Stand at the edge of the rail yards in Paranapiacaba and you will hear the fog before you see it: a cold mist rolling off the Atlantic rainforest and over rows of English-style timber houses built around a railway station. A clock made by Johnny Walker Benson still hangs in the rebuilt station, and rusting locomotives sit in the yards below. This is the Santo André that surprises visitors, and it sits inside a municipality that most people only know as an industrial name on the map of the ABC Region.
Santo André suits travellers based in São Paulo who want a day of forest trails and railway history without leaving the metropolitan region, and anyone passing through who prefers a slow village afternoon to a checklist of monuments. The city itself offers a central park and a municipal theatre; the district of Paranapiacaba offers the rainforest, the old railway village and the walking.
This guide covers the sights and experiences the source material supports, in the order worth doing them, followed by a one-day plan and answers to the practical questions that come up most often.
Top things to do in Santo André
1. Paranapiacaba village
The historical village was built by the English company São Paulo Railway around the train station Alto da Serra, and its architecture and many constructions have been preserved. The station has been rebuilt twice but still contains the original clock made by Johnny Walker Benson. The village keeps its original function as a railway village, though now only cargo trains pass through, with the exception of the touristic train operated by CPTM.
Walk down to the rail yards, which are somewhat of a train graveyard, with many rusting old wrecks you can look through. The railroad museum gives a privileged view of the village. Paranapiacaba is familiar enough with tourism and locals are friendly and happy to help, though English is not widely spoken in the area.
2. Hiking in the Paranapiacaba district
The rainforest surrounding the Paranapiacaba village is a State Park and offers many excellent hiking opportunities, including a 15 km hike right down to the coast through the Vale do Quilombo. This is the strongest reason to give the district a full day rather than an afternoon.
Hiring a guide is a good idea, since the rainforest is dense and people have been known to get lost. You can arrange one through the Paranapiacaba Environmental Monitors' Association on (11) 4439-0155, or ask around in the village.
3. Trem dos Ingleses
A steam locomotive ride along part of the original train line of São Paulo Railway, running from the Museu Ferroviário in Paranapiacaba village. The ride takes about 20 minutes and costs R$ 3.
It runs on Sundays from 10:00 to 16:00, so build your village visit around a Sunday if this is a priority. Combine it with the railroad museum, which is where the ride departs.
4. Central Park (Parque Central)
The city's central park, on Rua José Bonifácio, is the easiest green space to reach if you are spending your time in the urban part of Santo André rather than in Paranapiacaba. It works well as a low-effort stop between other errands in the centre.
Pair it with the municipal theatre nearby, since both sit in the same central area and can be covered in a single walk.
5. Santo André Municipal Theater (Teatro Municipal Santo André)
The municipal theatre stands at Praça IV Centenário 1 and is the main cultural venue named in the source material for the city itself. Check what is on before you go, as the building is worth a look primarily in connection with a performance or event.
It is a natural companion to Central Park (Parque Central), which is close enough to fold into the same outing.
If you only have one day
Morning: Take the touristic train operated by CPTM to Paranapiacaba village and start at the station, looking for the original clock made by Johnny Walker Benson. Move on to the railroad museum for its view over the village, then walk down through the rail yards to look at the rusting old wrecks.
Afternoon: If it is a Sunday, ride the Trem dos Ingleses from the Museu Ferroviário, which runs from 10:00 to 16:00, takes about 20 minutes and costs R$ 3. Otherwise, use the afternoon for hiking in the rainforest around the village; if you plan to walk, arrange a guide through the Paranapiacaba Environmental Monitors' Association on (11) 4439-0155, since the forest is dense and people have been known to get lost.
Evening: Return to the city and close the day at Central Park (Parque Central) on Rua José Bonifácio, with a look at Santo André Municipal Theater (Teatro Municipal Santo André) at Praça IV Centenário 1 if there is a performance on.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get to Paranapiacaba?
A touristic train operated by CPTM runs to the village, alongside the cargo trains that now use the line. The village grew up around the train station Alto da Serra, so arriving by rail is consistent with how the place was built.
Do I need a guide for the rainforest hikes?
Hiring a guide is a good idea. The rainforest is dense and people have been known to get lost. You can arrange one through the Paranapiacaba Environmental Monitors' Association on (11) 4439-0155, or ask around in the village.
When does the Trem dos Ingleses run, and what does it cost?
It runs on Sundays from 10:00 to 16:00, departs from the Museu Ferroviário in Paranapiacaba village, takes about 20 minutes and costs R$ 3.
Is English widely spoken?
As with most of the area, English is not widely spoken. Locals in Paranapiacaba are friendly and happy to help, and the village is familiar enough with tourism.
Decide whether your day belongs to the railway village or to the city centre, check the Sunday timing for the steam ride, and start planning around the train.