'''Goiania''', the capital of Goias, is a mid-sized city in central Brazil.

Understand

One of several major planned cities, Goiania was founded in 1933. The city plan is generally radial, with Avenida Goias running north-south and intersecting Aveinida Anhanguera at the center. It was planned for about 50,000 inhabitants, but as of 2005 it has over 1 million.

Get in

By air

Good air service. Non-Stop flights from Sao Paulo - 1 hour 20 minutes flight time. From Goiania, there are numerous flights per day to other cities in Brazil, either through Sao Paulo or Brasilia.

By bus

Goiania has a very good bus station at '''Praca do Trabalhador''', ''(worker's square)'', which connects it to any other place in Brazil. So, taking a bus to or from Goiania will not be a big problem. If you visit Brasilia, which is 3 hours away by bus (R$35 - conventional bus [approximetely 20 US dollars]) it's even easier to visit. The bus station is on the northern side, about 1km from the central district. The bus terminal shares its location with a major shopping mall.

Get around

For International Visitors, taxis are you best option. Fares run around R$20.00 (US$10.00) or less for most rides within the central area of the city

See

During the day, there really isn't much to be seen in Goiania... it's most like the urban center of a young region. There are a couple of parks you can visit, shoppings and commercial streets.

At the night scenery, you'll find many bars, pubs and night clubs filled with young people. Each of these is attended by very well defined social classes. At the '''Praca Universitaria''' ''(universities square)'' you can find an environment less dedicated to any social class.

Do

Parks

  • '''Bosque dos Buritis''', west of the city center. The city's main public park, with a small art museum on the grounds.
  • '''Parque Mutirama''', northeast from the center at the end of Avenida Araguaia. Larger than Buritis, with walking trails and hilly terrain.
  • '''Parque Vaca Brava''', at the rich region of ''"Setor Bueno"'', this park is in front of ''Goiania Shopping'' and offers a jogging track around a small lake. From 5PM to 8PM it's quite full of people making daily exercises.
  • '''Parque Areiao'''
  • '''Horto-Florestal de Goiania (Jardim Zoologico - Zoo)'''
  • Buy

  • '''Feira Hippie''' (''Hippie Fair'') (open-air market) on weekends; Saturdays on Av. Goias and Sundays by the bus station. At '''rua 3''' and '''rua 4''' you can find lots of used books, CDs or LPs stores (called ''Sebos''). It's not as big as the Sao Paulo's ''sebos'', but usually, it's possible to find quite rare peaces at a very good price.
  • Shopping centers

  • '''Shopping Flamboyant''' The biggest and most famous shopping in Goiania. It has commercial cinemas and a wide range of stores. Av. Jamel Cecilio, no 3.300 - Jardim Goias - Goiania - GO - CEP 74810-907 Phone: +55 (62) 3546-2000 [www.flamboyant.com.br]
  • '''Goiania Shopping''' An shopping with style in Goiania. Av. T-10, no 1.300 - Setor Bueno - Goiania - GO - CEP 74223-060 +55 (62) 3237-0500 [www.goianiashop.com.br]
  • '''Araguaia Shopping''' 44 Street, no 399 - Setor Central - Goiania - GO - CEP 74063-010. +55 (62) 3243-4400 [www.araguaiashopping.com.br] - Located in main bus station complex.
  • '''Buriti Shopping''' A popular shopping mall in Goiania. It's located quite far from the old and new center. Av. Rio Verde, Qd. 102/104 - Vila Sao Tomaz - Aparecida de Goiania - GO - CEP 74916-260. +55 (62) 3239-0707 [www.buritishopping.com.br]
  • '''Buena Vista Shopping''' The newest shopping in Goiania. Av. T-4 and T-61, no 466 - Setor Bueno - Goiania - GO - CEP 74230-030, +55 (62) 3515-0500 [www.buenavistashopping.com.br]
  • Eat

    Drink

    Bars

  • '''Cachacaria Agua Doce''', Av, T-1. Offers all kind of ''cachacas'' (Brazilian drink made form sugar cane) with prices between R$2.50 and R$7.00.
  • '''Cerrado''', Av. T-4 and Av. T-11. Regular and well attended bar of the mid and high social classes. It's beer is about R$3.00. It's definitely a good place for meeting people.
  • Night Clubs

  • '''It's''', Av. 136, near Rua 90. Cover charge: R$25.00 (for men) / R$15 (for women)... You can easily get a courtesy so you can consume the amount you paid for entering. This is a nice club, with expensive beer, pop electronic music. There are some nights with open bar, so you better check out all the week line-up and choose the best day.
  • '''Cafe Cancun''', Shopping Flamboyant, 3o piso. Cover charge: R$25.00 (for men) / R$15.00 (for women)... You can easily get a courtesy so you can consume the amount you paid for entering. Nice club, with expensive beer, pop electronic music.
  • '''Cafe Cancun''', Buena Vista Shopping. Cover charge: R$25.00 (for men) / R$15.00 (for women). Very different rhythms, beer about R$3.00. It's hard to get in after 12AM because it usually gets very crowded.
  • Pubs

  • '''Bolshoi''', Av. T-2, in front of '''Caterete'''. Average cover charge: R$5.00. Nice atmosphere, good pop music or at least good shows playing on the big screen.
  • Sleep

    Full range of options - from Backpacker to Business Executive.

  • Hotel Principe. v. Anhangura 2936. ight off Araguaia. 55 62 3224 0085. ingle R$ 18-30.

  • '''Hotel Paissandu''', Av. Goias 1290. Basic and inexpensive, with a decent ''por kilo'' restaurant next door.
  • '''Castro's Park Hotel''', Av. Republica do Libano. The best hotel in the city, 5 stars rated. If you aren't a budget traveller, you'll enjoy a lot this hotel.
  • '''Hotel Rio Vermelho''', Rua 4 n.26 Centro. Simple, clean and central in the city downtown. Good prices with parking, wireless internet and a simple breakfast included. Phone: +55 62 3227 2500 - www.hotelriovermelho.com.br - reservas@hotelriovermelho.com.br.
  • Get out