For other places with the same name, see Boa Vista (disambiguation).

Downtown Boa Vista

Boa Vista is the capital of the state of Roraima in the north of Brazil. Most foreigners pass through en route between Manaus and Venezuela.

Understand

For a Brazilian state capital this size (about 437,000 in 2021), Boa Vista is remarkably quiet. Judging by the number of evangelical churches, Jesus has his equatorial stronghold here. Despite being more than 100 years old, the city has the aspects of a planned capital, with wide modern streets and traffic circles. Historical references are difficult to find.

Get in

By plane

LATAM and Gol operate to all large Brazilian airports, mostly via Manaus and/or Brasília.

Locally based Meta have more regional destinations, and also crosses the border into Suriname and Guyana.

The 10-minute cab ride from the airport to the centre runs at fixed 30 reais.

By bus

Boa Vista has 3 daily bus connections to Manaus by way of Presidente Figueiredo (11 hours, R$95) by Eucatur. This includes an en route passport screen by the Federal Police.

Also buses to deep into Venezuela.

Six daily buses to Bonfim and the border with Guyana. If crossing the border, do not get off in Bonfim, the bus will continue to the border.

Get around

Most sights are within walking distance from the central hotels. Buses pass by the terminal urbano in the center. Taxis marked lotação are slightly more expensive than buses, but run faster, and can also deviate somewhat from their routes for an extra fee. Regular cabs run on metres, but might insist on fixed prices to the bus station and airport.

See

• Ruins of Fort São Joaquim (32 km from the city by river or 52 km by highway BR-401). This fort was built in 1775 at the confluence of the Uraricoera and Branco rivers. Today only the foundations and some walls remain. 

Do

• Sunset cruises leave from Orla Taumanan at 17:00. Book ahead. Tel. 9971 5454.
• When the river is low, the far side has a string of beaches, a couple of them with shacks serving drinks and snacks. A boat ride across costs R$2.50.

Buy

Central Shopping Area of Boa Vista

Stores generally close early on Saturday and remain closed on Sunday.

Eat

• Cocktail bar e restaurante, Corner of Rua Araujo Filho and Avenida Getúlio Vargas. Spiced up from the regular Brazilian fare by the Indian owner Set lunch R$7. 
• Meu Cantinho (Right up from Orla Taumanan). Lunch till midnight. Set at the founding spot of the city. Mains for two at R$35. 

Drink

• Orla Taumanan (At the riverfront just down from the centre). Weekend evenings. A handful of stalls with plastic tables and chair around a makeshift stage with live music. 
• Sullivan (R$ 20 by taxi from the centre.). Forro at weekend nights Entrance R$10. Beer can R$3. 
• SINPOL (Right behind the bus station). Pagode once a week. Free entrance, large beer R$4. 
• Edi Lanches, Corner Av. Gen. Ataída Teive with R. Cristóvão Coelho (bus stop nearby). open everyday, usually until 03:00 if there are enough customers.. Drinking with the locals. 2 pool table available for R$1 a game. Skol Liter R$7, Brahma Liter R$6, snacks and small dishes available. (updated Aug 2016)

Sleep

Hotels are spread out between the centre and the bus station.

Budget

• Hotel Ideal, Corner Rua Araujo Filho and Rua Nossa Senhora Consolata, ☏ +55 95 3224-6342. Basic and clean Single with air con R$50, double R$70. 

Go next

Crossing borders with Venezuela

There is one morning bus for R$22, leaving from Terminal International at 07:00, to the border town of Pacaraima. The other option is to take a shared taxi. The shared taxis leave from Terminal Coimbe usually in the morning hours (07:00-10:00) and charge R$30-35 per person.