Ypê Amarelo

Top choice in Rio de Janeiro State


A welcoming oasis at the edge of Itatiaia town, this combo pousada-campground has pleasant green grounds, a pool, sauna and soccer and basketball facilities. From Itatiaia's bus station, walk 15 minutes west, or call for a free pickup. The national park bus stop is only 200m away, and superfriendly hosts Vanessa and Bruno offer valuable assistance to park visitors.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Rio de Janeiro State attractions

2. Mirante Último Adeus

3.22 MILES

Accessible via a short flight of steps off the main road, about 2.5 miles above the lower park entrance, this viewpoint commands sweeping views of…

3. Centro de Visitantes

3.82 MILES

Revamped to celebrate Itatiaia's 80th anniversary in 2017, this visitors center, 5km uphill from the lower entrance, houses exhibits about the biology and…

4. Lago Azul

3.93 MILES

From park headquarters, a 500m trail descends to this natural pool in the Rio Campo Belo, a popular spot for swimming.

5. Três Cachoeiras

5.33 MILES

This waterfall and its popular adjacent swimming hole are 2km west of downtown Penedo along the main road just before it starts climbing to Alto do Penedo.

6. Cachoeira do Maromba

5.37 MILES

Just below the point where the lower park road dead-ends, Maromba's waters surge through a rocky gorge into a sun-dappled natural swimming hole.

7. Véu de Noiva Waterfall

5.44 MILES

Reached by a 500m trail through the forest, a few kilometers up the road from park headquarters, this 40m-high waterfall tumbles down a cliff face into a…

8. Cachoeira de Deus

5.59 MILES

This waterfall is about a 20-minute walk uphill from the bus turnaround in Alto do Penedo. Ask locally for directions, as signs are intermittent.