Mendes between railway heritage and Atlantic Rainforest

In Mendes, railway and coffee-cycle history meet excursions into the Atlantic Rainforest. Historic buildings and nature destinations give your stay different focuses. If you are looking for a vacation rental, first consider whether you mainly want to explore the town’s history or also set aside time for nature and outdoor activities.

Railway heritage in different locations

Mendes railway station opened in 1911 and was an important stop on the railway line between Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. It is in the town center and provides a tangible connection to the area’s railway history. Another notable landmark is Tunnel 12 Bis in the Humberto Antunes neighborhood, built in 1815. The dates place these two sites in different periods: the tunnel dates from an earlier time than the station. Those interested in historic buildings will therefore find more than one way to explore Mendes’s railway history.

Coffee-cycle history, architecture, and art

Mendes’s main tourist attractions are connected to the heyday of the coffee cycle. They include Casa do Barão de Santa Cruz, a listed historic 19th-century building. It is protected for its colonial architecture and its role in the coffee cycle; it was listed under Municipal Decree No. 024 of 2006. The historic building of Cervejaria Teutônia adds another perspective as a 19th-century industrial heritage site and a symbol of the region’s economic transformation.

Churches and 20th-century buildings are also part of Mendes’s historic built heritage. Alongside this architectural history is Árvore da Vida, a striking three-dimensional public-art mosaic installation. The cultural picture thus ranges from older buildings to a contemporary work of art. If you would like to discover different facets of the area, you can make these themes distinct focuses of your trip.

Atlantic Rainforest and trails

The Atlantic Rainforest in Mendes offers numerous opportunities for ecotourism excursions. Hiking trails lead to the Cruzeiro viewpoint. Horto Municipal is at the end of Morro do Socorro and is considered the site of Brazil’s largest planting of Atlantic Rainforest seedlings. A 23-meter-high jequitibá tree stands in the Martins Costa neighborhood.

Visiting Jequitibá Milenar requires a 40-minute hike through Martins Costa and permission from the property owner, Sr. Tavinho. Confirm this access requirement again before your trip. Pedra do Índio is in the 5 Lagos neighborhood, along the region’s main mountain-biking route. The route is open to tourists and athletes; as conditions can change, check current access before setting out.

Choose your trip’s focus

Your planned focus can help guide your choice of vacation rental: the station is in the center, while nature destinations are associated with locations such as Martins Costa, Morro do Socorro, and 5 Lagos. Consider which of these experiences matter most to you, and take the relevant access requirements into account.

Discover more destinations: Nova Friburgo, Cabo Frio, Morro Azul, Cantagalo, Paracambi, Iguaba Grande, Bom Jardim, Rio De Janeiro

Go to the main travel overview: Rio De Janeiro.