Exploring best places to enjoy adventure sports near Sao Paulo

Sao Paulo, South America’s largest city and world’s 3rd largest city, is a major gateway for those planning to spend vacation in Brazil. This beautiful city is the country’s economic powerhouse and business capital. Whether you are visiting Sao Paulo for business or leisure, the city is going to surprise you with its many attractions and scenic landscape. A number of beach retreats and week end mountain getaways, all of which are only few hours’ drive from the city, are going to keep you engaged and enthralled during the course of your trip here.

For adventure tourism and sports lovers, Sao Paulo will keep you mesmerized with its many options. Be it climbing, hiking, rafting or canoeing – all these and more are available for adventure sports lovers. Visit to Sao Paulo will give you a chance to be up and close with nature as well as enjoy thrilling adventure sports in the city and its surroundings. Here are some of the best places in Sao Paulo to enjoy adventure sports. These include Atibaia, Socorro, Serra da Mantiqueira and Brotas. Let us undertake a virtual tour of all these places and see the various options available to enjoy adventure sports.
 
Atibaia
Atibaia city is situated 64 km north-east of Sao Paulo in the mountains. It is famous for the cultivation of strawberries and flowers. The city is equally renowned to celebrate strawberry festival once every year. The place also offers lots of adventure too. You can enjoy multiple adventure activities such as climbing, hiking, doing motocross, gliding, parachuting, and paragliding. Whenever in Atibaia, don’t forget to visit Pedra Grande, a huge mountain top and a famous spot in Sao Paulo. It is among the best hang gliding spots in the city. Avid paragliding and hang gliding enthusiasts can be seen visiting this place in large numbers on every weekend. This place can be easily reached with the help of a motorbike or jeep, and the top part can be finally reached by walking. You will get a marvelous view from the top. The Pedra Grande is also the best meeting point for those hiking the trails of the Vuna Reservation, mountain bikers and mountaineers.

There are many good and affordable hotels for your stay in the town. The major attractions that can also be visited here include City Marketplace, Historic Houses and Historic Center, Major Lake, Schöenstatt Sanctuary, Our Lady of the Rosary Church, João Batista Conte Museum, São João Batista Church, Natural History Museum, Cable Car, Edmundo Zanoni City Park, Itapetininga City Park (Grota Funda), and Pedra Grande Natural State Monument.

Socorro
Socorro, a little countryside town, is situated at a distance of 135 km from Sao Paulo. With its ideal conditions for rural, ecological and adventure tourism, this place is a must visit, particularly its Rio del Pez or The Fish River zone. It will take slightly more than an hour’s drive for you to reach from Sao Paulo. The waters surrounding Socorro are also renowned to possess medicinal properties. The Center of Adventure / Radical Sports, situated nearly 6 km outside of Socorro downtown, is mostly visited by all those who love enjoying adventure activities such as tree climbing, rafting, delta-wing gliding, paragliding, horse riding, off road, mountain biking, duck or Boia-Cross, aqua-riding, trekking, climbing, cascading, rappel and Tiroleza, among others.

Trekking and rafting can be mostly enjoyed in the Rio del Pez or The Fish River, which has III and IV level streams and cascades. The ramps of Pico del Cascabel or Pico de la Bella Vista are also the best spots to enjoy paragliding, delta flying and free flying. Some of the gorgeous sites worth visiting here include Gruta do Anjo or Angel´s Cavern, Parque dos Sonhos or Park of Dreams, Cova dos Anjos or Angels´ Cave, and Cascata dos Machados.

Serra da Mantiqueira
Serra da Mantiqueira is a city located in the border of Sao Paulo and Minas Gerais. It is 90 km away from Sao Paulo. This place has been formed by famous mountains such as So Jose do Pinhal, Campos do Jordao, Sao Francisco Xavier and Monte Verde. It is perfect place for climbing, hiking, and canyoneering. The famous spots for climbing here include Bau Rock in Sao Bento do Sapucai or Braganca Paulista region. However, when you are visiting this place during the winter, be ready to face chilly weather conditions. You will be required to prepare for your travel accordingly and pack warm clothes for your travel.
 
Brotas
Brotas, a small village located in Sao Paulo, is considered as the best place for adventure sports. It takes around two hours drive to reach this place. The rushing, meandering rivers and steep hills make Brotas quite scenic and make it an ideal place for canoeing, hiking, or rafting. The best place for rafting or kayaking is the Jacare Pepira River. The seasoned and amateur hikers will find the Itaqueri Mountain Range most suited for their hiking trip. The numerous waterfalls and endangered flora and fauna also make Brotas an excellent destination for ecotourism. With a number of hotels and good restaurants here, you will find your visit to Brotas quite enjoyable.