Stand on the Praça Rui Barbosa in the late afternoon and you will see the twin towers of Uberaba Cathedral catch the light while the city's business district hums around it. This is a city on the Uberaba River, in the Brazilian Highlands, that has been a crossroads since the nineteenth century, and it still works as one: a regional centre for culture, commerce and entertainment.
Uberaba suits travellers who are curious about palaeontology, cattle country and Minas Gerais life away from the big tourist routes. The rural district of Peirópolis, with its fossils of the Late Cretaceous, is the single strongest reason to come. The city itself is compact enough to see on foot in a day.
This guide covers the sights named in the sources, the best order to see them, and a one-day plan that strings them together.
Top things to do in Uberaba
1. Peirópolis Ranch and Paleontology Museum
Peirópolis is the rural district where workers accidentally came across well-preserved fossils in 1945, and it remains the heart of Uberaba's palaeontology. The Paleontological Research Center Llewellyn Ivor Price was established here in 1991 and works on the fossil fauna and environments of the Late Cretaceous, with its own technical team for fossil preservation. As part of the research center, the Dinosaur Museum presents palaeontological knowledge to the public through interactive and educational exhibitions.
Give this the largest share of your time. It is the reason Uberaba holds geopark recognition, and the collections and displays reward slow reading rather than a quick pass.
2. Uberaba Cathedral
The cathedral anchors the centre of the city and is one of the landmarks you can build a walking route around. It is worth seeing as part of the same outing as the Sacred Art Museum, since the two together give you the city's religious heritage in one stretch.
Combine it with the museum and the sanctuary rather than treating it as a separate trip.
3. Uberaba Sanctuary (Santuário de Uberaba)
The sanctuary was built in the second half of the nineteenth century, which makes it one of the older pieces of built heritage you can visit in the city. Its age and its function give it a different character from the cathedral, and it is a natural third stop on a central walking route.
Visit it in the same half-day as the cathedral and the Sacred Art Museum, when you are already in the centre.
4. Sacred Art Museum (Museu da Arte Sacra)
This museum holds religious art and is best understood alongside the city's churches. It is a small, focused stop rather than a long visit, and it works well as the indoor part of a day that also includes the cathedral and the sanctuary.
Pair it with the two religious buildings so the collection has context.
5. Jacarandá Park (Parque do Jacarandá)
This is Uberaba's zoo, with grounds that are home to an array of regional animals. It is the best option in the city if you are travelling with children or want a break from the streets.
Set aside a couple of hours and go earlier in the day, when animals tend to be more active and the heat is less intense.
6. Ipê Woods (Mata do Ipê)
A large park of native trees with trails for strolling. It is the place to go when you want shade, birdsong and an unhurried walk rather than a checklist of sights.
Wear shoes you do not mind getting dusty and take water; the trails are for walking, not for a quick loop.
7. Carrinho Woods (Mata do Carrinho)
Another patch of native woodland within the city, and a quieter alternative when you have already walked Ipê Woods. It suits an early morning or late afternoon stroll.
Combine it with Ipê Woods if you want a full green half-day, or keep it as a short stop on the way to something else.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start in the centre with Uberaba Cathedral, then walk to the Uberaba Sanctuary and the Sacred Art Museum while the day is still cool. These three sit together and give you the historic core in one stretch.
Afternoon: Head out to Peirópolis for the Peirópolis Ranch and Paleontology Museum and the Paleontological Research Center Llewellyn Ivor Price. This is the part of the day to protect: allow generous time for the exhibitions and the site.
Evening: Return to the city and finish with a slow walk in Ipê Woods or Carrinho Woods if daylight allows, or Jacarandá Park if you have children with you and prefer the zoo.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time of year to visit Uberaba?
The city has a tropical climate with an average annual temperature of about 21.9 °C. Rain falls on an average of 86 days a year, with the highest amounts in December and the lowest in July, so July is the driest month for outdoor plans.
Why is Peirópolis important for a visitor?
Peirópolis is where the first fossils were found by chance in 1945, and it is home to the Paleontological Research Center Llewellyn Ivor Price and the Dinosaur Museum. The fossil record there dates to the Late Cretaceous, roughly 80 to 66 million years ago.
What did UNESCO recognise in Uberaba?
On 27 March 2024, Uberaba gained recognition from UNESCO as a global geopark. That status reflects the geological and palaeontological interest of the territory, including the geosites identified in the area.
How do I get to Uberaba?
Road access is provided by BR-050, linking the city to Brasília and São Paulo, and by BR-262, linking it to Belo Horizonte. Air access is provided by Mário de Almeida Franco Airport.
Decide your dates, book around the dry July window, and put Peirópolis at the centre of the plan.