A small village about 35 km from Nova Friburgo in the valley of the Rio São João, Lumiar has become the adventure sports capital of Rio de Janeiro state. White-water rafting on the São João is the main attraction: the river runs through a narrow gorge with rapids graded for beginners through to experienced paddlers, and several operators in the village offer half-day and full-day trips with equipment and guides included.
Beyond the river, Lumiar is surrounded by Atlantic Forest with waterfalls, swimming holes, and hiking trails leading to nearby formations including the Jardim do Nêgo. The village itself is small but has guesthouses, pousadas, and restaurants catering to the adventure crowd. It makes a good base for two or three days of outdoor activity and can be reached by local bus from Nova Friburgo or by car on a steep, winding but paved road.