Fundão – Waterfalls, Coast and Culture

Fundão combines waterfalls and protected natural areas with coastal towns and a rich cultural history. Notable natural attractions include Cachoeira de Fundão, with more than 500 metres of small waterfalls, and Parque Natural Goiapaba-açu. On the coast, Praia Grande offers a different experience with its urbanised waterfront promenade. When choosing your holiday rental, it is therefore worth first considering whether you want your trip to focus mainly on nature, culture or the coast.

Nature, Water and Varied Landscapes

Parque Natural Goiapaba-açu is a sustainable-use protected area in the district of Irundi, on the border between Fundão and Santa Teresa. More than 130 bird species have been recorded in the Environmental Protection Area (APA) and the park, including some endangered species. The protected area is therefore an important natural attraction for visitors who want to discover Fundão beyond its local history.

The waterfalls offer a different kind of nature experience. Cachoeira de Fundão consists of more than 500 metres of small waterfalls and is one of the city's attractions. Cachoeira do Jarrão is considered one of Fundão's best-known and most accessible waterfalls. It has a pool suitable for swimming and generally offers some supporting facilities. This lets you choose between the cascades and the swimming pool as different highlights.

The coast also offers a variety of waterscapes: Praia Grande is known for its calm, shallow water and has an urbanised waterfront promenade with kiosks and restaurants. At Foz do Rio Reis Magos, the river meets the sea; it is formed by the confluence of the Rio Fundão and the Rio Timbuí. Fishing and boat trips are possible there. These details describe different places and activities, not a single route.

Routes and Getting Around Fundão

Rota das Orquídeas is a 13-kilometre paved route. It passes through Três Barras, Duas Bocas and the Beira Rio neighbourhood in the seat of the municipality of Fundão. Rota das Orquídeas is also a road leading to Parque Municipal do Goiapaba-Açu. When choosing your accommodation, you can therefore consider whether you would rather focus your trip on Fundão's natural and road landscapes or on its cultural sites in the town centre.

For road travel, BR-101 is the main route to the municipality of Fundão, connecting it with the north and south of the state of Espírito Santo. Local and inland-grown tangerines are sold at a cluster of stalls along BR-101. Tourists often call these stalls “Shopping das Mexericas”.

In the seat of Fundão, Escadaria Crysantho de Jesus Rocha connects the lower part of town near the railway with the upper area around Igreja Matriz São José. This location helps you understand how the two parts of the town centre relate to one another. The Igreja Matriz is closely tied to the town's development and is considered a symbol of Fundão's identity, as well as of the faith and traditions of the families who built the town from the former Fazenda Taquaraçu.

Cultural History and Local Traditions

Several buildings tell the story of different periods in the area’s history. The former residence of the Agostini family in Fundão is listed as civil architecture in the state heritage register. Casa da Cultura in the centre was built around 1882 as the headquarters of Fazenda Taquaraçu. In Irundi stands Capela de Nossa Senhora da Vitória, built in 1878 and an example of religious architecture from the coffee-growing era in the interior of Espírito Santo. Igreja Bom Jesus da Lapa was built in the early 20th century on a rocky rise. It is a prominent landmark and part of the landscape associated with APA de Goiapaba-Açu.

Casa de Memória Antenor Neto in the district of Timbuí supports Congo culture in Fundão. It serves as a meeting place, rehearsal space and organisational centre for the bands de Congo de Fundão, including Associação das Bandas de Congo de Fundão (ABC). It also regularly runs workshops on making casacas and other instruments. Congo capixaba is prominent throughout the wider region and connects visitors with the Afro-Brazilian roots of the state of Espírito Santo.

Igreja Nossa Senhora da Penha plays a central role in the traditional folk festivals held in honour of São Benedito and São Sebastião. These festivals are considered the most important cultural expression of the municipality of Fundão. The cuisine also reflects a variety of influences, featuring ingredients from inland areas and the sea, handmade pasta, polenta, fish and traditional recipes passed down through generations.

If you would like to discover more destinations: Nova Venécia, Baixo Guandu, Mimoso do Sul, Serra, Pedro Canário, Angra dos Reis and Divino de São Lourenço.

For the broader travel overview: Espírito Santo.