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Which is better: Arraial do Cabo or Campos do Jordão?

Short answer

Arraial do Cabo is in Rio de Janeiro and its surroundings (RJ), while Campos do Jordão is in the Serra da Mantiqueira (SP): different regions of Brazil. Arraial do Cabo: the Brazilian Caribbean of the Região dos Lagos (Lakes Region); Campos do Jordão: Brazil's highest town, at 1,628 m in the Serra da Mantiqueira. For this month's weather, Arraial do Cabo has the edge.

Sources: INMET (updated 2026) · ANP · OpenStreetMap
Most reviewed activity in Arraial do CaboArraial do Cabo Boat Trip★ 8.7 · 20 reviews · from US$ 56 · via CivitatisSee dates and price →
Most reviewed activity in Campos do JordãoCampos do Jordão Sightseeing Tour★ 9.1 · 72 reviews · from US$ 20 · via CivitatisSee dates and price →
Arraial do Cabo Campos do Jordão
Best time to visit Apr → Nov Jun → Sep
Weather this month 25° · 8 days of rain 21° · 12 days of rain
By car R$ 394 · from São Paulo R$ 94 + tolls · from São Paulo
Ideal stay 2–3 days 3–4 days
Best for Family, Adventure, Relax, Romantic Romantic, Food, Family, Relax
Choose Arraial do Cabo if

you want a trip for families and adventure seekers: transparent water, white sand and the clearest (and coldest) sea on the Rio de Janeiro coast.

See guide
Choose Campos do Jordão if

you want a trip for couples and food lovers: the "Brazilian Switzerland" of cold weather, pine nuts and the Winter Festival.

See guide
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Where to stay

Where to stay: Arraial do Cabo or Campos do Jordão

The average nightly rate is around R$ 351 in Arraial do Cabo and R$ 197 in Campos do Jordão; what changes in practice is each place's season. Check current prices for your dates before deciding.

Compare hotels and places to stay in Arraial do Cabo on Booking.com, with up-to-date prices and availability, before you book.

Sophia 2 Residence Inn in Arraial do Cabo 9.5 ★★★★★ · 12 reviews Sophia 2 Residence Inn See on Booking → Mediterrane Hotel by Castelo Itaipava in Arraial do Cabo 8.4 ★★★★ · 42 reviews Mediterrane Hotel by Castelo Itaipava See on Booking →
See all hotels in Arraial do Cabo

Compare hotels and places to stay in Campos do Jordão on Booking.com, with up-to-date prices and availability, before you book.

Hotel Dan Inn Campos do Jordao in Campos do Jordão 8.5 ★★★ · 85 reviews Hotel Dan Inn Campos do Jordao See on Booking → Hotel Castelo Nacional Inn Campos do Jordao in Campos do Jordão 8.6 ★★★★ · 35 reviews Hotel Castelo Nacional Inn Campos do Jordao See on Booking →
See all hotels in Campos do Jordão

Rates change with the dates: confirm the price on Booking.com.

Frequently asked questions

Arraial do Cabo or Campos do Jordão: which is better?
Arraial do Cabo is in Rio de Janeiro and its surroundings (RJ), while Campos do Jordão is in the Serra da Mantiqueira (SP): different regions of Brazil. Arraial do Cabo: the Brazilian Caribbean of the Região dos Lagos (Lakes Region); Campos do Jordão: Brazil's highest town, at 1,628 m in the Serra da Mantiqueira. For this month's weather, Arraial do Cabo has the edge.
What is the best time to visit Arraial do Cabo and Campos do Jordão?
The best time to visit Arraial do Cabo is from April to November; for Campos do Jordão, it is from June to September, based on INMET's climate normals (temperature and rainfall for each month). If your trip already has a date, check each destination's page for your month.
Which of the two is cheaper to get to?
By car, leaving from São Paulo, Arraial do Cabo is 585 km (364 mi) and costs about R$ 394 each way (fuel plus tolls); leaving from São Paulo, Campos do Jordão is 170 km (106 mi) and costs about R$ 94 each way (fuel only, tolls not included). The calculation assumes a car that gets 11 km/L. Lodging and activities vary with each place's season.
Where does it rain less, Arraial do Cabo or Campos do Jordão?
Averaged over the year, Arraial do Cabo has 7 rainy days a month and Campos do Jordão has 11. Arraial do Cabo is the drier of the two over the year as a whole, but what decides the trip is the month: the rainiest month in Arraial do Cabo is December and in Campos do Jordão, January. For temperature, Arraial do Cabo is the warmer one (average high of 26° versus 21°).
How many days should you spend in Arraial do Cabo and in Campos do Jordão?
To see the main sights without rushing, Arraial do Cabo calls for 2–3 days and Campos do Jordão, 3–4 days. These are distant regions: with a week or less, it is usually better to pick one of the two and make the most of it.
Arraial do Cabo or Campos do Jordão with kids?
Both work with kids: Arraial do Cabo (crystal-clear water, boat trip, and diving) and Campos do Jordão (Brazil's highest town, mountain cold, and Winter Festival). The choice usually comes down to getting there, not to infrastructure. With small children, weather matters: Arraial do Cabo has fewer rainy days over the year.
What should you not miss in each?
In Arraial do Cabo: Boat circuit of the islands, Prainha, Praia do Forno. In Campos do Jordão: Campos do Jordão State Park (Horto Florestal), Morro do Elefante, Pico do Itapeva. These are the sights that show up most in first-trip itineraries for each destination; the full guide to each has the whole list.