Dourados, Brazil
Region: Mato Grosso do Sul
Geographic Coordinates: -22.220800, -54.805800
Temperature Range: 15.0°C to 35.0°C (59°F to 95°F)
Climate: Seasonal.
Population: 182747
Language: Portuguese
Dourados is a city situated in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. It’s the second-largest city in the state and has a population of around 220, 000 people. The city is famous for its cultural heritage, Nightlife, And natural beauty. One of the significant attractions in Dourados is its indigenous culture. The Guarani-Kaiowá tribe has lived here for centuries and has preserved their traditions despite modernization. Visitors can learn about their way of life by visiting one of their villages or attending cultural events like dance performances.
The food scene in Dourados is diverse with options ranging from traditional Brazilian dishes to international flavors like Japanese sushi or Italian pasta. One must-try local dish is carne de sol – salted beef that’s dried under the sun before being grilled to perfection. For nature enthusiasts, Dourados offers several outdoor activities such as hiking trails along Iguatemi River or bird-watching at Itahum Reserve Park. The park features an extensive network of trails that lead visitors through lush forests filled with exotic birds such as toucans and parrots.
Dourados also boasts an active nightlife scene with several bars, Clubs, And live music venues scattered throughout the city center. Visitors can enjoy samba music while sipping on caipirinhas – Brazil’s national cocktail made with cachaça (sugar cane liquor), Lime juice, Sugar, And ice. The city hosts various events throughout the year that attract tourists from all over Brazil and beyond. One such event is Expoagro – an agricultural fair held annually featuring livestock exhibitions, Machinery displays among other activities.
When it comes to accommodation options in Dourados there are plenty to choose from ranging from budget-friendly hostels to luxurious hotels like Hotel Bahamas or Hotel Gales Palace. Overall; Dourados offers visitors a unique blend of culture, Nature & entertainment making it one of Brazil’s most popular tourist destinations.
- Praça Antônio João – a central square that features shops, restaurants, and a beautiful fountain.
- Parque dos Ipês – a park with walking trails, playgrounds, and sports fields that’s perfect for outdoor activities.
- Museu Histórico de Dourados – a museum that showcases the history of the city and its indigenous cultures through various exhibits.
- Catedral Imaculada Conceição – a Catholic church with stunning stained glass windows that’s worth visiting.
- Teatro Municipal de Dourados – a theater that hosts cultural events throughout the year such as concerts, plays, and dance performances.
- Shopping Avenida Center – one of the most popular shopping malls in Dourados located in the city center.
- Agriculture
- Soybeans
- Corn
- Wheat
- Cotton
- Sugarcane
- Livestock
- Food processing
- Manufacturing
- Textiles
- Clothing items
- Services
- Healthcare
- Education
- Retail services
- Construction
- Technology-based startups
- Tourism
- Waterfalls
- National parks
- The founding of Dourados: Dourados was founded in 1935 by the explorer João Vicente Ferreira.
- Indigenous history: Prior to European arrival, the Guarani-Kaiowá people inhabited the region that is now known as Dourados.
- Colonization: The colonization of Dourados began during the early 20th century, with immigrants from various parts of Brazil and Europe settling in the area.
- Agricultural expansion: In the 1950s and 1960s, large-scale agricultural expansion transformed Dourados into a significant center for soybean production.
- Political activism: Recently, indigenous activists have demonstrated against land grabs and environmental destruction caused by agribusinesses in both Dourados and surrounding areas.
- Notable people from Dourados include:
- Luiz Carlos Heinze, politician
- Geraldo Resende, politician
- Antônio João Hugo Rodrigues de Oliveira (Toninho), football player
- Nando Reis, musician
- Cícero Lucena Filho (Cícero Lucena), politician
- Museu da Imagem e do Som de Dourados
- Centro Cultural José Octávio Guizzo
- Parque dos Ipês
- Catedral Imaculada Conceição
- Praça Antônio João
- Parque Ambiental Rego D’Água
- Memorial da Cultura Indígena
- Casa de Cultura UEMS
- Estação Ferroviária de Dourados
- Monumento aos Pioneiros de Dourados
- Dourados, a city in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, boasts several well-known sports teams.
- The Sete de Dourados Futebol Clube was established in 2005 and plays at the Douradão stadium.
- While the team has achieved some success in regional competitions,
- Operário Atlético Clube is one of the oldest sports clubs in Dourados and has won many titles over the years.
- Ubiratan Esporte Clube was founded in 1977 and played at Fredis Saldivar stadium until it closed down due to safety concerns.
- GRCE Caiuás, founded in 1981, is recognized for its strong youth development program.
- Together these teams have created a lively sporting community with a rich history of competition and achievement.
- Festa Junina – A traditional celebration held in June with music, dancing, and food.
- Festival Internacional de Teatro de Dourados (Festidourados) – An international theater festival held annually in August.
- Semana da Cultura – A week-long cultural event featuring music, dance, theater, and art exhibitions.
- Expoagro – An agricultural fair featuring livestock shows, rodeos, and agricultural exhibits.
- Encontro Nacional de Motociclistas – A national motorcycle gathering held annually in October.
- Feira do Livro de Dourados – A book fair held annually in November showcasing local authors and publishers.
- Festival Gastronômico Sabores do Campo Grande – A gastronomic festival celebrating the culinary traditions of the region.
- Carnaval – Brazil’s famous carnival is also celebrated in Dourados with colorful parades, music, and dancing.
- Churrascaria Pantanal – a traditional Brazilian steakhouse that serves various types of grilled meat.
- Casa do Yakisoba – a Japanese restaurant that specializes in yakisoba noodles and sushi.
- Restaurante Toca da Coruja – a rustic-style restaurant that offers typical Brazilian dishes like feijoada, moqueca, and carne de sol.
- Empório Mineiro – an eatery that serves Minas Gerais cuisine such as pão de queijo (cheese bread) and tutu de feijão (bean puree).
- Pizzaria La Fontana – a pizza place that offers both traditional and gourmet pizzas with unique toppings.
- Pastelaria Nossa Senhora Aparecida – a street food vendor that sells crispy pastels filled with meat, cheese, or vegetables.
- Sabor & Arte Café e Bistrô – a cozy café-bistro serving homemade cakes, sandwiches, salads, and coffee specialties.
- Bar do Gaúcho – a bar-restaurant known for its cold beer and appetizers like bolinho de mandioca (cassava fritter) and linguiça calabresa (spicy sausage).
- Parque Antenor Martins is a great place to enjoy outdoor activities like jogging, cycling, and picnicking. The park boasts a playground, walking trails, and a beautiful lake.
- Praça Antonio João is the heart of Dourados and hosts many cultural events throughout the year. It’s a public square that’s always bustling with activity.
- Parque dos Ipês features a large lake with paddle boats for rent as well as sports fields and playgrounds. It’s perfect for families looking to spend some quality time outdoors.
- Ecological Park of Lagoa Bonita is a nature reserve that offers hiking trails through forests and wetlands where you can spot local wildlife.
- Municipal Sports Center is an excellent complex that includes several sports fields and courts for soccer, basketball, volleyball, tennis, and more.
- Dourados Country Club is an exclusive club that offers golfing facilities as well as swimming pools and tennis courts for members only.
- Shopping Avenida Center is a shopping mall that has an indoor ice skating rink open to the public – perfect for cooling off during hot summer days!
- Cinépolis Dourados Cinema is located in downtown Dourados where you can catch all the latest movies in comfort at this modern cinema complex!
