The population has an average income much higher than Brazil; an infrastructure of commerce and services was created to cater for both these local consumers and the growing number of visitors.

A complete urban infrastructure and a planned industrial park, put São José on the list of investors, executives and professionals who opt for standard and high quality of life. São José is among the 25 cities in the country with the better conditions of living, according to the UN and among 9 best to do business, according to Exame magazine. The city has an extensive green area with parks, ecological reserves and Alpine regions. About 60% of the territory of the municipality is regarded area of environmental protection.

All economic and cultural factors put San Jose as an important commercial centre of a region with nearly two million inhabitants, formed by the Vale do Paraiba, Litoral Norte, Serra da Mantiqueira and Vale Histórico.


Climate

The climate is humid and subtropical , with the dry season in winter. In the summer, the average maximum temperature is 29 °C and in the winter, the average minimum temperature is 12°C. The average annual temperature is 20 °C. The best season of the year is the spring (September - November) with average temperature of about 24ºC.


Language

The official language in Brazil is Portuguese, with different regional accents characterizing each states, Spanish and English are spoken in some areas, especially in hotels, shops, restaurants, and other tourist spots.


Time

Brazil spans several time zones: Eastern Standard time: GMT - (GMT - 2 from third Sunday in October to third Saturday in March). Third is the main zone. São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and São José dos Campos are among this time zone. -North East States and East Pará time: GMT - 3. -Western Standard time: GMT - 4 (GMT - 3 from third Sunday in October to third Saturday in March). -Amapa and West Pará Time: GMT - 4. -Acre State: GMT - 5. -Fernando de Noronha Archipelago: GMT - 2.


Currency

The Brazilian currency is the "Real" and is divided in "100 centavos". The official rate of exchange is published daily in the main Brazilian newspaper. Foreign currencies or travelers checks can be exchanged for Reais at Hotels, banks and tourism agencies. Credit Cards All major credit Cards are accepted everywhere, but in some places such as small markets, videos stores, small places where you usually do not spend much, it is only accepted cash or check.


Holidays

Business holidays include New Year's Day (1 January), Carnival (February or March; dates vary), Easter and Good Friday (March or April; dates vary), Tiradentes Day (21 April), Labor Day (1 may), Corpus Christi (June; dates varies), independence Day (7 September), Our lady Aparecida Day (12 October), All Soul's Day (2 November), proclamation of the Republic Day (15 November), and Christmas Day (25 December).


Religion

Brazil is officially a Catholic country. Over 90% of Brazilians are Roman Catholics and 5% of the population is Protestant. Indian animism was the original spiritual practice in Brazil. It greatly declined when the Catholic Portuguese settlers colonized Brazil, but some still remains. Slaves from Africa that were brought to Brazil had their own religions. The Catholics banned these religions. Some Afro-Brazilian cults evolved during that time, but they are of no resemblance to those of the mainstream religions in Brazil.


How to get there.