Campo Grande
South America · Brazil
Did you know?
- Sobá noodle soup reflects Japanese influence on the local table.
- Tereré is a cold mate infusion sold at Mercadão Municipal.
- Parque das Nações Indígenas attracts macaws, toucans and capybaras.
See also
Overview
Campo Grande is a gateway to the southern Pantanal and Bonito. Local sobá, museums and urban wildlife give travelers reasons to stay before heading onward.
Languages: Portuguese
Why go?
Campo Grande is the capital of Mato Grosso do Sul, serving as the main gateway to the southern Pantanal and Bonito. The city is an unlikely foodie destination with a melting pot of cultures, featuring local specialties like sobá and arroz carreteiro. It also offers museums, wildlife watching (macaws, capybaras), and a vibrant craft scene.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Getting in
By air, Campo Grande International Airport (CGR) is served by Latam, Gol, and Azul, located about 7 km from downtown. By bus, the main bus station has connections to many cities; for example, Cometa del Amambay runs a daily service to Asunción (13.5 hr, R$118).
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Getting around
Public buses are the main transport, with a flat fare of R$3.70 (May 2018). Most buses require a city transit card; you can ask other passengers to use theirs or pay cash at terminal entrances. Taxis are metered; a ride from the center to the airport costs around R$25 on weekdays, R$35 on Sundays/nights.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
When to go
The dry season from May to September offers lower humidity and better wildlife viewing, though humidity can drop below 30% causing discomfort. August and September are spectacular when ipê trees bloom. Avoid the rainy season if possible.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Where to stay
Budget options include Hostel Orla Morena (dorm bed R$30, pool and breakfast included) and Rodrigo Hostel (dorm R$30, double R$110, near bus station). For private rooms, Presidente Palace Hotel has singles for R$45 with shared bathroom, while Pousada Mato Grosso offers doubles for R$165. Higher-end choices include Bahamas Suite Hotel (duplex from R$220) and Deville Prime (from R$270).
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Food and drink
Local specialties include arroz carreteiro, chipa, and sobá (Japanese noodle soup). For street food, Pastelaria Parada Obrigatória offers pastel pantaneiro (jerked beef and banana, R$12) and alligator pastel (R$28). Feira Central on Wednesday and Saturday evenings is a must for sobá (R$15-35). Try tereré, a cold mate infusion, available at Mercadão Municipal. For drinks, Recanto da Moagem has self-serve craft beer taps, and Rota Acústica features live music.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Things to do
Visit Museu das Culturas Dom Bosco for indigenous exhibits and an insect collection, or MARCO for contemporary art. Watch macaws, toucans, and capybaras in parks like Parque das Nações Indígenas. On Mondays, attend Sarau de Segunda at Praça dos Imigrantes for open mic and jugglers. On Sundays, the Colônia Paraguaia hosts all-you-can-eat lunches with live music (R$30 entry).
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Safety
During the dry season (May-September), humidity can drop below 30%, causing headache, dry skin, and nosebleeds. Drink plenty of water, use moisturizer, and avoid strenuous activity between 10am and 4pm when humidity is below 20%. The local government issues daily weather reports.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Shopping
For local crafts, visit Casa do Artesão (M-F 8AM-5PM, Sa 8AM-2PM) featuring Kadiwéu and Bugres works. Mercadão Municipal is the best place for spices, mate leaves, and local produce. Cheap clothes and shoes are found on Rua 14 de Julho. Camelódromo offers cheap electronics and trinkets.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Go next
Maracaju (3 hr away) is known for its sausage festival in April. Bonito, with its clear-water rivers, is a popular side trip. Asunción, Paraguay, is reachable by direct bus daily at 4PM with Cometa del Amambay (13.5 hr, R$118, need ID and yellow fever vaccination). Other nearby destinations include Corumbá and Dourados.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Field guide adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0. Text has been adapted and organized for this guide. About our sources.
Places to know
A few starting points from the guide. Check current hours and prices before you go.
- sleep
Aeroporto Plaza Hotel
In front of the airport, this hotel looks better on its inside than on the outside - however, rooms have no windows so it is better suited for short stays. Breakfast included in the price.
Recorded price: R$ 160 for a double with a/c
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- sleep
Bahamas Suite Hotel
Duplex rooms: kitchen and living room on the bottom floor, bathroom, king-size bed and TV on top floor. All rooms have balcony, and top floors have great views of the city. There's a swimming pool, but it's on the ground floor among tall buildings, so it's often in shadow. Mattresses more on the hard side.
Recorded price: R$ 220 for duplex rooms
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- sleep
Deville Prime
4-star hotel of international standard, with amazing breakfast. Located a few blocks away from the Parque das Nações Indígenas, in an upscale neighborhood.
Recorded price: R$ 270 for double room with a/c
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- sleep
Hostel Orla Morena
A popular hostel, it has swimming pool, barbecue area, well-equipped kitchen, free wifi and good breakfast included in the price.
Recorded price: R$ 30 for a bed in dorm
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- sleep
Pousada Mato Grosso
This 2-storey, family-run inn has bright rooms, a nice terrace and parking space in front of the building. Breakfast included in the price.
Recorded price: R$ 165 for a double with a/c
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- sleep
Presidente Palace Hotel
Simple hotel, a bit worn-out, thin mattresses. Stay here for the price, not for comfort. Modest breakfast included in the price.
Recorded price: R$ 45 for a single room, R$ 100 for double (both with shared bathroom)
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- sleep
Rodrigo Hostel
Around the block from the bus station, this hostel has spacious rooms, good breakfast included in the price, hammocks and a swimming pool. Free parking for guests.
Recorded price: R$ 30 for a bed in dorm, R$ 110 for double room
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- eat
Cantina Romana
The best regarded Italian restaurant in town. Come if you crave some comfort food.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
Before you go
Accommodation
Dorm beds from R$30 at hostels like Orla Morena and Rodrigo Hostel.
Culture
Local drink is tereré, a cold mate infusion.
Food
Try sobá (Japanese noodle soup), arroz carreteiro, and tereré at Mercadão Municipal.
General
On Sundays, most shops and cafes are closed, streets are deserted.
Transport
Bus fare is R$3.70. Taxis are metered; center to airport ~R$25-35.
Weather
Dry season (May-Sep) can have humidity below 30%; stay hydrated.