Banhado is considered to be the main sight in São José dos Campos because of its enormous area of natural beauty right on the outskirts of the city, and its beautiful sunset.

A region immediately adjacent to the urban center of São José dos Campos, Banhado is a giant natural amphitheater that opens up after a steep incline, stretching onto a plain near an extensive plateau that reaches to the Paraíba do Sul river. It covers 4,320,000 m².

In 1939 Mayor Francisco José Longo put a preservation order on the far side of Avenida São José, protecting the view for everyone.
In 1984 Municipal Law 2792/84 declared Banhado an Environmental Protection Area, prohibiting development by companies, commerce and services, the division of the land and mining.

It is currently classified by Complementary Law 165/97 on Use, Occupation and Land Division, as a Special Environmental Protection Zone, with restrictions protecting the environment, landscape and history.