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Which is better: Campos do Jordão or Canela?

Short answer

Campos do Jordão is in the Serra da Mantiqueira (SP), while Canela is in the Serra Gaúcha (RS): different regions of Brazil. Campos do Jordão: Brazil's highest town, at 1,628 m in the Serra da Mantiqueira; Canela: the town of the Stone Cathedral, mountain waterfalls and araucaria forest. For this month's weather, Canela has the edge.

Sources: INMET (updated 2026) · ANP · OpenStreetMap
Most reviewed activity in Campos do JordãoCampos do Jordão Sightseeing Tour★ 9.1 · 72 reviews · from US$ 20 · via CivitatisSee dates and price →
Most reviewed activity in CanelaTicket to Skyglass Canela★ 8.7 · 47 reviews · from US$ 29 · via CivitatisSee dates and price →
Campos do Jordão Canela
Best time to visit Jun → Sep Aug → Dec
Weather this month 21° · 12 days of rain 23.7° · 12 days of rain
By car R$ 94 + tolls · from São Paulo R$ 75 · from Porto Alegre
Ideal stay 3–4 days 2–3 days
Best for Romantic, Food, Family, Relax Family, Adventure, Relax, Romantic
Choose Campos do Jordão if

you want a trip for couples and food lovers: the "Brazilian Switzerland" of cold weather, pine nuts and the Winter Festival.

See guide
Choose Canela if

you want a trip for families and adventure seekers: Gramado's wilder neighbor, just 8 km away.

See guide
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Where to stay

Where to stay: Campos do Jordão or Canela

The average nightly rate is around R$ 197 in Campos do Jordão and R$ 337 in Canela; what changes in practice is each place's season. Check current prices for your dates before deciding.

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

Hotel Dan Inn Campos do Jordao in Campos do Jordão 8.5 ★★★ · 85 reviews Hotel Dan Inn Campos do Jordao See on Booking → Hotel Castelo Nacional Inn Campos do Jordao in Campos do Jordão 8.6 ★★★★ · 35 reviews Hotel Castelo Nacional Inn Campos do Jordao See on Booking →
See all hotels in Campos do Jordão

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

Hotel Laghetto Vivace in Canela 9.3 ★★★ · 25 reviews Hotel Laghetto Vivace See on Booking → SKY VILLE HOTEL CANELA - Otima Localizacao in Canela 8.8 ★★★ · 75 reviews SKY VILLE HOTEL CANELA - Otima Localizacao See on Booking →
See all hotels in Canela

Rates change with the dates: confirm the price on Booking.com.

Frequently asked questions

Campos do Jordão or Canela: which is better?
Campos do Jordão is in the Serra da Mantiqueira (SP), while Canela is in the Serra Gaúcha (RS): different regions of Brazil. Campos do Jordão: Brazil's highest town, at 1,628 m in the Serra da Mantiqueira; Canela: the town of the Stone Cathedral, mountain waterfalls and araucaria forest. For this month's weather, Canela has the edge.
What is the best time to visit Campos do Jordão and Canela?
The best time to visit Campos do Jordão is from June to September; for Canela, it is from August to December, 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, Campos do Jordão is 170 km (106 mi) and costs about R$ 94 each way (fuel only, tolls not included); leaving from Porto Alegre, Canela is 123 km (76 mi) and costs about R$ 75 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, Campos do Jordão or Canela?
Averaged over the year, Campos do Jordão has 11 rainy days a month and Canela has 11. The two are practically tied over the year, but what decides the trip is the month: the rainiest month in Campos do Jordão is January and in Canela, October. For temperature, Canela is the warmer one (average high of 24° versus 21°).
How many days should you spend in Campos do Jordão and in Canela?
To see the main sights without rushing, Campos do Jordão calls for 3–4 days and Canela, 2–3 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.
Campos do Jordão or Canela with kids?
Both work with kids: Campos do Jordão (Brazil's highest town, mountain cold, and Winter Festival) and Canela (Stone Cathedral, Cascata do Caracol, and mountain cold). The choice usually comes down to getting there, not to infrastructure.
What should you not miss in each?
In Campos do Jordão: Campos do Jordão State Park (Horto Florestal), Morro do Elefante, Pico do Itapeva. In Canela: Stone Cathedral (Our Lady of Lourdes), Parque do Caracol and Cascata do Caracol, Parque da Ferradura. These are the sights that show up most in first-trip itineraries for each destination; the full guide to each has the whole list.