Understand the tourist phenomenon in the interior of São Paulo, explore the attractions of Thermas dos Laranjais and Hot Beach and learn how to plan the perfect itinerary
Located on the Guarani Aquifer, one of the largest freshwater reserves in the world, Olímpia went from being just an agricultural city to becoming a giant of national tourism. The nickname “Brazilian Orlando” is no coincidence: the city has developed a robust ecosystem of family entertainment, theme resorts and world-class water parks.
The combination of naturally hot thermal waters (ranging between 26°C and 38°C) with a gigantic hotel infrastructure meant that the destination received millions of visitors annually. If your goal is to understand why the city of Olímpia became the Brazilian Orlando with parks such as Thermas dos Laranjais and Hot Beach, this guide offers all the answers and a practical path for your visit.
Essential information for your trip
Before diving into the pools, it is crucial to understand the city’s logistics to optimize your time and budget.
- How to arrive: The nearest airport is São José do Rio Preto (SJP), around a 50-minute drive from Olímpia. For those leaving the capital of São Paulo by car, the journey takes approximately 5 to 6 hours via the Bandeirantes (SP-348) and Washington Luís (SP-310) highways.
- Best time to go: Olímpia is a year-round destination. In summer, the rains are more frequent, but the heat is intense. Winter is dry and mild, with warm days and cool nights, ideal for enjoying the warm waters without the scorching January sun.
- Internal displacement: Most resorts offer transfers free to the parks. If you are staying in the center, using your own car or transport apps is recommended.
Main attractions: the pillars of tourism
Olímpia’s success is due to the diversification of its attractions, which go far beyond simple swimming pools.
- Thermas dos Laranjais: It is the most visited water park in Latin America and is mainly responsible for the city’s boom. It has more than 50 attractions, from extreme water slide complexes (such as the water roller coaster) to relaxation areas and artificial beaches. It’s the equivalent of Florida’s big adventure parks.
- Hot Beach Olympia: Newer and more modern, Hot Beach offers a “premium resort” experience. It is less crowded than Thermas and focuses on families with young children and couples looking for tranquility. The highlight is the artificial beach with white sand and gentle waves, as well as an extensive lazy river.
- Dinosaur Valley: Reinforcing the entertainment theme similar to Orlando, this dry park features life-size animatronic replicas of dinosaurs. It’s a quick attraction, ideal for the end of the afternoon.
- Dreamland Wax Museum: Another attraction that emulates international tourist centers, with statues of celebrities and pop culture characters.
Suggested 4-day itinerary
To enjoy the full structure without rushing, a minimum of three to four days is recommended.
Day 1: Adrenaline at Thermas dos Laranjais
Arrive early (the park opens at 9am) to secure lounge chairs. Thermas is huge.
- Morning: Focus on extreme attractions like the “Legendary” and the “Water Rollercoaster” before the lines get longer.
- Afternoon: Relax in the wave pool (the only one in the world with waves of up to 3 meters) and in the Rio Lento.
- Tip: The park is too big for just one day if you want to go to everything, so prioritize what attracts you most on the map right at the entrance.
Day 2: Relaxation on the Hot Beach
After a busy day, Hot Beach offers the necessary rest.
- Morning: Enjoy the artificial beach with real sand and coconut trees. The structure of bars on the sand is excellent.
- Afternoon: Take the children to the children’s area, which is covered and has giant buckets and safe slides.
- Night: Dine at Vila Guarani, a nighttime entertainment space located between Hot Beach and the resorts, with live music and cuisine.
Day 3: Dry attractions and local culture
Olympia is also the National Capital of Folklore.
- Morning: Visit Dinosaur Valley. The tour lasts around 1h30.
- Afternoon: Visit the Dreamland Wax Museum and Ice Bar for an experience that contrasts with the heat of the city. If you have time, stop by the Maria Olímpia Museum of History and Folklore to understand the cultural roots of the city.
- Night: Explore the gastronomy of the city center, on Avenida Aurora Forti Neves, the main gastronomic street.
Day 4: Repeat or resort
Use the last day to visit your favorite park or enjoy the facilities at your hotel.
- Morning: Many hotels in Olímpia are true leisure complexes with their own thermal pools. Enjoy the check-out late if available.
- Afternoon: Shop for souvenirs and homemade sweets at the downtown stores before hitting the road.
Practical tips and planning
To make the experience fluid and economical, pay attention to these details:
- Tickets: Buy in advance online or through local agencies and hotel receptions. Ticket prices are always higher. Guests at Hot Beach group resorts have free access to the park of the same name.
- Accommodation:
- Resorts: Wyndham, Enjoy and Hot Beach Suites offer a complete “Orlando” style experience, with large rooms and kitchenettes.
- Inns: To save money, inns in the city center are clean, comfortable and much cheaper, although they require transportation to the parks.
- Food: Inside the parks, food is charged using prepaid consumption cards (bracelets). To save money, have a hearty breakfast and light snacks, leaving dinner outside the parks, where the variety and price are better.
- Shoes: Take water shoes (neoprene ones). The ground in the parks gets very hot in the sun in the interior of São Paulo and walking barefoot can be uncomfortable.
Olímpia has established itself as the “Brazilian Orlando” not only for its warm waters, but for its ability to create a vacation universe where the whole family can have fun. With advance planning of tickets and the right choice of accommodation, your trip will be an immersion in first-world infrastructure with the warm hospitality of the interior of São Paulo.
