Canela is in the Serra Gaúcha (RS), while Porto Alegre is in the state of Rio Grande do Sul (RS): different regions of Brazil. Canela: the town of the Stone Cathedral, mountain waterfalls and araucaria forest; 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 123 km (76 mi) apart, 2h12 by car; you can combine them in a single trip.
The average nightly rate is around R$ 337 in Canela and R$ 423 in Porto Alegre; what changes in practice is each place's season. Check current prices for your dates before deciding.
Compare hotels and places to stay in Canela on Booking.com, with up-to-date prices and availability, before you book.
Rates change with the dates: confirm the price on Booking.com.
Frequently asked questions
Canela or Porto Alegre: which is better?
Canela is in the Serra Gaúcha (RS), while Porto Alegre is in the state of Rio Grande do Sul (RS): different regions of Brazil. Canela: the town of the Stone Cathedral, mountain waterfalls and araucaria forest; 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 123 km (76 mi) apart, 2h12 by car; you can combine them in a single trip.
What is the best time to visit Canela and Porto Alegre?
The best time to visit Canela 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, Canela is 123 km (76 mi) and costs about R$ 75 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, Canela or Porto Alegre?
Averaged over the year, Canela 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 Canela 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 Canela and in Porto Alegre?
To see the main sights without rushing, Canela calls for 2–3 days and Porto Alegre, 2–3 days. Since the two are 123 km (76 mi) from each other, anyone with 4 days or more can combine them in a single trip.
Canela or Porto Alegre with kids?
Both work with kids: Canela (Stone Cathedral, Cascata do Caracol, and mountain cold) and Porto Alegre (sunset on the Guaíba, Gaúcho culture, and Chimarrão). The choice usually comes down to getting there, not to infrastructure. With small children, weather matters: Porto Alegre has fewer rainy days over the year.
Can you visit Canela and Porto Alegre on the same trip?
Yes. The two are about 123 km (76 mi) apart, 2h12 by car. Combining them in a single itinerary is common, with a few days in each.
What should you not miss in each?
In Canela: Stone Cathedral (Our Lady of Lourdes), Parque do Caracol and Cascata do Caracol, Parque da Ferradura. 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.
