'''Corumba''' is the third largest city in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso do Sul and its main tourist destination. Located next to the border between Brazil, Paraguay and Bolivia, it is the gateway for the famous Pantanal region. It also boasts well-preserved historic buildings of European influence, and particular customs, traditions and history.
Its inhabitants are called ''corumbaenses''.
Get in
Corumba is just across the river from the Bolivian border town of Puerto Quijarro.
The Bolivian Fronteira (Border) is served by taxis on the Bolivian side. Typically a taxi from the train station to the Fronteira/Immigration costs about 5 Bs per person and takes around 5 minutes. Be prepared to share your taxi with other travellers. Bolivian Immigration is located on the border from which it is a short (100 yards) walk across the border to the Brazilian buses and taxis.
The Brazilian Fronteira is served by taxis, motos and the city bus. A taxi to the center of Corumba will cost you R$20-25. The bus runs once an hour, -at 45 minutes past the hour from the Fronteira and 15 minutes past the hour to the Fronteira. The cheapest cikets are from the cafeteria next to the bus stop. Double the price on the bus.
Brazilian Immigration is in the bus station which is approximately 5 blocks north of the center of town, you can catch the bus from the center which is destined for "El Cristo". The bus station is a large open building next to an multipurpose arena and a football field. Brazilian Immigration is only open for about 4 hours per day and it is not unusual to get your immigration stamp the following day after arriving in Corumba. For this reason, if you are travelling from Corumba to Bolivia, it is advisable to get your exit stamp the day before you travel.
There are connections by bus to Campo Grande (5 hours), Sao Paulo (20 hours) and Rio de Janeiro (25 hours).
Corumba has an airport served by TAM [http://www.tam.com.br/]. The Bolivian town Puerto Suarez also has an airport.
Get around
If your staying in the center of Corumba, everything is walkable, with the exception of "O Cristo" which is on a hill that overlooks the city. The bus for "El Cristo" will take you close to the steps which lead to the top where you can have a view of the town.
Prepaid bus tickets are freely available from people in or outside the bus stations (These people do not work for the bus companies) This is the preferred method of buying tickets for the bus. Typically these are a gold colored plastic coins but more recently they are introducing paper tickets. These tickets can also be used in many small corner shops to buy goods just as you would use money. It is advisable to check what their exchange rate is first.
If you need to get out of the center then a common method of transport is the moto taxi. You need to know where you want to go and can go a modest distance for R$1-2.
From the main coach station there are regular buses daily to Campo Grande and Sao Paulo; these are served mainly by Andorinha [http://www.andorinha.com/].
See
A number of day tours and multi-day tours to the Pantanal can be booked. The easiest way to find these are to ask in a number of hotels, and it is advisable to shop around before making a confirmed decision.
Do
There are a number of community swimming pools which are often clean with changing areas open at the weekends. Entry is quite cheap.
Buy
You can buy some local crafts (''artesanato''). Being close to the Bolivian border, there is a duty-free zone imports and Bolivian crafts too.
Handicrafts
'''Sculptor's House''' (''Casa do Escultora'') - In the Izulina Arts Xavier building, there is a selection of handicrafts made from rock and concrete, ceramics and wooden items. It is open from 8 to the 5 pm during the week.
'''Craftsman's House''' (''Casa do Artesao'') - In the building that until 70 years ago functioned as the public jail, you can buy handicrafts in leather, wood and ceramics made by craftsmens of the region, native handicrafts. You can also find delicious homemade liqueurs. There is no record of the construction of the building, only of its first restoration (1893). The house was established in 1975 and the cells were transformed into market stalls.
'''Adobe House''' (Casa do Massa Barro) - Created to stimulate ceramic arts. Its artists are adolescents who model the Pantanal flora and fauna in clay.
Mall
''' Pantanal Gallery '''
Eat
Food in Corumba is inexpensive. There are several pizza and barbecue restautants around town.
'''Espeto de Ouro ''', Av. Barao do Rio Branco, 121, '' 67 '' 3231-1323. Churrascaria.
'''Laco de Ouro''', Rua Frei Mariano, 708, '' 67 '' 3231 - 7371. Churrascaria.
'''Rodeio''', Rua 13 de Junho, 760, '' 67 '' 3231-6477. Churrascaria.
'''Paladar''' Pizzaria and Restaurant, R. Anonio Ma Coelho, 455, '' 67 '' 3231 4581.
'''Peixaria Bom Peixe ''', Rua 15 de Novembro, 164, '' 67 ' 3232-1490. Fish market and restaurant.
'''Peixaria do Lulu ''', Rua Dom Aquino, '' 67 '' 3231-4936. Fish market and restaurant.
'''Restaurante, Churrascaria e Pizzaria do Gaucho ''', Rua Frei Mariano, 879 - Center, '' 67 '' 3231-5220/3629.
'''Ceara''', Rua Albuquerque, 516, '' 67 '' 3231-1930. Fish market and restaurant.
'''Migueis''', Rua Tiradentes, 775, '' 67 '' 3231-4798. Fish market and restaurant.
'''Antonellos''', R. Frei Mariano, 837, '' 67 '' 3231-0010, [http://www.corumba.com.br/antonellos]. Fish market and restaurant.
'''Restaurante Flutuante Caicara ''', M. Cavassa, '' 67 '' 3231-3126. Floating restaurant on the river.
'''Sao Paulo Restaurant''', Ed Rocha, 1118, '' 67 '' 3231-4095
'''Trivial''', Rua 15 de Novembro, 188, '' 67 '' 3231-6758
Drink
The night can start in the Marechal Rondon Ave, filled with bars, beer places and restaurants. Don't miss a stop at the ''mirantes'' to see the moon reflected on the waters of the Paraguay River.
Bars and beer places
'''Bar Tuiuiu ''', Rua D Correa Aquino, 2060, Center.
'''Lousa Bar ''', Alta Santa Luzia, 56.
'''Multicoffe Express Coffee ''', R. Delamare, 1190, '' 67 '' 3231-7966.
'''Pedro's Choperia and Espeteria ''', Rua Columbus, 1826, Center.
'''Skinao Snacks ''', Rua Frei Mariano, 407, '' 67 '' 3231-5552.
'''Scorpios Ice Cream Parlor ''', R. Cuiaba, 983, '' 67 '' 3231-4532.
'''Titio_Ls Snacks ''', Rua 15 de Novembro, 907, '' 67 '' 3231-4930.
Clubs
'''Boate Refugio''', Rua Campo Grande, 2146, Nossa Senhora de Fatima.
'''Excalibur'''
'''Studio 1054''', General Av. Rondon, 1,054, '' 67 '' 3231-6056
'''Wisqueria Pantanal''', R. 7 of September, 492, '' 67 '' 231 3822
Sleep
Boat-hotels
'''Albatroz''', ''67'' 3231-4851; Fax ''67'' 3231-5888
'''Celebridade''', Rua Domingos Saib, No 843 Cervejaria, ''67'' 3231-9060
'''Eldorado Pantaneiro''', ''67'' 3231-6369
'''Juruana''', ''67'' 3231-8522
'''Kalypso''', ''67'' 3231-1460
'''Kayama''', ''67'' 3232-4048
'''Netuno''', ''67'' 3231-6369
'''Paola''', ''67'' 3231-5235
'''Scorpions''', ''67'' 3231-3372
'''Sort_fs''', 0800 67-5300
'''Triton''', ''67'' 3231-2179
'''Tuiuiu''', ''67'' 3231-2052
'''Yatch Millennium''', ''67'' 3231-3372/3470
Hotels and inns
'''Hotel Beira Rio''', Rua Manoel Cavassa, 109, ''67'' 3231-2554.
'''Hotel City''', Rua Cabral, 1031, ''67'' 3231-6373/9825.
'''Hotel Gold Fish''', Av. Rio Branco, 2799 ? saida para Ladario, 5 km., ''67'' 3231-5106.
'''Hotel Lincoln''', Rua 15 de Novembro, 205 - Centro, ''67'' 3231-4483.
'''Hotel Nossa Senhora Aparecida''', Rua Totico de Medeiros, 333, ''67'' 3231-4814.
'''International Palace Hotel''', Rua Dom Aquino Correa, 1457, ''67'' 3231-6343, hpalace@brasinet.com.br .
'''National Palace Hotel''', Rua America, 936, ''67'' 3231-6868/6202, hnacion@pantanalnet.com.br .
'''Pousada do Cachimbo''', Rua: Guapore, 44, ''067'' 3231-4833/3910.
'''Santa Monica Palace Hotel''', Rua Antonio Maria Coelho, 345, ''67'' 3231-3001/7880/3490/1701, stmonica@pantanalnet.com.br.
Get out
Most people come here to organize their trip to the Pantanal.
Others options:
Campo Grande
Bonito
Dourados