Taubaté, Brazil
Region: São Paulo
Geographic Coordinates: -23.025000, -45.555600
Temperature Range: 15.0°C to 30.0°C (59°F to 86°F)
Climate: Tropical climate with rainy season from October to March and dry season from April to September.
Population: 317915
Language: Portuguese
Taubaté is a city located in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. It is situated in the Paraíba Valley, Between the Serra do Mar mountain range and the Mantiqueira Mountains. The city has a rich history that dates back to colonial times when it was an important trading post for gold and diamonds. Today, Taubaté is known for its cultural heritage, Natural beauty, And vibrant economy. One of the most iconic landmarks in Taubaté is the Santa Terezinha Church.
Built-in 1935, This beautiful church features neo-Gothic architecture and stunning stained-glass windows that depict scenes from the life of Saint Therese of Lisieux. Another notable attraction in Taubaté is the Mazzaropi Museum which celebrates the life and work of Amácio Mazzaropi – one of Brazil’s most beloved comedians. Nature lovers will appreciate Taubaté’s proximity to some of Brazil’s most stunning national parks such as Serra da Bocaina National Park and Itatiaia National Park which are both within driving distance from the city center. These parks offer breathtaking views of waterfalls, Mountains, And lush forests teeming with wildlife.
Taubaté also has a thriving economy thanks to its strategic location at a major crossroads connecting São Paulo with Rio de Janeiro. The city has become an important hub for logistics companies as well as manufacturers producing everything from automotive parts to consumer electronics. Cuisine lovers will enjoy exploring Taubate´s culinary scene which features traditional Brazilian dishes such as feijoada (a hearty stew made with black beans), Churrasco (Brazilian barbecue), Coxinha (deep-fried chicken croquettes), Among others.
visitors can experience first-hand some unique cultural events that take place throughout Taubate´s calendar year such as Carnaval where you can find samba schools parading through the streets, Oktoberfest which celebrates German culture with beer and traditional food, And Festa de São Benedito which honors the patron saint of Taubaté with processions, Music, And dance. Taubaté is a city rich in history, Culture, Natural beauty and economic development. Whether you are interested in exploring colonial architecture or hiking through stunning national parks or enjoying Brazilian cuisine or experiencing unique cultural events – Taubaté has something for everyone.
- Monteiro Lobato Museum – a museum dedicated to the life and works of Brazilian writer Monteiro Lobato.
- Sítio do Picapau Amarelo – a theme park based on the famous children’s book series by Monteiro Lobato.
- Taubaté Cathedral – a historic cathedral built in the 17th century.
- Mazzaropi Museum – a museum dedicated to Brazilian filmmaker Amácio Mazzaropi.
- Museu Histórico e Pedagógico Dom Pedro I e Dona Leopoldina – a museum showcasing the history of Brazil’s first emperor, Dom Pedro I, and his wife Dona Leopoldina.
- Parque do Itaim – a large park with hiking trails, sports fields, and playgrounds.
- Casa da Cultura de Taubaté – an art gallery and cultural center housed in a historic building from the 19th century.
- Mercado Municipal de Taubaté – a lively market selling local produce, crafts, and souvenirs.
- Cervejaria Devassa Taubaté – a brewery offering tours and tastings of its craft beers.
- Vale do Paraíba Science Park (Parque Tecnológico) – A science park that promotes innovation through research development activities for entrepreneurs to develop their business ideas into reality.
- Automotive industry: Taubaté is home to the Volkswagen factory which produces cars and engines for the Brazilian market.
- Technology industry: The city has a growing technology sector with companies such as Embraer and LG Electronics having facilities in the area.
- Agriculture: Taubaté is located in an agricultural region known for its production of coffee, sugar cane, and fruits.
- Education: The city has several universities and educational institutions that attract students from across Brazil.
- Retail: Taubaté has a thriving retail sector with shopping malls, supermarkets, and local markets selling a variety of goods.
- Health care: The city has several hospitals and medical clinics that serve residents of Taubaté and surrounding areas.
- Tourism: Taubaté is located near popular tourist destinations such as Campos do Jordão and São Paulo making it a hub for tourism-related businesses such as hotels, restaurants, and tour operators.
- The city of Taubaté was founded by Portuguese explorers in 1640.
- In 1674, the Taubaté Expedition, led by Pascoal Moreira Cabral, explored and opened up much of Brazil’s interior.
- Monteiro Lobato, a famous Brazilian author known for his children’s books featuring characters such as Emília and Visconde de Sabugosa, was born in Taubaté.
- During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the coffee boom made Taubaté one of the wealthiest cities in Brazil at that time.
- The Dutra Highway (BR-116), which connects São Paulo to Rio de Janeiro and passes through Taubaté, was constructed.
- Notable people from Taubaté include former Brazilian president Juscelino Kubitschek, Olympic gold medalist Fabiana Murer, and soccer player Neymar Jr., who played for a youth team in Taubaté early in his career despite being born nearby in Mogi das Cruzes.
- Museu Mazzaropi is a museum that pays tribute to the life and works of Brazilian filmmaker Amácio Mazzaropi.
- Museu Histórico e Pedagógico Monteiro Lobato showcases the life and literary works of Brazilian writer Monteiro Lobato.
- Casa da Cultura de Taubaté is an art center that offers exhibitions, workshops, and cultural events for visitors to enjoy.
- Catedral de São Francisco das Chagas is a stunning cathedral with intricate architecture and design that’s sure to impress anyone who visits.
- Monumento ao Saci Pererê is a statue dedicated to one of Brazil’s most famous folklore characters, the Saci Pererê.
- Parque do Itaim is a park with hiking trails, playgrounds, sports fields, and picnic areas for people of all ages to enjoy.
- Mercado Municipal de Taubaté is an indoor market where visitors can find fresh produce, meats, cheeses, and local crafts in a bustling atmosphere.
- Sítio do Picapau Amarelo is an interactive theme park based on Monteiro Lobato’s beloved children’s book series Sítio do Picapau Amarelo.
- Taubaté Futebol Clube – Established in 1914, Taubaté FC is the oldest football club in the city. The team has won several regional championships and played in Campeonato Brasileiro Série C (third division) several times.
- Vôlei Taubaté – Founded in 2013, Vôlei Taubaté is a professional volleyball team that competes at the highest level of Brazilian volleyball, Brazilian Superliga. The team has won three national championships and two South American Club Championships.
- Handebol Taubaté – Established in 2009, Handebol Taubaté is a professional handball team that competes at Liga Nacional de Handebol (the top level of Brazilian handball). The team has won four national championships and one Pan-American Club Championship.
- Futsal Magnus – Although not based directly out of Taubate itself but nearby Sorocaba City which lies within Sao Paulo State as well , this futsal club was founded by taubaense entrepreneur Marcos Sorato who owns Magnus Industries .The club plays at highest level possible i.e Liga Nacional de Futsal , having won five league titles so far .
- Taubate Rugby Football Club – This rugby union club was founded back around early 80s and was among first to introduce this sport to city .The club currently plays at second tier of Sao Paulo state championship for rugby union .
These are just some examples of sports teams with history from this vibrant city which also hosted events during Rio Olympics like Olympic Torch Relay passing through its streets or even being a training ground for few Olympic athletes from Brazil.
- Festa de São Gonçalo is a religious festival that occurs in January and honors Saint Gonçalo, the patron saint of Taubaté.
- Carnaval de Taubaté is one of Brazil’s most significant and beloved Carnival celebrations, featuring parades, music, and dancing throughout the city.
- Festival Nacional de Teatro de Taubaté is an annual theater festival held in July that brings together local and national theater groups to perform plays and shows.
- Festa do Divino Espírito Santo takes place in May or June as a religious celebration honoring the Holy Spirit with processions, feasts, and traditional dances.
- Feira Literária Internacional de Taubaté (FLIT) is a literary festival held annually since 2010 featuring book fairs, workshops for writers and readers alike.
- Encontro Nacional dos Motociclistas em Taubaté (ENMOT) – The National Meeting of Motorcyclists is an annual event where motorcycle enthusiasts from all over Brazil gather for a weekend of riding through scenic routes around town.
- Festival da Cultura Japonesa em Taubaté celebrates Japanese culture through food stalls selling sushi or tempura dishes; dance performances by local groups dressed up as geishas or samurais; exhibitions on origami techniques among others!
- Churrascaria Rodeio – famous for its Brazilian barbecue and meat dishes.
- Restaurante do Alemão – known for its German-inspired cuisine such as schnitzel and sauerkraut.
- Pizzaria Napolitana – serves authentic Neapolitan-style pizza.
- Bar do Bigode – a traditional bar that serves typical Brazilian snacks and drinks.
- Cervejaria Santa Catarina – a brewery that offers craft beer and pub food.
- Espetinho do Zé – specializes in skewered meats, a popular street food in Brazil.
- Empório Sabor & Arte – a cozy café that serves breakfast, lunch, and desserts made with local ingredients.
- Casa de Maria Bistrô – offers contemporary Brazilian cuisine with an emphasis on fresh seafood dishes.
- Pastelaria Tia Lúcia – offers delicious pastels (deep-fried pastry stuffed with savory fillings) which are very popular in the region.
- Chocolates Nestlé – This is an iconic chocolate factory located in Taubaté where visitors can take tours of the facility to learn about the history of chocolate making while sampling different types of chocolates produced by Nestle Brazil.
- Parque Municipal do Vale do Itaim: This park offers hiking trails, picnic areas, and a lake for fishing and boating.
- Parque Natural Municipal Fazenda Velha: This park is a great place for bird watching, hiking, and enjoying the natural beauty of Taubaté.
- Sítio do Picapau Amarelo: This is a theme park based on the popular children’s book series by Brazilian author Monteiro Lobato.
- Parque Dom Bosco: This park has sports fields, playgrounds, and picnic areas for families to enjoy.
- Aquário de Taubaté: The aquarium in Taubaté features a variety of fish species from the region’s rivers and streams.
- Centro Cultural Toninho Mendes: This cultural center hosts events such as concerts, theater performances, art exhibits, and workshops throughout the year.
- Praça Santa Terezinha: A public square with gardens that offer a peaceful space to relax or read a book in the shade of trees or benches around it.
- Teatro Metrópole: A theater that hosts plays, musicals & live music shows throughout the year with great acoustics for an amazing experience.
- Lagoa do Silvério – A beautiful lagoon that offers scenic views & opportunities to take walks or bike rides around it while enjoying nature at its best.
- Centro Esportivo e Recreativo Vale das Acácias – An outdoor recreational center equipped with sports fields & courts along with swimming pools that are perfect for family outings during summer months.
