Aquarium of the City

Experience life along the banks of the most important river in Brazil and meet the aquatic animals that live in this watershed.

Visit the Aquário da Bacia do Rio São Franciscoin Belo Horizonte to learn about the many species that live along and below the surface of the São Francisco River. Cascading down from Brazil’s Canastra Mountains, the river, one of the country’s longest, seems to have a life of its own. Walk along a re-creation of the riverbank and meet Brazil’s famous piraya piranhas.

Stroll through the aquarium’s many display spaces, which spread across two floors. Within the 22 different tanks, see 50 species of fish that are native to the São Francisco watershed. The 1,000 fish here include aquatic heavyweights including surubim, which weigh more than 66 pounds (30 kilograms) and dorado, weighing more than 22 pounds (10 kilometers). Meanwhile, several tanks showcase life on the river’s bed.

Make sure you stop at the aquarium’s auditorium to see the engaging exhibit about the steamboats of the past. The aquarium is part of the Belo Horizonte zoological gardens. Combine your visit to the aquarium with a trip to the zoo to see many land-dwelling creatures as well.

Tie in a visit to the Aquário da Bacia do Rio São Franciscowith a walk through the nearby UNESCO World Heritage site of Pampulha Modern Ensemble. The distinctive modern look of the buildings in this cultural center was created by renowned Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer in the 1940s. This look has come to symbolize the city of Belo Horizonte. The area centers on a vast artificial lake and also features landmarks of the Museu de Arte da Pampulha, the Church of Saint Francis of Assisi, Casa do Baile, Iate Clube and Casa Kubitschek.

The Aquário da Bacia do Rio São Franciscois open every day except Monday. Come on the second Tuesday any month to enjoy one of the aquarium’s atmospheric evening tours.