São João da Boa Vista

São João da Boa Vista is a municipality in the southeast of São Paulo state that spreads across gentle hills and agricultural land. The town sits in a transition zone between urban space and rural areas with coffee plantations and grazing fields.

The settlement emerged in the early 1820s at a rest stop along the Jaguari Mirim River, as travelers moved between larger towns in the region. By the mid-19th century the place received official status as an independent municipality and grew into a center for coffee farming and commerce.

Residents gather for weekly markets and seasonal festivals where local musicians perform and dishes from the region are shared with visitors. These events offer insight into the way of life and culinary identity of this inland São Paulo community.

Streets in the center follow a grid pattern, while outer neighborhoods spread more loosely across the terrain and sometimes have narrow access roads. Visitors on foot will find main points of interest and shops concentrated in the central areas.

The name of the municipality comes from a devotion to Saint John that travelers brought with them and later led to festivities around the saint's day. On some weekends in June locals gather around bonfires to celebrate this tradition with simple food and music.

Location: São Paulo

Inception: 1821

Elevation above the sea: 767 m

Shares border with: Espírito Santo do Pinhal, Aguaí, Águas da Prata, Andradas, Santo Antônio do Jardim, Vargem Grande do Sul

Website: https://saojoao.sp.gov.br

GPS coordinates: -21.96889,-46.79778

Latest update: December 17, 2025 07:34