São Francisco Xavier, São José dos Campos, São Paulo
São Francisco Xavier is a mountain village in the Serra da Mantiqueira at around 2,300 feet (700 meters) above sea level, characterized by forests, waterfalls, and peaks like Pico do Focinho D'Anta. The area features simple architecture, quiet streets, and several lodges with wooden cabins, fireplaces, and views of the mountain landscape.
The village developed as a stopover for tropeiros, merchants from Minas Gerais who traded goods on their way to São José dos Campos. It was officially established in the late 1800s and relied on farming and livestock for many years before becoming a tourist destination.
The district is locally called São Xico, reflecting the close connection residents have to this small community. Visitors can observe traditional crafts like weaving and woodcarving, along with local food traditions featuring pinhão, a pine nut central to regional cooking.
A car is the best way to explore the area freely and stop at main attractions. Most hiking trails are accessible and lead to waterfalls, viewpoints, and nearby peaks with varying difficulty levels.
The place is known for aquariding on Rio do Peixe, where visitors float downstream on a boat and stop at waterfalls along the way. This unusual activity combines adventure with natural enjoyment and offers a different perspective on the river landscape.
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