The picturesque Alliança Fazenda, established in 1863 by the Baron of Rio Bonito, was renowned for its premium coffee. With its historic architecture, red-tiled roof, and stone walls framed by towering imperial palms, the fazenda now thrives as a sustainable, organic eco-farm. Visitors can enjoy top-tier gastronomy and stay in the on-site lodge while touring the coffee production process, culminating in a tasting of their specially roasted beans.
Fazenda União, dating back to 1836 and originally owned by the Viscount of Ouro Preto, has transformed from a coffee plantation into a charming inn that seems straight out of a storybook. The property features a Mediterranean-style heated pool with a bar, serene lakes for strolling or swan boat rides, saunas, a mini-golf course, tennis and volleyball courts, horseback and quad riding, trails, and a quaint farm for children. The enchanting gardens are dotted with historical artifacts, including ox carts, carriage carts, and a 1929 Ford Model T. Inside, the main house is adorned with original 19th-century furniture, and guest rooms are inspired by African tribes, paying homage to the area's past as a slave society. The fazenda also includes a small replica of a slave’s quarters, complete with artifacts such as cribs, pestles, and sobering reminders of the past like branding irons and shackles.
Fazenda do Paraíso, built between 1845 and 1853, is one of the most stunning estates in the region, with its dramatic architecture and grand imperial palm-lined entrance. Owned by the same family for over a century, the fazenda offers guided tours showcasing its authentic period furniture, a lovely chapel, and a fascinating insight into historical coffee production, featuring original machinery from the post-abolition era. The tour concludes with a taste of freshly brewed Brazilian coffee, grown on-site.
Taquara Fazenda, established in the 1830s by a Portuguese commander, remains one of the few fazendas still actively producing coffee. The estate’s name, given by the enslaved people who worked there, reflects the abundance of fine bamboo on the property. The unique building, constructed around internal gardens, retains its original antique furniture and artwork. Visitors can explore the property on a guided tour, witnessing the entire coffee production process before enjoying a cup of freshly brewed coffee.
Santa Eufrásia Fazenda, built around 1830 by another Portuguese commander, is the only fazenda in the region protected by the state. This historic estate, one of the most significant in the area, is under government protection and houses an authentic collection of around 680 pieces, including three antique carriages in the gardens. With one of the oldest coffee farms in Rio de Janeiro state, the fazenda remains an active plantation. Visitors can take part in the coffee bean assembly process on a guided tour that also explores the gardens, where they will discover the old mill's dam and water wheel.
