Campinas - Tourism and Recreation

Tourism and Recreation

The city does not have many tourist spots, since it is not located at the beach or the mountains, and has no remarkable old monument or construction. However it has some nice places to visit such as:

• the Bosque dos Jequitibás, an urban preserved wooded area reminiscent of the original rain forest that covered the region in the past: it has a small zoo with local fauna and a natural history museum
• the Cathedral, which was built in the 19th century; its interior is entirely made of jacaranda wood sculptures and works. It was made using a technique called "taipa de pilão" using clay and rocks – it is one of the largest buildings in the world using this construction technique;
• the Central Market, with typical stall stands full of fresh product of the region
• the old Central Railway Station, now converted to a cultural center;
• Centro de Convivência, a cultural complex of theater, an open arena for concerts and spectacles, and a plaza where Campinas Symphony Orchestra often plays to the public;
• the Castelo (Castle) Water Tower, which provides a beautiful view over the downtown;
• the Historical Railway Society of Campinas, which maintains the Anhumas station, a set of steam locomotives and full carriages and which promotes regular trips along a picturesque region dotted with old coffee farms;
• the Lagoa do Taquaral Park, a much-beloved urban lagoon and adjacent wooded park, includes: a planetarium, a science museum, an indoor sports stadium and swimming pool, kart racing and model airplane areas, an open concert auditorium, a floating caravel replica, an electric tramway (streetcar line), pedal boats, plus facilities for several types of sports, including a long track for running and walking;

Campinas' readers of the Correio Popular newspaper and the Cosmo Website have voted in July 2007 for the "Seven Wonders of Campinas".

The mountain region around Campinas has better travel and stay opportunities, such as in the spa cities of Serra Negra and Águas de Lindóia; and in Holambra, a rural region which was populated by immigrants from the Netherlands, with an annual flower festival and typical buildings and restaurants.