'''Teresina''' is the capital of the State of Piaui, Brazil. It is a hot, sleepy, unpretentious town. It is known as one of the hottest cities of Brazil, and is also an important center for hospitals and other health-related institutions.
Formerly called Nova Vila do Poti, Teresina replaced Oeiras as capital of Piaui in 1852. The city was named after the Brazilian Emperor's wife.
Get in
By Air
Aeroporto de Teresina/Senador Petronio Portella
Teresina ? PI
Tel.: (86) 225-2536
By Road
576 km from Fortaleza
The bus station (tel 3218 1514) is about 8 km southeast of the centre, -taxi R$ 15.
To Piripiri by ''Guanabara''[http://www.expressoguanabara.com.br], 5 daily, 3 hours, R$ 26.
To Parnaiba and Luis Correa by ''Guanabara''[http://www.expressoguanabara.com.br], 5 daily, 6 hours, R$ 45.
Get around
See
Parque Potycabana. Potycabana Park is Teresina_fs water wonder-world, situated in front of Teresina Shopping. Closed for renovation (March 2009)
Mercado Troca-Troca ("barter"). This a place to exchange your kitchen sink for an old bicycle rather than buy a memento of Brazil. The market started under the vast fig tree that now stands behind the permanent roofing, on the banks of the River Parnaiba. It is fun for those who like a good rummage; the more refined may wish to give it a miss.
Catedral de Nossa Senhora do Amparo
Museu Historico do Piaui. This state museum is divided into a series of exhibition rooms devoted to the history of the state; religious art; popular art; archaeology; fauna, flora and minerals; and an eclectic assortment of antique radios, projectors and other ancient wonders. Hidden in the corner of one room is a pathetic cabinet containing a flag, kerchief and some scribbled notes from comunistas, a flexible term used here to describe a group of independent thinkers, who were wiped out by the government in 1937. Admission is free, and the museum is open Tuesday to Friday from 8 to 11AM and 3 to 6PM, and on Saturday and Sunday from 8AM to noon.
Palacio de Karnak. This Greco-Roman structure once functioned as the governor's residence and contained valuable works of art and antiques. In the late '80s, the outgoing governor made a quick exit, together with many of the valuable contents.
Parque Zoobotanico do Piaui, Rodovia PI 112, KM 5, Tel.: (86) 232-4093, Fax: (86) 222-1415. The botanical park is on the road going north from Teresina towards Uniao. The zoo part of the park is fifty years behind the West with bored unhappy animals (including a blind lion) in cages and insects on pins. Happily the armadillos (tatu) are not in cages and are free to wander around the park with the visitors. Don_ft swim in the lake ? it is full of caimans (jacare). The main attraction of the park is the collection of local flora.
Do
February - Carnival.
June-November. River Beaches. The rivers levels fall between June and November exposing large sand banks known as the _gcrowns of the rivers_h. These are turned into popular river _gbeaches_h complete with life-guards and vendors selling fried fish straight out of the rivers.
June 29 - Procissao de Sao Pedro. A penitential procession of boats on the river Parnaiba.
July - Teresina hosts the three-day Micarana festival, attracting top artists and visitors from all over Brazil - and no foreigners.
November - Salao Internacional de Humor. The city is given over to cartoons and charicatures, attracting participants from Brazil and abroad.
The Albertao Stadium (aka Estadio Governador Alberto Tavares Silva) is the place to watch local football/soccer matches. The stadium has capacity for 60,000 people.
Both shopping malls, -right across the bridge from Avenida Frei Serafim, have '''cinemas'''. Special offers on weekdays before 6 PM.
Buy
Centro Artesanal. This is an outlet for artisan products from all over the state. Items on sale include: leather articles; furniture; lacework; hammocks; opals and soapstone (from Pedro II); and liqueurs and confectionery made from genipapo, caju and maracuja.
Eat
'''Celso's'''. Piauiese specialities. Rua Angelica 1059, Fatima
'''Panela de Barro''', Av. Pedro Freitas 1965
'''Camarao do Elias'''. Seafood, especially crabs. Av. Pedro Almeida 457
'''O Pesqueirinho'''. Rua Domingos Jorge Velho 6889 (by the river)
Drink
'''Cajuina''' is a sweet soft drink made from the cashew fruit, which link with Teresina was immortalized in the Caetano Veloso song "Cajuina"
The local '''cachaca''' brand is ''Mangueira''.
Most nighlife is in the vicinity of ''Shopping Riverside''. A few clubs along ''Avenida Nossa Senhora da Fatima''
Pirilanches. ua das Tulipas, Fatima. arge beer R$ 3,40, cover charge R$ 3. Live music in weekends
Sleep
Budget
A few cheapies in front of the bus station, although this location is inconvenient if you don_Lt have your own car.
The area between the centre and the hospital zone, south and east of ''Avendida Frei Serafim'', is dotted with cheap ''pensoes'', although many of these seem more like hospital waiting rooms.
Mid-Range
Hotel Itapoa. ua Olavo Bilac 2222, Centro. our blocks from Banco do Brasil at Frei Serafim. 55 86 3222 7017. ttp://www.hotelitapoa.com. ingle R$ 50, Double 80, Triple 110, Quadr 130.
Ibis. ua Primeiro de Maio, Centro. 55 86 2106 2000. ttp://www.accorhotels.com. ingle/Double R$ 75, breakfast R$ 8.
'''Hotel Sao Jose''', Rua Joao Cabral, 340 - Sul, CEP: 64000-030, Tel: +55 86 3226 1166
'''Rio Poty Hotel''', Av. Mal. Castelo Branco, 555 - Bairro Ilhotas, CEP: 64001-810, Tel: +55 86 3223 1500
'''Royal Palace Hotel''', Rua 13 De Maio, 233 - Centro, CEP: 64000-150, Tel:/Fax: +55 86 3221 7707.
Splurge
'''Lord Hotel''', Av. Getulio Vargas, 2021 - Bairro Redencao,
Tel: (86) 2106-5500, Within walking distance of the bus station.
Cope
<listing name="Wash-Tec" alt="" directions="Near the railway" address="Rua Olavo Bilac 2406, Ilhotas" phone="+55 86 3222 8736" email="" fax="" url="" hours="Closes at 12 on Saturdays" price="Wash and dry large load R$ 25">Next day service</listing>
There are a few '''internet''' spots in the center at R$ 1-2/hour, but they all close Evenings, Saturday afternoons and Sundays. Head for more expensive places at the shopping malls.
Get out
'''O Encontro das Aguas'''. The river Poti flows into the river Parnaiba on its way to the Atlantic, 8 km north of the center. In the dry season their colour difference is very distinct, and they continue flowing side by side, even when merged into one body. There is a floating restaurant, a monument over local fishermen_Ls legend and boat trips are offered for R$ 3. The meeting is easily accessible from the city at Av. Boa Esperanca.