How to get to Iracambi

How to get from there to here

Volunteers, researchers and interns from all over the world have made their way to Iracambi, traveling by bus, plane, taxi, horse or even on their feet. At last count our visitors had come from over forty different countries to help us in our work of saving forests and changing lives.

And while the journey  may seem daunting to some, it's not that difficult, and if you read on you´ll find all the information you could ever need. 

Keep reading for information on how to get here from Rio, São Paulo, Salvador and Belo Horizonte, but please bear in mind that while we do make every effort to keep the information as up to date as possible, bus timetables do change.Follow this link to download the basic information re. bus times and prices.

Making Travel Plans

Please plan on arriving at Iracambi on either a Monday or Tuesday.  This will allow you time to settle in, and give us a chance to see that you have an orientation before starting work! 

Your journey will be split into 3 stages:

• Departure point (Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Salvador or Belo Horizonte) to Muriaé or Viçosa
• Muriaé or Viçosa to Rosário da Limeira
• Rosário da Limeira to Fazenda Iracambi

Rio de Janeiro to Muriaé

If you arrive at Rio de Janeiro International Airport before 12:00 noon, you can get to Iracambi the same day: if your flight gets in later, it’s best to spend the night in Rio and come up the next morning. To get here by bus, you should go to the Rodoviária Novo Rio, the main inter-state bus terminal. The ground floor of the Rodoviária is the entrance and where the buses depart from: the ticket offices are upstairs. Go upstairs, turn left at the top of the stairs then go to the Viação Rio Doce bus company ticket booth (numbers 46 & 47, in the far right-hand corner) and buy a ticket to Muriaé. It will cost around R$40-R$50. There are many buses that either go to or through Muriaé; try and get the first available one so that you can get to Rosário da Limeira before dusk, since you may find us difficult to find in the dark. The journey will last around 5-6 hours with a stop along the way for meals, coffee, smoke, and bathroom break. (There is one on the bus.) The buses run every hour on the hour and usually leave from Platform 37-38 (turn right halfway across the bridge behind the ticket office). Bus times can change because of heavy rain, road works, holiday seasons etc: if you get a chance please check the timetable on (www.viacaoriodoce.com.br) or call them (21 2233 5351.)

São Paulo to Muriaé

From São Paulo you need to take the Itapemirim bus from the Terminal Tieté. The bus leaves São Paulo daily at 15.30 and 22.00 and the journey should take around 10 hours. Check the timetable (www.itapemirim.com.br) or call them (0800 723 2121).  Don’t confuse Rosário da Limeira; Minas Gerais with Limeira, São Paulo or you’ll be in for a big surprise (and a long walk!)

When you arrive at the Terminal Tieté go to the Informações (Information) desk and ask where the Itapemirim booth is. The company booths are all in a central location so they are not too hard to find. Once there, purchase a ticket to Muriaé. It will cost about R$72 and Itapemirim accepts major credit cards and cash for ticket payment. Your ticket will tell you which is the Portão de Embarque (departure gate), all of which are downstairs.

Salvador to Muriaé

From Salvador, do NOT go via Belo Horizonte unless you want to add 7 hours to your journey. The Itapemirim bus Salvador - Rio de Janeiro via Governador Valadares passes through Muriaé and will drop you off there. The buses depart daily at 09.30, costs around R$163 and takes around 23 hours. Check the timetable (www.itapemirim.com.br) or call them (0800 723 2121). The bus will drop you at a stop on the highway which is not the bus station which is a short taxi ride away. 

You could also fly Salvador Rio and come up from there. 

Belo Horizonte to Viçosa

The Pássaro Verde bus company runs buses from Belo Horizonte to Viçosa at 05:30, 06:30, 12:30, 15:00 and 00:00. The journey takes around 5 hours and costs around R$40-R$50. Check the website (www.passaroverde.com.br) or give them a call on (31 3073 7000.)

Muriaé to Rosário da Limeira

On arrival at Muriaé you'll need to buy a ticket to Limeira. Go through the barrier and upstairs to the Novo Horizonte ticket office and purchase a ticket to Rosário da Limeira. The Novo Horizonte buses leave at 6.00am, 8.45 am, 11.30, 13.30, 14.45 and 18.00 (Mon-Fri) and 13.30 and 20.00 (Sat – Sun). Unida also run one or two buses a day to Rosário da Limeira, check the times at their office.

There are a number of hotels in Muriaé if you need to stay overnight. A list can be found on www.vtn.com.br/hospedagem/estados/minasgerais/jp/muriaeondeficar.htm There is a new (but expensive) hotel just in front of the bus station called the Minas Palace (Av. Doutor Passos, 87, Centro. Tel. 32 3721 4049). A cheaper option is the Hotel Regina (Rua Coronel Marciano Rodrigues, 190, Centro. Tel. 32 3721 1188). Hotel Rex in the main square is a good, basic hotel (Rua Pascoal Bernardino, 247, Centro. Tel. 32 3722 1591), as is Hotel Vila Rica, across the road from Banco do Brasil in the main square (Rua Pascoal Bernardino, 136, Centro. Tel. 32 3722 3600).

Viçosa to Rosário da Limeira

If you have traveled from Belo Horizonte to Viçosa you will need to catch the Unida bus to Rosário da Limeira. Be aware that it leaves at  06.45, so it's best to get the midnight bus from Belo Horizonte, so you don’t have to spend the night at Viçosa. The journey to Limeira will take around 1½ hours and the ticket will cost R$16. Check times and prices with the bus company’s website (www.empresaunida.com.br) or call them (31 3891 2926).

Rosário da Limeira to Fazenda Iracambi

The bus will arrive in the main square of Rosário da Limeira, in front of the bar, Nossa Senhora. The taxi rank is in front of the Farmácia opposite the bar. Any of the taxi drivers will know where to take you, probably before you open your mouth. Tell them anyway - you are going to the Centro de Pesquisas Iracambi. Occasionally, due to weather and road conditions the driver will be unable to take you all the way there, but he should leave you within easy walking distance.

You also have the option of taking the school bus from Limeira, which is free! This is a white bus and it leaves from the main square at 11.40am, 4.40pm and 10.20pm. Ask the driver to tell you where to get off - either on the top road from where you can clearly see the Center below or where there´s a fork in the road, and you take a left 50 meters to the sign and then right along the Center road.

Suggested Route from Rio de Janeiro to Iracambi

Depart Rio 8.00am - Arrive Muriaé 1.00pm (bus marked ‘Valadares”): Depart Muriaé 1.30pm - Arrive Limeira 3.00pm: Depart Limeira either immediately by taxi or on the 4.40pm school bus – Arrive Iracambi 20 mins later.

Suggested Route from São Paulo to Iracambi

Depart São Paulo 10.00pm – Arrive Muriaé 7.00am: Depart Muriaé 8.45am – Arrive Limeira 10.15am: Depart Limeira either immediately by taxi or on the 11.40am school bus – Arrive Iracambi 20 mins later.

Suggested Route from Salvador to Iracambi

Depart Salvador 9.30am – Arrive Muriaé 8.30am: Taxi to Muriaé bus station: Depart Muriaé 11.30am - Arrive Limeira 1.00pm: Depart Limeira either immediately by taxi or on the 4.40pm school bus – Arrive Iracambi 20 mins later.

Suggested Route from Belo Horizonte to Iracambi

Depart Belo 12.00 midnight – Arrive Viçosa 5.00am: Depart Viçosa 6.45am – Arrive Limeira 8.15am: Depart Limeira either immediately by taxi or on the 11.40am school bus – Arrive Iracambi 20 mins later.

Hostels & Hotels

There are lots of hotels and  hostels - check out your guidebook.

Travel tips for GringosIf you don’t know Brazil too well and don’t speak Portuguese then here are a few tips to help you with your journey. First, remember that almost all Brazilians are incredibly nice and helpful, so doin't be afraid to ask. Someone may even speak English! 

• At the bus stations, go to the Informaçôes (Information) desk to find the appropriate ticket booth. It helps to have the name of the bus company and your intended destination written on a piece of paper.
• If you can book ahead do so, if not you can almost always get a seat anyway.Your ticket should indicate which Portão de Embarque (Departure Gate) the bus leaves from. The departure gate will have a large number that corresponds to the ticket. All interstate buses require you to fill in the ID form and present it to the driver together with your ID as you board.
• Keep any valuables in your hand luggage and close to your person. If you think you may sleep on the bus then keep your bag closed and the strap looped around your foot for security.Buses on long journeys will make regular stops, of between 10-30 minutes. Check with the driver when you need to be back on the bus and note which bus is yours when you get off – you don’t want to end up on the wrong one! If you are getting off before the final stop, check your arrival time and ask someone to wake you. People have been known to sleep through, although normally the bus driver will eject you.
• One small tip. The bus company warns passengers of the possibility of an old trick well known to travellers in Italy as Buona Notte Cenerentola ("Goodnight Cinderella!"). A friendly soul chats you up, offers you food or a beverage which contains a sleeping pill, and once the pill takes effect, then relieves you of your possessions. Didn't your parents ever warn you about taking food from strangers?

This said, have a safe trip and we look forward to seeing you at Iracambi.