Bauru: Cerrado, Wildlife and Railway History

Bauru offers nature experiences featuring Cerrado vegetation and wildlife, as well as insights into the city’s railway history. A botanical garden, a forest reserve, the zoo and a railway museum each offer a different focus. If you’re looking for a vacation rental in Bauru, you can decide which of these experiences you want to shape your stay.

Cerrado Vegetation and Botanical Diversity

The Jardim Botânico Municipal de Bauru covers 321.71 hectares, of which 280 hectares are Cerrado vegetation. The grounds include an ecological trail, a viewpoint and a visitor center. If you’re interested in plants and natural areas, this offers a different way to experience Bauru than its animal- or railway-related attractions.

The Jardim Botânico is open Tuesday to Sunday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is also open on Mondays in January, July and December, as well as on public holidays and the days before them. Admission is free. Access is via the Zoológico Municipal on Rodovia Comandante João Ribeiro de Barros (SP-225), kilometer 232. This information will help you plan when to visit and take access into account when making your plans.

Trails and Facilities at Horto Florestal

Horto Florestal de Bauru is a 43.09-hectare protected area with ecological, aesthetic and recreational functions. Its inner and outer visitor areas have different facilities and opening hours. In the inner nature reserve, you can walk or jog on the trails Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m.

The outer visitor area is open daily from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., including weekends and public holidays. It has a running or walking route, a trail, a children’s playground and outdoor exercise facilities. The playground is a specific destination for families; the trails and exercise facilities also appeal to travelers who want to spend time outdoors. If you plan to visit several parts of Horto, note that the inner nature reserve and outer visitor area have different visiting hours.

Another natural area in the municipalities of Bauru and Pederneiras is RVS Aimorés, established in 2018. It is home to 572 plant species, including 11 species on the Red List of the State of São Paulo, as well as 35 amphibian, 27 mammal and 183 bird species. This diversity makes it particularly interesting for visitors who want to learn about plants and wildlife.

Wildlife and Environmental Education

Zoológico de Bauru cares for 700 animals from 170 different species, including birds, reptiles, fish and mammals. Its work also includes supporting wild animals: this encompasses veterinary and nutritional care, as well as rehabilitation and release back into the wild. Alongside the species in its care, animal welfare and the return to freedom are also central themes.

The environmental education program includes Bicho do Mês and Curso de Férias, among other activities. It also offers scheduled, guided visits, courses, community exhibitions, professional development for teachers and technicians, and virtual educational activities. Families who want to connect their stay with topics related to animals and the environment can choose from different ways to learn. The formats range from visits and exhibitions to virtual offerings.

Railway History at the Museum

Museu Ferroviário Regional de Bauru offers insights into railway history and displays locomotives, railway cars, objects, uniforms and documents from railway companies that drove Bauru’s growth. The collection reveals the different traces left by these companies, from vehicles to personal belongings and written records.

The museum building is also part of the story: the century-old building once served as the administrative headquarters of Estrada de Ferro Noroeste do Brasil. As a cultural heritage site of the State of São Paulo, it is protected by Condephaat. A visit to the museum thus also takes in a historic building whose former purpose was closely tied to the railway industry.

Choose Bauru based on the experiences that matter most to your trip.

More destination pages: Guararapes, Embu das Artes, Canas, Andradina, Guararema, Termas De Ibirá, Roseira and Rio Claro.

For the full travel overview: São Paulo.