In the print dialog pick “Save as PDF” to keep it on your phone. A5 makes a pocket booklet; A4 suits a desk printer.
Voykit pocket guide · Brazil
Arroio Grande
Spend a half day in Arroio Grande, mainly to see the historic Capela de Nossa Senhora das Graças; add a quick stop on the BR-116 road.
Arroio Grande is a small town on the BR-116 highway in Rio Grande do Sul, best visited as a brief stop when traveling between Jaguarão and Pelotas. Its main attraction is the early‑19th‑century chapel, and there are few other services, so a half‑day visit is sufficient.
- Country
- Brazil
- Best months
- Mar–May, Aug–Nov
- Avoid
- Jul–Aug (cool and wet)
- Stay
- 0 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- BRL
- Money
- Currency is the Brazilian real (BRL, R$). About R$5–5.8 per US dollar in 2026 — check. Cards and tap-to-pay are accepted almost everywhere, even at beach kiosks.
- Daily spend
- Budget R$80–120 excl. bed · Mid R$120–200 excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Vivo, Claro and TIM cover the country; buying a prepaid SIM needs a passport and sometimes a CPF — an eSIM before you fly is easier.
- Emergency
- Police 190 · Ambulance 192 · Fire 193
- Plugs
- Types N, C · 127 V (Rio, São Paulo) or 220 V (Brasília, much of the Northeast) · Check the voltage on the socket; most chargers are dual-voltage.
- Tipping
- Restaurant: 10% service (serviço) usually on the bill; optional but normal.; Beach kiosk / bar: Often included; round up.; Taxi / Uber: Not expected; round up.; Guide: US$5–15 per person per day.; Hotel staff: Small tip for porters.
- Water
- Do not drink tap water; filtered water is provided in most homes and hotels.
- Toilets
- Put toilet paper in the bin, not the toilet, in most places.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee at a local café | R$5–8 |
| Snack (pastel, sandwich) | R$8–12 |
| Taxi (5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi (3.1 mi (5 km)) | R$30–40 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- PET · Pelotas International Airport
- About 70 km (43 mi) north on the BR-116; the nearest airport with scheduled flights.About 43 mi (70 km) north on the BR-116; the nearest airport with scheduled flights.
- POA · Porto Alegre Salgado Filho
- About 300 km (186 mi) north; long-distance buses and cars reach Arroio Grande via the BR-116.About 186 mi (300 km) north; long-distance buses and cars reach Arroio Grande via the BR-116.
Typical fares
- BR-116 to Arroio Grande (car)
- ≈ R$30 for a 30-min ride
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Walk or local taxi from the highway; no public transport within town.
See and do
Known for
- Capela de Nossa Senhora das Graças
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Jaguarão | BR-116 south, about 30 km (19 mi), 30 min by carBR-116 south, about 19 mi (30 km), 30 min by car | ≈45 min |
| Pelotas | BR-116 north, about 70 km (43 mi), 1 h by carBR-116 north, about 43 mi (70 km), 1 h by car | ≈1 h 15 min |
| Rio Grande | BR-116 north to Pelotas, then BR-392 east | ≈2 h |
| Chuí | BR-116 south to Jaguarão, then BR-471 east | ≈3 h |
| São Lourenço do Sul | BR-116 north, then RS-265 east | ≈2 h 30 min |
Sleep
- Local pousada or guesthouse
- Check availability; basic rooms around town centre.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Com licençakohm lee-sah |
| Thank you | Obrigadooh-bree-gah-doo |
| How much is it? | Quanto custa?kwahn-toh koos-tah? |
| Where is the bathroom? | Onde fica o banheiro?ohn-jee fee-kah oo bahn-yay-roh? |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake, hug or cheek kiss (one in São Paulo, two in Rio); avoid: Being stiff with new acquaintances
- Gestures: Use thumbs-up freely; avoid: The OK hand sign (it is rude)
- Language: Try Portuguese; say obrigado/obrigada; avoid: Defaulting to Spanish
- Time: Expect relaxed social punctuality; avoid: Being late for tours and flights
- Beach: Bring only a towel, cash and a copy of your ID; avoid: Leaving things unattended
Scams and watch-outs
- BR-116 traffic can be heavy during holiday periods; allow extra travel time.
- The chapel may have limited opening hours; check locally.
Generally safe; watch for traffic on the highway and keep valuables out of sight in taxis.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Arroio Grande yet. Suggested stay: 0 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Capela de Nossa Senhora das Graças
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Arroio Grande, revision 5232463 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5232463
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/arroio-grande). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.