In an area of the interior of the state of São Paulo, a small municipality with about 12 thousand residents, Ibirá, attracts many visitors. Located between São José do Rio Preto and Catanduva, 425 kilometers from the state capital, Ibirá is known for its waters, which are allegedly medicinal.
These waters are available in the district of Termas de Ibirá, located approximately 7 kilometers from the city center. Access is facilitated by the Parque do Balneário Termas de Ibirá, where visitors can hire various additional services, such as immersion baths, saunas, Scottish showers, acupuncture, and skin cleansing.
In addition to infrastructure that includes kiosks and pools, the main attraction of the location is access to the thermal waters. What distinguishes the waters of Ibirá is their high concentration of vanadium, a natural antioxidant that has healing, anti-allergic, and relaxing effects. Aesthetic, physiotherapy, massage therapy, and acupuncture treatments use baths or, in some cases, the ingestion of these vanadium waters.
In the classification of thermal waters, the composition of Termas de Ibirá is considered unique in Brazil, presenting exclusive characteristics besides the presence of vanadium. The water is alkaline, with a pH close to 10, and does not contain carbon dioxide, whether free or combined. Due to the small amount of hydrogen sulfide ion, these waters have the capacity to dissolve fat from human body exudation, acting as a cleansing agent.
The park houses a total of five sources classified as mineral-medicinal. The Ademar de Barros Source is supposedly useful in eliminating toxins and diluting kidney stones. The Carlos Gomes Source holds the highest concentration of vanadium in the park and, according to claims, helps prevent high cholesterol and triglycerides, acting as a cellular antioxidant and improving skin health. The Jorrante Source functions to inhibit uric acid formation. The Saracura Source has a high sulfur content, requiring caution in consumption, but it can help in collagen production and insulin regulation. Finally, the Seixas Source has the highest fluoride concentration and the lowest sodium content, being beneficial for bone health and nerve cell balance, helping to relieve muscle pain, rheumatism, and arthritis.
It is important to note that although there is tradition in using these waters for various conditions, their benefits refer only to symptom relief, not to treating the root cause. Bathing in or consuming the waters from the springs does not replace medical monitoring for any condition.
The Parque do Balneário de Termas do Ibirá centralizes most of the region's points of interest, offering leisure, well-being, culture, and social spaces. The natural attributes go beyond the vanadium waters, including lakes, woods, and a walking track. The green areas promote moments of tranquility and connection with nature.
For families, it is possible to rent the kiosks and use the pools, which offer good infrastructure. The kiosks are equipped with barbecue grills, sinks, and electricity. The pools, suitable for all ages, are heated and have adapted rails for wheelchair users, both adult and children's.
The great highlight of the park is the vanadium water sources and the Balneário Evaristo Mendes de Seixas, a structure dedicated to baths and saunas, which has separate thermal areas for men and women.
Information on operating hours and park services, as well as the costs of kiosks and pools, can be found on the Ibirá City Hall website. To reach the Parque do Balneário de Termas de Ibirá, it is recommended to use a car, starting from Ibirá or São José do Rio Preto. The park is located on Avenida Dr. Hugo Beolchi Júnior, in the district of Termas de Ibirá. The route is simple, following signaled vicinal highways to the District of Termas de Ibirá, and parking is available on site upon payment of a fee of R$ 5.00.