# Poços de Caldas

Poços de Caldas is in Southern Minas Gerais. It is one of the most traditional hydromineral and climatic resorts in Brazil, being a region very frequented by families and also excursions for the elderly. The city has a mild climate and a European flavor: it is a region of Italian colonization.

## Understand

The city's economy is based on tourism, but the city is a regional commercial hub and has some industries installed in the municipality, such as Alcoa and Danone. Most tourists come from São Paulo.
In 2021, it was home to 170,000 people.

## Get in

It is 260 km from the municipality of São Paulo and 169 km from Campinas (to which it is connected by roads, most of which are dual carriageways) and also 468 km from Belo Horizonte and 470 km from the municipality of Rio de Janeiro.

## See
### Parks and squares

* José Afonso Junqueira Park: Consisting of a large green area, the park stands out for its great scenic value and exuberant vegetation, with large trees, ornamental plants and various shrubs. The Fonte Luminosa enchants with its play of waters and colors and sets the musical tone in the center of the park. In the old building of the Centenário Library, the tourist can taste a delicious coffee from Minas Gerais and contemplate the beautiful landscape of the place.
* Praça Dom Pedro II - Praça dos Macacos: In this square is the thermal water source, as well as Balneário Mário Mourão. On weekends, the Handicraft Fair takes place.
* Antônio Molinari Municipal Park: On Avenida João Pinheiro, in front of the Country Club, the park has courts, a bicycle cross track, a jogging track, a skate track, a table for games of checkers and chess, a fixed stage, wooden playgrounds for children, a field soccer field, artificial lake, kiosks and gym equipment. All this in the midst of beds of roses, hydrangeas and pine trees.
* Pedro Sanches Square: It is named after one of the most important doctors in the city, Dr. Peter Sanches. The square is part of the hotel and tourist hydrothermal complex. On weekend nights, there are seresta and chorinho performances. The monument "Minas ao Brasil" is located in this square. The square follows the original design of 1928.
* Chess Square: The place recreates a board with giant chess pieces that can be handled by players. In the square there is also a monument to Italian immigrants and a machine that was used to pave the streets of the city, which is considered by many as a "Maria Fumaça". In front of this square is located the chess club of Poços de Caldas.
* Getúlio Vargas Square: Opposite Urca, this is where the Floral Clock is located and from where you can take the traditional carriage rides through the city streets; on these tours it is possible to visit knitting shops, crystal factories, as well as homemade sweets shops.

## Buy

The city is known for the production of handcrafted sweets and decorative objects in molten glass that resemble those of Murano in Italy.

## Sleep

* Carlton Plaza, Rua Junqueiras, 601, ☏ +55 35 3722-3311.
* Hotel Minas Gerais, Rua Pernambuco, 615, ☏ +55 35 3697-3300.
* Ibis, Rua Junqueiras, 520, ☏ +55 35 3660-6650.
* Monreale Hotels Resort, Av Leonor F. Delgado, 3033, ☏ +55 35 2101-0777.
* Nacional Inn, Rua Barros Cobra, 35, ☏ +55 35 3722-2000.
* Palace Hotel, Praça Pedro Sanches, s/nº, ☏ +55 35 3722-3636.