Alvorada, Rio Grande do Sul, is a municipality of around 187,000 inhabitants (2022) just north of Porto Alegre, about 20–27 km away by road. Known as the "Capital of Solidarity", it was founded in 1965, initially as a commuter town with most residents working in Porto Alegre. Covering about 70–73 km², its terrain is flat (~17 m elevation) and it borders Porto Alegre, Gravataí, Viamão, and Cachoeirinha.

Alvorada’s economy centers on commerce, services, manufacturing, education, and some agriculture. It hosts a small industrial district along RS‑118 and boasts modest GDP per capita relative to the state

Top Things to Do & See

Praça João Goulart (Central Square & Chimarródromo)

This central park is great for families—playgrounds, food stalls (hot dogs, soft drinks, snacks), gravestones for chimarrão (yerba tea), and community gathering spaces. Many locals highlight its lively, welcoming atmosphere.

Chimarródromo

A literal water station offering hot water for chimarrão—commune with locals, sip yerba tea, chat under shaded trees, relax in a laid-back environment.

Parque Municipal Lagoa do Cocão

A green park featuring a lagoon, sports courts, walking paths, and playgrounds—great for outdoor exercise and leisure

Cultural Venues & Monuments

• Museu Municipal de Alvorada, cultural center and exhibition space on local history and art

• Centro Cultural de Alvorada and Casa das Artes Villa‑Lobos offer art shows, music, theater, and workshops

• Monumento ao Imigrante Italiano and local churches like Igreja Matriz Nossa Senhora da Conceição add cultural and architectural interest.

Eat & Drink

• Experience traditional gaucho flavors, including fresh churrasco BBQ and regional dishes paired with chimarrão—a local staple.

• Snack vendors around the square serve churros, hot dogs, popcorn, juices, and street food in a friendly atmosphere

• Local cafés and small restaurants offer feijoada, pão de queijo, coxinha, brigadeiros and a mix of comfort foods from Portuguese, African, and indigenous culinary influences 

Travel Tips

• Safety first: While many areas feel community‑oriented, crime rates can be elevated in neighborhoods like Umbu. Stay alert, especially at night 

• Getting there: Easily reachable by the RS‑118 highway from Porto Alegre; public buses or Uber/taxis are practical for short trips. Avenida Presidente Vargas is the city’s main commercial axis

• Language: Portuguese is universal—knowing basic phrases goes a long way.

• Best time to visit community spaces: Mornings and late afternoons in Praça Central and Chimarródromo are ideal—cooler light, more activity and food stalls present 

Where to Stay & Recommendations

Alvorada is a bedroom community without major tourist hotel infrastructure. Most visitors stay near Porto Alegre and commute. A practical option is to book lodging in central Porto Alegre or Gravataí—each within easy commuting distance to Alvorada. If available locally, small guesthouses or budget hotels near Avenida Presidente Vargas offer convenience.