During the coffee boom of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Mococa grew into one of the wealthiest towns in the São Paulo countryside.

The arrival of the Companhia Mogiana railway in the 1890s helped drive that prosperity, making it easier to transport coffee to the port of Santos. But the 1929 Wall Street Crash brought the coffee boom to an abrupt end. Mococa, however, later found a new path to prosperity in the dairy industry.

Indústria Mococa’s history is part of Mococa’s own story. Founded in 1919, the company began by making handmade butter and went on to become one of Brazil’s largest dairy producers. Its instantly recognizable packaging, a familiar sight in markets across the country, has become part of the town’s identity.

Over its 170-year history, Mococa has retained much of its architectural heritage, offering a wealth of possibilities for filmmakers. Its stately old mansions, townhouses, and centuries-old farmhouses are among the landmarks that distinguish the town and the surrounding region.

Mococa’s tropical climate and dry winters make outdoor filming easier to schedule, with less chance of rain causing delays. Clear skies for much of the year also provide plenty of natural light, bringing out the colors of the landscape.

The historic center offers a rich mix of neoclassical and Renaissance architecture. The mansions and townhouses surrounding Praça Marechal Deodoro square, most of which were designed by Italian architect Gherardo Bozzani, date from 1893 to 1930. A particular highlight is the recently restored mansion at 153, Rua Marechal Deodoro street, where original wall paintings and ornate period furniture bring the historic interiors to life.

Cine Mococa, which opened in 1959, is one of the town’s most distinctive buildings. A classic example of the street cinemas that once flourished across the São Paulo countryside, it combines modernist architecture with one of the largest cinema screens in Latin America. Inside, colorful details painted by local artist Carlos Alberto Paladini brighten the space, while the ceiling features a design based on the Southern Cross constellation.

Fazenda Mutuca has a long history in Mococa, dating back to the 19th-century coffee boom. Its grand old houses retain the neocolonial features, while the grounds hold a striking surprise: an impressive cactus garden beside a lake, its dry, desert-like landscape unlike anything else in São Paulo State.

Established in 1917, the Cemitério Municipal de Mococa is an open-air museum in its own right. Its Romantic architecture, sculpted monuments, ornate mausoleums, and decorative stonework bear the imprint of traditions brought to Brazil by Italian immigrants, lending the cemetery a singular atmosphere.

Mococa is well equipped to accommodate film crews, with around fifty restaurants, two hundred hotel beds, and Viracopos International Airport just under 200 km away.

From period dramas and horror films to documentaries, Mococa offers a wealth of possibilities. Its historic buildings and distinctive settings provide a rich backdrop for productions of all kinds.

Nearest international airport: Viracopos (VCP)

Distance to nearest airport: 193 km

Distance to São Paulo: 265 km

Distance to GRU Airport: 287 km