Information for Attendees

When talking about São Paulo state, an area of 247.898 km2, the superlative form is a must. It is the state with the country's largest population, largest industrial complex, highest economic production, the one that receives the largest number of immigrants and, as expected, the most cosmopolitan state in South America. São Paulo was built thanks to hardworking people coming from all over the country and the world, who kept the vocation for work statewide. The capital São Paulo city is also a tourist oasis. Business tourism alone is responsible for more than 45,000 events per year. More information about the city, history and tourist points can be found at www.saopaulo.sp.gov.br , www.visitesaopaulo.com , www.turismo.gov.br/turismo/ingles and www.braziltour.com (English and Spanish versions of these web sites are available).

The State of São Paulo is also full of beautiful beaches, two islands and a mountainous area, which include the "water" circuit of Atibaia, Serra Negra, Socorro, Lindóia, and Águas de São Pedro.

Águas de São Pedro is located 116 miles (187 km) from São Paulo city and considered by the United Nations as one of the best hydro-mineral thermal city in the Americas. The city has the second in the world and first in the Americas water in sulfur content. Águas de São Pedro attracts visitors all year around due to its pleasant weather [average temperature 26ºC (79ºF)], abundant green area and, of course, its famous medicinal waters. It is in this scenario that Grande Hotel São Pedro is located. Águas de São Pedro has a variety of restaurants, bars and options of tours for children, teenagers and adults.

For its proximity to the city of Brotas – known as the capital of adventure sports - Águas de São Pedro is also searched for those who want to practice some activities that release extra adrenaline, like rafting, rappelling, trekking and rope courses. Local travel agencies can be contacted for information about these activities.

Águas de São Pedro History

Águas de São Pedro emerged when Octávio de Moura Andrade discovered the medicinal properties from the mineral water mines of the city around 1920, when the State Governor started researches in the area for oil prospection. The researches failed in the attempt to find oil and the rigs were abandoned, but still gushing out mineral water. Later other attempts had been made to find oil in great depths, and again no oil was found. One oil rig structure still remains nowadays and it's called "Engineer Ângelo Balloni Oil Tower".

Years later, in 1934, an Italian immigrant and owner of the perforated lands, Ângelo Franzin, built a small bath house (currently known as "Youth Fountain") where he bathed himself. The water had a characteristic smell of sulphur. One year later a group of people of the roundnesses bought a lot of 100,000 m² around the bath house and built a health resort. It was twelve masonry bathtubs, in contrast with the first bath house, that was wooden. In the same year, Octávio de Moura Andrade decided to build the spa, giving the name of "Caldas de São Pedro" to it and creating with his brother, Antonio Joaquim de Moura Andrade, the company "Saint Peter Thermal and Sulphydric Waters S.A."). In four years the Technological Researches Institute of the University of São Paulo made analysis with the waters. The waters were considered good to bathe in and its medicinal properties had been confirmed.

São Paulo State Government then founded in June 19, 1940 the Hydromineral and Climatic Spa of Águas de São Pedro, recognizing the importance of the thermal waters. In the 20’s there is the oil drilling at the Querosene borough (called so because of the “Macuco” creek smell) and in other places. From some wells methane gas of high pureness came out, paraffinic, petroleum etc... Most of these wells ended up closed or clogged, although, in many of these wells mineral water was found with high concentrations of sulfur, sodium bicarbonate and sodium sulfate and São Pedro became a tourist resort.

The III International Symposium on Animal Biology of Reproduction (ISABR 2010) will be also held in Grande Hotel Águas de São Pedro, Brazil, October 22^nd-24^th, 2010. Meeting information:
http://www.cbra.org.br/portal/eventos/isabr2010/isabr2010.htm.

Official Travel Agency

PRISMA – Travel Agency (Mr. Miroslav)
Rua 03 de maio, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
Tel/Fax 55-11-5572-2697 – Email: prisma.turismo@uol.com.br

Tourism

Participants interested in pre- or pos-Conference tours in São Paulo city, São Paulo State or other locations in Brazil should contact the Official Travel Agency PRISMA before buying the international flight ticket, because sometimes it is more convenient and less expensive to buy a Brazilian domestic flight associated with the international round trip ticket.

Brazilian Air Pass: The Brazilian AirPass is an economical way to travel within the country. It is available only to foreigners and Brazilians residing abroad holding a round trip ticket to Brazil. It is offered by TAM Airlines (www.tam.com.br). The price of the AirPass varies, but considering the size of Brazil and the cost of internal Brazilian air travel (a round trip ticket from Rio to Manaus can be over US$ 500 and to Foz de Iguaçu, US$ 400), it offers excellent value for money. Currently the cost of the AirPass is approximately US$ 530 for up to 5 internal flights and is valid for 21 days after the first flight. A South American AirPass , which allows economic airline trip throughout Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and Paraguay, is also available. The cost of the South American AirPass is based on the number of miles flown. Rates may be subject to change during the year.