A century-old native forest park in central Campinas with a small zoo, aquarium and natural history museum - a green break from the city center.
Discover Authentic Campinas: A Local Travel Guide by Mercure
Every Mercure hotel is designed around its neighbourhood, a habit that goes back to 1973. Recommended by the team at Mercure Campinas. That means tips a guidebook won't give you: where locals actually eat, where the crowds thin out, what's worth the walk. Scroll on for our picks, an interactive map, and the FAQs guests ask before they arrive.
Our map pins local favourites such as the Lagoa do Taquaral zipline, Santa Genebra Forest and Estação Cultura, alongside our Mercure hotel.
Top 5 Things to Do in Campinas
Bosque dos Jequitibás
A 10-hectare native forest reserve in the middle of the city, open to the public since 1880, with a small zoo, a natural history museum and a miniature train winding through the trees.
Mercado Municipal de Campinas
Historic market halls now filled with fruit stalls, spice vendors, cheesemongers and restaurants - come hungry and graze rather than order one big meal.
Rua Treze de Maio
Campinas' traditional commercial street, a few minutes from the hotel, good for a slower walk through the city's everyday retail life rather than its postcard sights.
Centro Histórico de Campinas
Squares, churches and early-20th-century buildings trace the city's growth from a colonial coffee town to São Paulo state's tech and university hub.
Estação Cultura
Campinas' restored 19th-century railway station, now a science and culture center with a planetarium - a nod to the era when coffee and rail money built this city.
Explore Campinas's Best Local Spots with Our Interactive Map
What's on the map in Campinas
We've mapped local spots around Campinas, from forest trails to railway heritage.
Nature & family
Lagoa do Taquaral zipline
Zip over the lake in Parque Portugal: a 535-metre round trip at up to 50 km/h. Back on the ground, there's a planetarium, a science museum and an amphitheatre.
Parque Portugal · Zipline · Made for thrill seekers
Santa Genebra Forest
A nature reserve with easy trails, guided walks on some days and a butterfly house, 20 minutes' drive from central Campinas.
20 min from the centre · Forest reserve · Perfect for nature
Fazenda do Lapa
This 19th-century estate was home to Hércules Florence, inventor and pioneer of photography. Tours dig into coffee history and agroforestry.
Countryside near Campinas · Historic farm · Ideal for history and nature
Parque de Aventura
Ponies, llamas and rabbits, trail rides, a treehouse and picnic spots – plus homemade pastéis at the snack bar.
Campinas · Mini-farm · Great for families
Fazenda Floresta
Start with a colonial breakfast buffet, then go ziplining, horse riding or fishing. A full day out in the countryside.
Outskirts · Farm · Perfect for families
Vila Paraíso
A rustic restaurant in the forest outside the city, cooking with produce from local growers. Clear your afternoon.
Outskirts · Restaurant · Made for a long lunch
Barão Geraldo Culture and Art Fair
Books, crafts, paintings and a small stage, under the trees every weekend.
Barão Geraldo · Fair · Ideal for weekends
Vila das Artes
A Sunday craft market in the shade, by the Atibaia River in Sousas. Browse, then linger by the water.
Sousas · Craft market · Perfect for a Sunday
City centre
Estação Cultura
A Victorian station from the coffee boom, built with bricks imported from England. Today: model railways, fashion shows and puppet theatre in an old carriage.
City centre · Cultural centre · Made for railway history
Largo do Rosário
A tree-lined square where Campinas meets up, close to shops and restaurants. Occasional concerts – and big-screen football.
City centre · Square · Ideal for local life
Sulina Parrilla
A stylish grill 15 minutes from the centre, serving steaks with Brazilian sides.
Restaurant · Perfect for steak
Olivetto Restaurante e Enoteca
An upscale address in Cambuí with an international menu and hundreds of wines to choose from.
Cambuí · Restaurant · Great for a special dinner
Centro de Ciências, Letras e Artes
Museums devoted to President Campos Salles and composer Carlos Gomes, plus a picture gallery and recitals.
Centre · Cultural centre · Ideal for culture
Feira de Artesanato
A craft market on leafy Praça Imprensa Fluminense. Take a slow lap.
Centre · Craft market · Great for souvenirs
Folks Pub
Live country music, cocktails and cold beer in a cheerful pub.
Pub · Perfect for live music
Azahar Spa
A day spa founded by two sisters, with a hammam, massages and an immersion bath. Switch off.
Spa · Made for relaxing
FAQ
Yes - Viracopos International Airport is about 18 km away, and a Lirabus stop right by the hotel also runs to Guarulhos and Congonhas.
The city's 19th and early 20th-century wealth came largely from coffee plantations, a legacy visible in the historic center's architecture and at Estação Cultura, the restored former railway station.
Ride the zipline over the lake, then visit the planetarium and science museum in Parque Portugal.
Santa Genebra Forest, 20 minutes' drive from the centre, has easy trails and a butterfly house.
Parque de Aventura, a mini-farm with ponies, llamas and a treehouse, is ideal for children.
Where to Sleep in Campinas
This Mercure hotel appears on our map:
- Mercure Campinas