Traveling around Teresopolis, Petropolis and Nova Friborgo (Brazil)

When most people think about Brazil, one of the cities that come to mind immediately is Rio de Janeiro or the jungles of Amazon. Well….there’s a lot more about Brazil than you think. I’ll attempt to share some amazing places you can visit if you ever wish to go to Brazil. Before we begin our fun journey, I think it is important to learn some facts and history about Brazil.


Following three centuries under the rule of Portugal, Brazil became an independent nation in 1822 and a republic in 1889. By far the largest and most populous country in South America, Brazil overcame more than half a century of military intervention in the governance of the country when in 1985 the military regime peacefully ceded power to civilian rulers. Brazil continues to pursue industrial and agricultural growth and development of its interior. Exploiting vast natural resources and a large labor pool, it is today South America's leading economic power and a regional leader. Estimated Population: 192.694.955

We arrived in Brazil on November 27, 2009 to spend the US winter in a warm and tropical climate. I have to say that where we have spent most of the time, the temperature every day was over 90 degrees.

During our fist big trip while in Brazil, we went to Teresopolis in the state of Rio de Janeiro. It is located in the mountain region of Rio. At 910 m this is the highest city in the state of Rio de Janeiro. It was the favorite summer retreat of Empress Teresa Cristina and is named after her.


While we stayed at a hotel in Teresopolis, we also visited Petropolis and Nova Friborgo. Petrópolis, in the mountain range known as Serra Fluminense, in Rio de Janeiro State, is a favorite getaway for Rio de Janeiro residents. With cooler weather, historic buildings, plenty of ecotourism and adventure opportunities, and charming hotels, Petrópolis is the closest mountain resort around Rio and often thought of as part of a trio of towns that also includes Teresópolis and Nova Friborgo.

Ok… let’s see some cool pictures.

Historic site in Petropolis - Brazil

Santos Dumont house. Brazilian history teaches that he was the airplane inventor

Cachoeira (waterall) dos Frades in Teresopolis - Brazil

Cachoeira (waterfall) dos Frades in Teresopolis - Brazil

Cachoeira (waterfall) dos Frades in Teresopolis - Brazil

Cachoeira (waterfall) dos Frades in Teresopolis - Brazil

Beautiful church in downtown Nova Friborgo - Brazil

Chocalate and cheese factory in Nova Friborgo - Brazil

View at the top of this beautiful mountain in Nova Friborgo - Brazil

Paul and I going down from the mountain in Nova Friborgo - Brazil (I was a bit scared going up.... it was definitely better going down and the views was definitely worth the ride on this chair)

I hope you enjoyed the beautiful scenaries. Please feel free to drop a comment and also to let us know how we can improve this blog. Become a follower. Next trip will be in the amazing state of Bahia in Northern Brazil.