This coastal Brazilian city has deep colonial roots, with 19th-century mansions lining its streets. Local seafood restaurants and traditional dance venues bring life to its historic center.
In Brazil's Rio Grande do Sul state, Pelotas draws visitors to its annual Fenadoce festival, where you can taste traditional Portuguese sweets made from 18th-century recipes. Walk through the São Francisco de Paula Metropolitan Cathedral with its distinctive blue-tiled dome, or visit the Carlos Ritter Museum to see its collection of preserved animals from the region. Along the Lagoa dos Patos, you can buy fresh shrimp directly from fishing boats at Colônia Z-3 or swim at the beaches of Laranjal.
Getting Around Pelotas
You can reach Pelotas by air through its international airport, or drive 270 km from Porto Alegre. Buses run regularly from Porto Alegre and cities near the Uruguayan border, 130 km away. The city's port handles cargo ships that can't navigate fully loaded to Porto Alegre.
Sweet-Making and Food Culture
Local bakers in Pelotas still use 18th-century Portuguese recipes passed down through generations. During the two-week Fenadoce festival in June, you can taste more than 20 varieties of traditional sweets while watching live demonstrations of candy-making techniques. The city maintains its position as Brazil's main producer of xarque (jerked beef), with several active meatpacking facilities continuing this tradition.
Museums and Art Collections
At the Carlos Ritter Museum, examine preserved specimens of local birds, mammals, and reptiles alongside geological samples from the region. The Leopoldo Gotuzzo Museum of Art displays paintings and sculptures by Rio Grande do Sul artists. Learn about local confectionery traditions at the Candy Museum, or step into 19th-century life at the Museum of the Baroness, where period furniture fills a restored mansion. These museums support research programs for the city's 22,000 university students.
Coastal Areas and Fishing
The Laranjal district's beaches stretch along the Lagoa dos Patos, with calm waters suitable for swimming. Visit the fishing communities of Balneário dos Prazeres and Colônia Z-3 in the early morning to watch boats return with their catch. Local fishermen sell shrimp, fish, and other seafood directly from their boats.
Weather and Climate
Pelotas has warm summers and cool winters, with consistent rainfall throughout the year. Summer temperatures typically reach 28°C (82°F), while winter temperatures can drop to 8°C (46°F) with around 24 frost days annually. Winter months bring frequent morning fog, which usually clears by midday.
