By Juliana Sartori
The city of Guararema is approximately 1 hour from São Paulo and is an incredible option for a day trip for those who want to get out of their routine and discover a new place full of incredible attractions. The place that draws attention for its number of free tours, is highly sought after by those who want to discover new places without spending too much – and at the same time have a different experience.
There we find an unparalleled charm: an ancient city that combines nature with historic buildings. The combination could not be better, the visitor goes back in time to a time when time passed slowly and transport was done by old locomotives. Whether you want to feel inland without going too far from the capital or even enjoy a different moment, you need to get to know Guararema:
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TRAIN STATION
The Guararema Train Station is the city’s landmark, as it was one of the first buildings to be built there. The station now gives way to a cultural center where it is possible to learn more about the history of the city and the railway. The tour itself is a charm only as the station takes the visitor back in time. In addition, tourists use the train tracks (when not in use) to take pictures and walk around.
MARIA FUMAÇA TRAIN TOUR
On weekends, there is a tourist tour by train to the neighborhood of Luiz Carlos, covering a distance of 7 km. The tourist train is a composition with three wooden cars made in England and driven by a steam locomotive made in the United States, the largest in activity in Brazil. Tickets cost approximately R$50 (round trip) per person. To secure yours in advance, visit the Trem de Guararema website.
AMÉRICO’S CORNER
A strong point of Guararema is the amount of free activities that the city offers. One of them is Recanto do Américo, one of the postcards of the place, which is on the banks of the Paraíba River and surrounded by nature. The famous suspension bridges make the tour even more fun.
PEDRA MONTADA PARK
Parque da Pedra Montada is another option for a free tour in the midst of nature. There, there are many trails, contact with the green and, of course: the Pedra Montada – a kind of natural sculpture in which two giant stones are superimposed. In addition, the place has a playground for children.
ILHA GRANDE
Ilha Grande is an island in the Paraíba do Sul River located in the center of the city. The space was redeveloped and has trails that run through the island, totaling 400 meters, a playground for children, an area for physical exercise and gardens. In addition to all these attractions, Ilha Grande has the Environmental Education Center, the NEA, a space for debates and learning about issues that permeate preservation and respect for the environment.
MIRANTE DO PARAÍBA RESTAURANT
For those who like a well-planned environment together with delicious food, the tip is to visit the Mirante do Paraíba Restaurant. Prices aren’t the lowest in the region and it’s a little far from the city center, but it’s all worth it when you sit at a table strategically set up on a deck over the Paraíba River. There you will find a lot of green, beautiful landscapes and well-decorated environments with a rustic style. The dishes usually serve 3 to 4 people and the house specialty highlights fish and seafood.
With information from Guia da Semana