxi or car are common.
Main international gateway for the region (approx. 100–140 km depending on route) — best choice for international arrivals; reachable by car or bus via Presidente Dutra (BR-116) and shuttle or intercity bus connections.
Closer to central São Paulo (approx. 110–130 km) with domestic flights; convenient for domestic connections with onward road transfer to Taubaté.
Major airport to the west (approx. 140–170 km) with growing domestic and some international routes; reachable by highway and bus services to Taubaté.
Walkability
Demographics
Explore demographics in this area.
A mix of descendants of Portuguese and Italian immigrants, with contributions from other European, African and indigenous heritage common throughout the state.
Taubaté has historical ties to industry and manufacturing, reflected in neighborhoods populated by workers and families linked to local factories and services.
Local educational institutions and cultural centers attract students and artists, helping support museums, theaters and cultural events.
Popular Sports
Explore popular sports in region.
Soccer is the dominant sport — local clubs and youth teams are active and weekends often feature local matches and community tournaments.
Indoor football (futsal) is widely practiced in schools and clubs and is popular in urban neighborhoods.
Both recreational and competitive volleyball are common in schools and community centers, as in much of Brazil.
Traffic
Accomodations
Find the best place to stay when visiting Taubaté.
Dietary Restrictions
Tips for restricted diets.
Vegetarian options are increasingly available in Taubaté — order salads, rice-and-bean combinations or request vegetable plates at buffets; specialized vegetarian restaurants are limited but larger cafes and some bistros will accommodate.
Vegan choices exist but are fewer; seek health-food stores, some cafés that offer plant-based milk and apps or menus that can adapt dishes; bring snacks if you have strict needs.
Gluten-free requests are possible in many restaurants but cross-contamination is common; bakeries generally use wheat flour, so look for gluten-free labels in supermarkets or ask staff directly.