Welcome to Goiania, Brazil! It’s been 22 years since we touched down for a Grand Prix weekend in South America’s biggest country and some 47 since we travelled inland to the State of Goias but they do say absence makes the heart grow fonder for a reason. Unlike the major tourist hotspot cities of Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo and Salvador, Goiania doesn’t boast a coast but does show off its greenery and scenery, making it an idyllic backdrop for the most exciting sport on Earth to race in for Round 2.
Brazil evokes images of those sun-kissed beaches of Copacabana (not just a Barry Manilow hit single) and Ipanema, the islands of Fernando de Noronha and Ilha Grande and the old towns of Ouro Preto and Paraty. You’ve got sun, beach, mountains, the mighty Amazon rainforest and river… there’s something for everyone. But what if you break away from the established favourites and take in somewhere alternative? That’s where Goiania comes into its own.
With an astonishing 94 metres-squared of green space per inhabitant, the density of skyscrapers is more than matched by the density of trees. In fact, more than 30% of the city is covered in trees, which equates to a whopping 3.75 square kilometres. At the centre of this modern-planned, forward-thinking state capital is the Bosque dos Buritis which sprawls to a total area of more than 120,000 square metres. Home to the Goiania Art Museum and a running track, it’s one of the city’s largest parks. Then there’s the Parque Flamboyant with its two lakes and the immense Parque Zoologico which houses lions, tigers, bears and more.
Brazil’s tenth biggest city has a fun and vibrant phrase that encapsulates the spirit of the locals: ‘Já que não tem mar, vamos pro bar!’ This means ‘since there’s no sea, let’s hit the bar’ and in a city of 1.5 million people, there’s no shortage of fun, party and entertainment. Goiania is the birthplace of modao, a type of sertanejo music which connects modern life to rural roots with this trending country-style music.
If drinking and dancing aren’t your vibes, then food most certainly will be. Goiania is one of Brazil’s best foodie cities with everything from famous ‘Pit Dogs’ to traditional Goias cuisine. A hub for quality meats, you’re in for a treat when you get here. But if we’re to give you a restaurant recommendation, you can’t visit Goiania without a trip to Carne de Sol 1008 – high-end cuts of all types, it’s the go-to place in the city… we can confirm this because we’ve already been multiple times!
So, with Goiania’s cultural importance delved into, what about the rest of the country? We’ve mentioned those famous Rio beaches, those colonial old towns spread across the country and those white-sand islands that make Brazil a postcard but there’s more. Salavdor’s food scene is world-famous whilst sustainability-focused Curitiba is a must visit for a glimpse of the future. Hit the Amazonas region and along with the greenery, take in Manaus or head north for the coastal city of Fortaleza. Within striking distance of Goiania, the national capital Brasilia, as well as Caldas Novas, the world’s largest hydrothermal complex. Don’t forget the UNESCO World Heritage site of Goias Velho and the Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park either, which sits on a plateau with an estimated age of 1.8 billion (yes, billion) years.
MotoGP may well be taking over Goiania for the first time since 1989 and whilst it may be one of Brazil’s lesser-known cities, it’s certainly one that packs a cultural punch when you get here. With the racing weekend starting on Friday and finishing on Sunday, it’s the perfect basis for a weekend to explore the wider area and perhaps even the rest of the country. Prepare for all weather but more importantly, prepare for a good time.