Between the Vale do Paraíba and the sea at Paraty, high in the range, Cunha has built an identity no other town in São Paulo state has: lavender scenting the fields, high-temperature ceramics fired in century-old Japanese kilns and mountain landscapes that take their leave at the sea. A destination of the senses — smell, touch and sight all work full shifts.
Getting there
About 250 km from São Paulo (via Guaratinguetá) and just 46 km from Paraty along the historic and scenic Cunha-Paraty road (partly unpaved) — which makes Cunha the perfect mountain-and-sea pairing. Three days and two nights cover the essentials.
The lavender fields
The Lavandário (tickets from R$ 40) grows 40,000 plants in flower all year round — the purple sunset is the golden hour. Its neighbor the Contemplário, free of charge, lets you walk among lavender, rosemary and lemongrass. Between the two, shops sell oils, soaps and the lavender ice cream that has become an institution.
The ceramics capital
Since the 1970s, Cunha’s ceramicists have mastered the noborigama — a Japanese wood-fired kiln that fires pieces at 1,350 °C over several days. The studios (Cassinha, Suenaga & Jardineiro and many others) open for visits, and the kiln openings on public holidays are much sought-after events: pieces still warm coming out of the chambers like loaves of clay. Leave room in your bag.
Ranges and waterfalls
Pedra da Macela (1,850 m) delivers the most generous double view in the region — Paraty, Angra and Ilha Grande at your feet (full article: Pedra da Macela). The Núcleo Cunha of PE Serra do Mar has cloud-forest trails (free with guides at weekends), and Cachoeira do Pimenta drops 70 meters in three falls with full facilities.
When to go
The whole year works: winter for the fireplace, pine nuts and ceramics; spring and summer for waterfalls and fields in flower (with afternoon rain). The local table — shiitake, trout, lamb and blackberry — deserves a booking at weekends.
🥾 Who is it for?
Effort: easy at the lavender farms, studios and organized waterfalls; moderate on the Macela and the park trails. Children: lavender fields and kiln openings enchant from an early age; the Macela from ages 8-10. Seniors and reduced mobility: Cunha is generous — the Lavandário and Contemplário have flat paths, the studios are welcoming and the Pimenta has a lookout close by; only the Macela demands legs.
