Nowhere near as charming nor as imperial as Petrópolis, Teresópolis is a bustling, modern, upscale alpine resort nestled in the Serra dos Órgãos mountain range. The town’s name pays homage to Empress Teresa Cristina, wife of Dom Pedro II, who was taken by the area’s magnificent mountain scenery and refreshing climate.

The highest town in Rio de Janeiro state, Teresópolis’s main interest lies in its proximity to the Parque Nacional da Serra dos Órgãos.

Getting to Teresópolis

Viação Teresópolis (tel. 21/2742-2676) offers bus service every 30 minutes between Teresópolis and Rio de Janeiro (two-hour trip) and every hour between Teresópolis and Petrópolis (1.5 hour trip).

To reach Teresópolis directly from Rio by car (1.5 hour trip), take the BR-040 and the BR-116. The driving time by car between Petrópolis and Teresópolis is about 45 minutes.