Itaipava: Experiencing This Beautiful City In One Weekend

WHAT TO DO

Situated about an hour and a half from the famous beaches of Rio de Janeiro, is Petropolis’s lesser known treasure: Itaipava.

Itaipava is quite small, with less than twenty thousand residents, but its reputation indicates otherwise. Known for being a romantic getaway for lovers, a winter escape for families, a shopping destination for those with designer taste… You’ll find attractions here for every tourist – making Itaipava a well-sought out destination among Cariocas.** And, because of its distance from the more popular southeastern part of Rio de Janeiro (Copacabana, Ipanema, etc.), this small resort town is much less frequented by the average gringo.

And you only need one weekend to experience it.

NOTE: The term “Carioca” refers to any native of Rio de Janeiro.

What You Need To Know:

Do not try to get there by public transport.
- To get here, you need your own private vehicle. There is no train that will take you directly to Itaipava.
- If you do decide to take the bus, keep in mind that it will take you much longer to get there and once you’re there, buses run much less frequently than in the city of Rio. Leaving you with some really long wait times.

Uber exists, but don’t order it.
- Much more easily accessible than a bus (and much more expensive), but just don’t. They take ages to come and if they figure out how far they have to take you, they’ll cancel or wait long enough until you do. -> I took this option when I visited and it was one of my biggest regrets. So, to save you from the headache and chaos I went through, rent a car!

Where To Stay For One Weekend In Itaipava

You can rest assured that your choice of accommodation in Itaipava will bring you closer to nature.

Nestled among the forested mountains of Petropolis, you can’t quite escape the mountainous air or staggered landscapes. For that reason, you can find many amazing places to stay in this beautiful city.

From Airbnbs to pousadas and chalets, there are some pretty spectacular stays. Depending on your level of luxury, of course. You’ll find costs of accommodation can range anywhere from 24-120 euros (plus). Don’t worry too much about finding a location with a pool or a fireplace. Most of the places you’ll come across offers these luxurious amenities.

With only one weekend to stay in Itaipava, you can spend it either lavishly or humbly watching the stars from your outdoor pool before warming up by the fire. Either way, you’ll have the best views. And some five star hospitality.

If you’re looking to vacation where the local Brazilians vacation, Itaipava is the perfect place!

How To Spend One Weekend In Itaipava

Itaipava is a nature-lovers playground.

Full of hiking and biking trails, with various sized mountains to climb, forests to get lost in and a nearby waterfall to reenergize under. You’ll easily be able to feel more connected to nature in just one weekend here.

And if outdoor recreation isn’t quite your thing, Itaipava is full of delicious restaurants and nice shops. Plus there’s always a different brewery to discover! Make sure to brush up on your Portuguese before you go! You wont find as many English speaking locals here as you do in Rio de Janeiro.

One weekend in the one of the region’s most charming cities, you can see so much of the natural world. Whether you choose to do that by foot climbing Pedra da Itaipava or poolside from your chalet is up to you. But I promise, after one weekend in Itaipava, you’ll already be ready for another.