Things To Do
in Pelotas
Pelotas is a historic city in southern Brazil's Rio Grande do Sul state, known for its well-preserved 19th- and early-20th-century architecture and a strong culinary tradition centered on sweets. The city developed wealth from the charque (dried beef) industry and retains grand public buildings, churches and theaters in a compact downtown that invites walking. Pelotas sits near Lagoa dos Patos and nearby coastal marshes, offering easy access to lagoons, dunes and birdlife outside the urban core.
Friendly, provincial and culturally rich, Pelotas blends gaucho traditions with Portuguese-influenced confectionery culture and lively local festivals.
Day Trips
Spend a day exploring around
Start your day with a delightful breakfast at a local café, sampling traditional Brazilian pastries like 'cuca' and fresh coffee. Afterward, stroll through the picturesque streets of Pelotas' historic center, admiring the beautiful colonial architecture and vibrant façades. Don't miss the iconic Mercado Público, a bustling market where you can soak in the local atmosphere.
Continue your exploration by visiting the historic Theatro Guarani, a stunning opera house that offers guided tours. Next, take a leisurely walk in Praça Coronel Pedro Osório, where you can relax among the lush gardens and watch local life unfold. For lunch, enjoy a traditional meal at a nearby restaurant, trying local specialties like 'arroz de carreteiro'.
As the sun sets, head to the nearby riverside promenade for a peaceful stroll along the banks of the Canal São Gonçalo. Enjoy dinner at a local steakhouse, where you can savor the renowned Brazilian barbecue while engaging with friendly locals. Conclude your day by experiencing the vibrant nightlife at a nearby bar or enjoying live music in one of the town squares.
Begin your day with breakfast at a charming café before heading to the Museu Histórico de Pelotas, where you can delve into the city's rich history. Explore the museum's exhibits showcasing artifacts and photographs that tell the story of Pelotas' past. Spend some time in the nearby Museu da Doçaria, dedicated to the region's famous sweets and confections.
After lunch at a traditional restaurant, visit the Centro de Artes, where local artists showcase their work in various mediums. Engage with the artists and perhaps even purchase a unique piece to take home as a souvenir. Spend the latter part of the afternoon wandering through the quaint streets lined with art galleries and craft shops.
As night falls, dine at a local restaurant known for its seafood dishes, where you can enjoy freshly caught fish prepared with regional flavors. After dinner, head to a cultural event or performance showcasing local music, dance, or theater. This is a perfect opportunity to connect with the community and experience the vibrant culture of Pelotas.
Prices
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| 🍔Meal at inexpensive restaurant | $8-12 |
| ☕Coffee (cafezinho) or pastry | $1-3 |
| 🍺Domestic beer (bar) | $2-4 |
| 🚕Short taxi ride (within city) | $2-6 |
| 🏨Budget hotel / guesthouse (per night) | $25-60 |
Strengths and Weaknesses
- Rich historic architecture and cultural heritage in a compact, walkable center.
- Strong and unique confectionery (doces) tradition — a must for food lovers.
- Easy access to lagoon and coastal nature for birding and scenic outings.
- Limited international flight connections — longer ground travel to major airports.
- Services and information in English may be limited outside tourist spots.
- Weather can be rainy and humid in certain seasons, which may affect outdoor plans.
- "Olá / Oi" - Hello / Hi
- "Por favor" - Please
- "Obrigado (masculine) / Obrigada (feminine)" - Thank you
- "Quanto custa?" - How much does it cost?
- "Onde fica o banheiro?" - Where is the bathroom?
- "Você fala inglês?" - Do you speak English?
- "Sou vegetariano(a)" - I'm vegetarian
Places to Visit in Pelotas
Visit one of these nice places.
Elegant façades, ornate public buildings and cobbled streets create classic urban compositions, especially in soft morning light.
Impressive church architecture and interior details that shine in late-afternoon light; good for both exterior and interior shots.
Historic theater frontage and the surrounding square offer atmospheric street and architectural photography, especially during events.
Colorful stalls, local vendors and food displays provide lively market scenes and candid portraits.
Wide lagoon vistas, dunes and fishing boats; golden hour here is excellent for landscape and bird photos.
Ranch buildings and rural landscapes that recall the charque era — great for historical-context photos and rustic compositions.
Food in Pelotas
Pelotas Famous Food
Signature dishes, delicacies and famous food
A wide range of traditional preserves, compotes and petit-fours often sold in specialty shops and pastry houses across the center; try doce de cidra, fig compote and brigadeiro variations.
Must-Try!
Gaucho-style barbecue featuring beef cuts and sausages; common in local restaurants and a staple at weekend family meals.
Freshwater and estuarine fish prepared grilled or stewed in coastal villages around Lagoa dos Patos — look for local restaurants near the shore.
Food Markets
Explore local food markets
Central market with stalls selling fresh produce, regional cheeses, sweets, snacks and occasional street-food vendors — a good place to sample local flavors and buy take-home doces.
Small stalls and carts offering savory snacks (pastéis, salgados), coffee and quick bites — perfect for a midday snack while exploring.
Weather
How to Behave
Tips on cultural norms and respectful behavior
A warm handshake, or a single cheek kiss among acquaintances, is common; polite greetings and a friendly demeanor go a long way.
Gaucho culture and family traditions are important — showing respect for older people and local customs is appreciated.
Casual dress is acceptable for daytime; slightly smarter attire is common for evenings out. Public displays of loud or disrespectful behavior are frowned upon.
Portuguese is the local language; basic Portuguese phrases are useful, and people appreciate any attempt to speak the language even if they understand some Spanish or English.
Safety
Tipping in Pelotas
Ensure a smooth experience
Restaurants often add a 10% service charge; if not included, a 5–10% tip is appreciated but not mandatory. Tipping taxi drivers, porters and hotel staff is discretionary; small cash tips for good service are common.
Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in shops, restaurants and hotels; carry some cash (Brazilian reais) for small vendors, markets and tips. Mobile payments and contactless cards are increasingly common in urban areas.
Best Time to Visit
And what to expect in different seasons...
Warm to hot temperatures (December–February) with higher humidity and occasional heavy showers; ideal for visiting the lagoon and local beaches but expect more locals and tourists on weekends.
Mild, pleasant weather (March–May) with cooling temperatures and clearer skies — a good season for walking tours, photography and outdoor excursions.
Cooler and wetter (June–August), sometimes chilly at night; cultural events and indoor attractions are good options, and the city is quieter for off-season travel.
Warming temperatures with blooming parks (September–November); comfortable for both city exploration and nature outings, though occasional rain occurs.
Pelotas at Night
Hiking in Pelotas
Immerse in an unforgettable hike.
A coastal national park about a drive away, known for dunes, marshes and excellent birdwatching trails; ideal for day trips and nature photography.
Informal walking paths across dunes and shoreline areas offering scenic views and short hikes — best at low tide and with local guidance.
Rolling hills and rural routes in the Serra do Sudeste region provide low-to-moderate hikes through countryside landscapes and gaucho farms.
Airports
How to reach Pelotas by plane.
The local airport serving domestic flights and regional connections; convenient for quick access to the city by taxi or shuttle.
Major international and domestic hub approximately a 3–4 hour drive north (by car or intercity bus); used for most international connections and a common gateway to Pelotas.
Smaller regional airport to the southeast that can serve local flights and is reachable by road for additional flight options or coastal access.
Walkability
Demographics
Explore demographics in this area.
Many residents trace ancestry to Portuguese colonists and waves of Italian and German immigrants, reflected in local culture and culinary influences.
Afro-Brazilian heritage contributes to cultural expressions, music and community life in Pelotas and surrounding areas.
University students and younger residents bring energy to neighborhoods, cafés and nightlife, especially near academic institutions.
Popular Sports
Explore popular sports in region.
The most popular sport — local clubs and passionate supporters make matchdays lively; Brasil de Pelotas and Esporte Clube Pelotas are among the city's traditional teams.
Proximity to Lagoa dos Patos encourages rowing, small-boat activities and recreational fishing in calmer waters.
Horse riding, rodeo events and gaucho cultural festivals celebrate regional traditions and are common in rural surrounding areas.
Traffic
Accomodations
Find the best place to stay when visiting Pelotas.
Dietary Restrictions
Tips for restricted diets.
Vegetarianism is increasingly accommodated in cafés and modern restaurants, though traditional menus are meat-heavy; ask for salads, vegetable stews and pasta dishes and seek out specialty vegetarian-friendly cafés.
Vegan options exist but are less common; look for salads, grilled vegetables, rice and bean dishes, and check cafés for plant-based milk. Phrase ‘sou vegano(a)’ to ask about ingredients.
Gluten-free requests are understood in larger restaurants but cross-contamination is possible in bakeries and pastry shops; communicate restrictions clearly and prefer naturally gluten-free dishes (meats, rice, salads).