A growing city in São Paulo state, known for creating Brazil's popular Bauru sandwich. Home to major universities and the Municipal Zoo with 880+ animals.
Bauru, a mid-sized city in São Paulo state, lies 326 kilometers northwest of São Paulo. This is where the Bauru sandwich was invented—roast beef, melted cheese, tomato, and pickles on French bread. The city mixes academic life from places like UNESP with farming traditions. Walk through Vitória Régia Park’s large grassy areas, catch a play at the angular SESC Bauru building, or watch a basketball game at Ginásio Panela de Pressão. Pelé trained here as a teenager, and astronaut Marcos Pontes grew up nearby. Red dirt roads, eucalyptus farms, and winters warm enough for t-shirts give Bauru its unique character.
The Bauru Sandwich: How to Eat It
Casemiro Pinto Neto, a law student in the 1930s, invented the Bauru sandwich at bars near the old railway station. Thinly sliced roast beef, melted queijo prato cheese, tomato, and pickles sit inside a hollowed French roll. Order one at Ponto Chic or smaller cafes along Rua Batista de Carvalho. Most people eat it with their hands, but watch how locals balance the ingredients. Drink it with a draft beer or guarana soda to match how residents enjoy it.
Railroads and Coffee Shaped the City
Bauru grew in the late 1800s as coffee plantations moved inland, though the soil here wasn’t as fertile. The Noroeste do Brasil railway, built in 1905 to connect São Paulo to Bolivia, made the city a key transport stop. Visit the restored Bauru Station to see old locomotives on display. The name “Bauru” likely comes from the Tupi-Guarani word “ybauru,” meaning “basket of fruits,” tied to conflicts between Kaingang and Guaraní tribes. Highways now replace trains, but the station remains an important landmark.
Parks and Public Spaces
Vitória Régia Park covers 18 acres with jogging paths, a lake filled with giant water lilies, and playgrounds. SESC Bauru holds theater shows, art displays, and has a pool area that families frequent. For calmer spots, head to Rui Barbosa Square under jackfruit trees and palms. The Automobile Club building from the 1940s stands out with its curved design, contrasting with Santa Terezinha Church’s pointed towers. On weekends, people bring picnics here or join Festa Junina dances in June.
Basketball, Soccer, and Pelé’s Early Days
Associação Bauru’s basketball team won major tournaments in 2014 and 2015, drawing fans to the 6,000-seat Ginásio Panela de Pressão. Soccer fans cheer for Esporte Clube Noroeste at Estádio Noroeste, which holds 15,000 people. Pelé lived here as a teen, playing for local youth teams before becoming famous. Neighborhood soccer tournaments take over fields in winter, and you might see kids practicing capoeira near the train station. Join a casual game in the park if you’re up for it.
Universities and Student Life
UNESP’s campus in Bauru is known for dentistry and engineering, with a public dental clinic offering low-cost care. USP’s satellite campus focuses on biomedicine, attracting students from across Brazil. Bookstores like Livraria Jaqueira downtown become hubs for debates over coffee and coxinhas. At night, botecos near campuses fill with live música sertaneja on weekends. The student population keeps cafes busy and brings energy to quieter streets.
Daily Life and Meals
Lunch is the biggest meal, typically rice, beans, grilled picanha steak, and farofa. Restaurants like Baby Buffalo serve rodízio barbecue, slicing meat straight onto your plate. Dinner might be a cheese pastel from a street cart or soup. Locals wear jeans even on hot winter days, adapting to the dry season’s warmth. Bikes or ride-hailing apps help you reach areas like Jardim Estoril, since walking isn’t common outside downtown. After sunset, the city stays quiet except for ice cream shops and pharmacies.
Travel Tips and Weather
Bauru-Arealva Airport, 20 kilometers west, serves private planes. Most visitors drive four hours from São Paulo-Guarulhos Airport via BR-369 highway. Summers (October–March) are hot and rainy, while winters (April–September) stay dry with temperatures above 60°F. Bring light clothes but pack a sweater for chilly buses. February rains can disrupt outdoor plans, but storms usually pass quickly.
Festivals and Live Music
In October, Feira das Nações turns Vitória Régia Park into a global fair with Lebanese kibbeh, Japanese tempura, and German sausages. Dance groups perform samba and forró late into the night. June’s Peanut Festival has candy stalls and tractor parades celebrating the local crop. For live music, check SESC Bauru’s schedule or bars like Armazém do Reino, where Brazilian bands play weekly. Local radio stations sometimes host free concerts in squares.
