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Which is better: Angra dos Reis or Caldas Novas?

Short answer

Angra dos Reis is in Rio de Janeiro and its surroundings (RJ), while Caldas Novas is in the state of Goiás (GO): different regions of Brazil. Angra dos Reis: gateway to more than 360 islands in Ilha Grande Bay; Caldas Novas: the largest hot springs in the world. The weather is similar in both this month.

Sources: INMET (updated 2026) · ANP · OpenStreetMap
Most reviewed activity in Angra dos ReisIlhas Botinas Boat Trip + Angra dos Reis Beaches★ 10 · 6 reviews · from US$ 35 · via CivitatisSee dates and price →
Angra dos Reis Caldas Novas
Best time to visit May → Aug May → Aug
Weather this month 28° · 13 days of rain 33° · 11 days of rain
By car R$ 293 · from São Paulo R$ 113 · from Goiânia
Ideal stay 3–4 days 3–4 days
Best for Adventure, Relax, Family, Romantic Family, Relax, Romantic
Choose Angra dos Reis if

you want a trip for adventure seekers and relaxation: a schooner in the morning, green sea in the afternoon and Ilha Grande a boat trip away.

See guide
Choose Caldas Novas if

you want a trip for families and relaxation: naturally hot pools, water parks and the perfect contrast of a dry Cerrado winter.

See guide
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Where to stay

Where to stay: Angra dos Reis or Caldas Novas

The average nightly rate is around R$ 242 in Angra dos Reis and R$ 298 in Caldas Novas; what changes in practice is each place's season. Check current prices for your dates before deciding.

Compare hotels and places to stay in Angra dos Reis on Booking.com, with up-to-date prices and availability, before you book.

See all hotels in Angra dos Reis

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

Best Western Suites Le Jardin Caldas Novas in Caldas Novas 9 · 26 reviews Best Western Suites Le Jardin Caldas Novas See on Booking → Acqua Bella Thermas Hotel in Caldas Novas 8.7 ★★★ · 39 reviews Acqua Bella Thermas Hotel See on Booking →
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Rates change with the dates: confirm the price on Booking.com.

Frequently asked questions

Angra dos Reis or Caldas Novas: which is better?
Angra dos Reis is in Rio de Janeiro and its surroundings (RJ), while Caldas Novas is in the state of Goiás (GO): different regions of Brazil. Angra dos Reis: gateway to more than 360 islands in Ilha Grande Bay; Caldas Novas: the largest hot springs in the world. The weather is similar in both this month.
What is the best time to visit Angra dos Reis and Caldas Novas?
The best time to visit Angra dos Reis is from May to August; for Caldas Novas, it is from May to August, 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, Angra dos Reis is 384 km (239 mi) and costs about R$ 293 each way (fuel plus tolls); leaving from Goiânia, Caldas Novas is 170 km (106 mi) and costs about R$ 113 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, Angra dos Reis or Caldas Novas?
Averaged over the year, Angra dos Reis has 12 rainy days a month and Caldas Novas has 9. Caldas Novas is the drier of the two over the year as a whole, but what decides the trip is the month: the rainiest month in Angra dos Reis is January and in Caldas Novas, December. For temperature, Caldas Novas is the warmer one (average high of 31° versus 29°).
How many days should you spend in Angra dos Reis and in Caldas Novas?
To see the main sights without rushing, Angra dos Reis calls for 3–4 days and Caldas Novas, 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.
Angra dos Reis or Caldas Novas with kids?
Both work with kids: Angra dos Reis (365 islands in the bay; schooner trip; green sea and Atlantic Forest) and Caldas Novas (hot springs, hot pools, and water parks). The choice usually comes down to getting there, not to infrastructure. With small children, weather matters: Caldas Novas has fewer rainy days over the year.
What should you not miss in each?
In Angra dos Reis: Schooner trip around the islands, Ilha Grande (day trip), Lopes Mendes Beach. In Caldas Novas: Hot Park, diRoma Acqua Park, Lagoa Termas Parque. These are the sights that show up most in first-trip itineraries for each destination; the full guide to each has the whole list.