Bento Gonçalves is in the Serra Gaúcha (RS), while Porto Alegre is in the state of Rio Grande do Sul (RS): different regions of Brazil. Bento Gonçalves: Vale dos Vinhedos, the Maria Fumaça steam train and vineyards that turn golden in autumn; Porto Alegre: sunset on the Guaíba with a gourd of chimarrão, the traditional hot yerba mate, in hand. For this month's weather, Porto Alegre has the edge. The two are about 122 km (76 mi) apart, 1h48 by car; you can combine them in a single trip.
The average nightly rate is around R$ 440 in Bento Gonçalves and R$ 423 in Porto Alegre; what changes in practice is each place's season. Check current prices for your dates before deciding.
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Frequently asked questions
Bento Gonçalves or Porto Alegre: which is better?
Bento Gonçalves is in the Serra Gaúcha (RS), while Porto Alegre is in the state of Rio Grande do Sul (RS): different regions of Brazil. Bento Gonçalves: Vale dos Vinhedos, the Maria Fumaça steam train and vineyards that turn golden in autumn; Porto Alegre: sunset on the Guaíba with a gourd of chimarrão, the traditional hot yerba mate, in hand. For this month's weather, Porto Alegre has the edge. The two are about 122 km (76 mi) apart, 1h48 by car; you can combine them in a single trip.
What is the best time to visit Bento Gonçalves and Porto Alegre?
The best time to visit Bento Gonçalves is from August to December; for Porto Alegre, it is from January to May, 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 Porto Alegre, Bento Gonçalves is 122 km (76 mi) and costs about R$ 112 each way (fuel plus tolls); leaving from Gramado, Porto Alegre is 115 km (71 mi) and costs about R$ 72 each way (fuel plus tolls). The calculation assumes a car that gets 11 km/L. Lodging and activities vary with each place's season.
Where does it rain less, Bento Gonçalves or Porto Alegre?
Averaged over the year, Bento Gonçalves has 11 rainy days a month and Porto Alegre has 9. Porto Alegre is the drier of the two over the year as a whole, but what decides the trip is the month: the rainiest month in Bento Gonçalves is October and in Porto Alegre, July. For temperature, Porto Alegre is the warmer one (average high of 26° versus 24°).
How many days should you spend in Bento Gonçalves and in Porto Alegre?
To see the main sights without rushing, Bento Gonçalves calls for 2–3 days and Porto Alegre, 2–3 days. Since the two are 122 km (76 mi) from each other, anyone with 4 days or more can combine them in a single trip.
Bento Gonçalves or Porto Alegre with kids?
Porto Alegre (sunset on the Guaíba, Gaúcho culture, and Chimarrão) is the better pick of the two for families. Bento Gonçalves (wine capital, Vale dos Vinhedos, and Italian settlement) is geared more toward adults or couples. With small children, weather matters: Porto Alegre has fewer rainy days over the year.
Can you visit Bento Gonçalves and Porto Alegre on the same trip?
Yes. The two are about 122 km (76 mi) apart, 1h48 by car. Combining them in a single itinerary is common, with a few days in each.
What should you not miss in each?
In Bento Gonçalves: Vale dos Vinhedos (Wine Route), Wineries of the valley, Pinto Bandeira. In Porto Alegre: Usina do Gasômetro, Public Market, Farroupilha Park (Redenção). These are the sights that show up most in first-trip itineraries for each destination; the full guide to each has the whole list.
