The planned capital of Piauí state has wide streets, colonial buildings, and a hot climate. Home to Brazil's largest northeastern cathedral and multiple universities.
Teresina, the capital of Brazil's Piauí state, sits between the Parnaíba and Poti rivers - the only northeastern state capital not on the Atlantic coast. Walk through the green corridors of Parque Zoobotânico to spot toucans and capuchin monkeys, catch an evening performance at the 19th-century Teatro 4 de Setembro, or browse local art exhibitions at Casa da Cultura. With daily temperatures often reaching 40°C (104°F), locals adapt their schedules around the heat, making early mornings and evenings the most active times.
Getting Around Teresina
The Teresina Metro connects nine stations from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM, running between the main commercial and residential areas. City buses operate from 5:00 AM to midnight, with buses every 15 minutes during peak hours (7:00-9:00 AM and 5:00-7:00 PM). Find taxis and ride-sharing services at designated points near Shopping da Cidade, Universidade Federal do Piauí, and Praça Rio Branco.
Weather and When to Visit
Teresina's climate divides into two main seasons. From January to May, afternoon rain showers cool down the warm air. June through August brings drier weather with nighttime temperatures around 20°C (68°F). Between September and December, temperatures exceed 40°C (104°F), and most street activity moves to early morning or after sunset.
Rivers and Vegetation
The city marks where northeastern Brazil meets the Amazon region. Carnaúba and babaçu palms line the streets, while jatobá and ipê trees grow throughout the neighborhoods. Visit Encontro dos Rios at sunset to see where the Parnaíba and Poti rivers meet, and watch local fishing boats return with their daily catch.
Museums and Arts
Casa da Cultura displays paintings and sculptures by Piauí artists, changing its main exhibition every three months. At Centro Artesanal "Master Dezinho", you'll see artisans creating clay figures of regional birds and animals, and painting ceramic tiles with geometric patterns inspired by indigenous art. Teatro 4 de Setembro hosts performances every Friday and Saturday, including Brazilian plays, classical concerts, and dance shows.
Sports Scene
Watch football matches at Albertão Stadium, where local teams Flamengo-PI, River-PI, Tiradentes, and Piauí-PI compete in the state championship from January to April. Delta Rugby Clube, one of Brazil's top women's rugby teams, trains at the Federal University fields on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. The stadium also hosts regional track competitions each March and October.
