A Comprehensive Guide about Living in Campinas

Life in Campinas

Culture and Leisure

Campinas is considered one of the cultural capitals of São Paolo state, mainly due to its large student population and many art galleries and institutions. The city has three major theaters, all of which put on shows throughout the year, and is home to what is considered one of the best symphony orchestras in Brazil. There is also a preserved woodland area in the city center, and an urban lagoon and waterpark, as well as surrounding rainforest and mountainous areas and natural spas. The student population also brings a lot to the cultural scene of the city, including the Central Railway Station, an old train station that has since been converted into a cultural center with exhibition spaces and art installations. Football also plays a big part in the cultural life of Campinas; the city is home to three established professional teams.

Healthcare in Campinas

Expatriates that are permanent residents of Brazil will be able to use the public healthcare system for free whilst living in Campinas. However, as the public system is underfunded and overcrowded with long waiting times, many expatriates instead choose to use the private healthcare system. In order to do so without incurring huge fees, you are advised to take out comprehensive private medical insurance whilst living in Campinas. Many doctors in the private system will speak English, and the standard of care and the quality of the facilities is much higher than in public hospitals. As it is a large city, expatriates and foreigners should have no trouble finding prescription medicines whilst living in Campinas, and many of the city’s pharmacies will be open 24 hours a day.

Education in Campinas

Brazil has a free public education system, to which expatriates will able to send their children whilst living in Campinas. As a major city with a thriving local economy, Campinas has an excellent public school system, however, as Portuguese is the language of instruction, many expatriates living in Campinas send their children to English speaking international schools instead of using the public system. As it has a large expatriate population, there is a wide range of international schools in Campinas to choose from, including St Giles Campinas, the American School of Campinas and Sant’Anna International School. Campinas is also known as a university city as it is home to a number of institutes of higher education, most notably the Universidade Estadual de Campinas.