There's so much to do in São Francisco, but head farther afield and you'll find more sightseeing magic. Pick up a set of wheels and you can discover the greater area at your own pace. Add these fantastic drives to your to-do list:

• Campos do Jordão is around 75 miles from São Francisco. Top-rated attractions like Amantikir Park deserve to be high on your list while you're in town.
• Approximately 120 miles away, Ubatuba is also popular with travelers. Allow time to take in Itamambuca Beach while you're in town. It's one of the reasons people love visiting this city.
• Christ the Redeemer is around 160 miles from São Francisco and is one of the region's most gorgeous nature spots. Pack a picnic lunch and enjoy the fresh air.

If you don't hold a driver's license issued in Brazil, then you'll likely need to apply for an International Driving Permit (IDP) in your place of residence to be allowed to rent a car. You should also be aware that if an IDP is required, it has no validity on its own. You'll have to show your driver's license from your home country your passport and other forms of identification as well. Lastly, make sure the credit card used to book the rental vehicle matches the name on your license and passport. Some additional requirements for international car rentals are:

• Age restrictions: You need to be 25 or older in many countries to rent a car. If you're younger than that, it might still be possible to rent a car but you'll have to pay a Young Driver's Surcharge. Additional restrictions may also apply to the types of cars you can rent.
• Driving limitations: Be sure to read the rules and regulations before sliding behind the wheel. With rental cars, you usually can't cross country borders, drive on ferries or off road with a rental vehicle.