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Cuiabá, Brazil: Humidity, Heat, and a Whole Lot of 'What Was That?'

@Elena Rossi2/9/2026blog
Cuiabá, Brazil: Humidity, Heat, and a Whole Lot of 'What Was That?'

okay, so i just landed back from cuiabá, brazil. it’s…a place. honestly, i’m still processing. i went chasing a rumor about a hidden vinyl shop, and ended up with a sunburn and a story. a really weird story.


first off, the numbers. i was given 3465038 and 1076112309. i have no idea what they mean, maybe a bus route? a lottery ticket? the number of mosquitos that tried to carry me away? who knows. but it felt important to include. the weather, though, that i can tell you about. i just checked and it’s…like walking into a warm, wet hug that doesn’t want to let go. 29.96°C, feels like 34.94°C, humidity at 70%. basically, your hair will have a mind of its own, and your clothes will be permanently damp. bring linen. seriously.

silhouette of 2 people riding on boat on water during sunset


so, the vinyl shop. it doesn’t exist. or, it does exist, but it’s actually a front for a…well, i’m not entirely sure. i asked around, and someone told me - after a few caipirinhas, naturally - that old man silva sells more than just records. apparently, he’s a collector of “lost things,” which could be anything from antique buttons to…well, let’s just say things you wouldn’t want to find in your attic. i didn’t go inside. i value my sanity. you can find some reviews of local shops on Yelp.

white and brown concrete building during daytime


but cuiabá isn’t just about mysterious old men and questionable record stores. the *Pantanal is close by, which is insane. i didn’t have time to go this trip, but i’m already planning a return. i heard from a guide that you can see jaguars just chilling on the riverbanks. apparently, it’s a photographer’s dream. check out TripAdvisor for Pantanal tours.

my neighbors, if you get bored, chapada dos guimarães is just a short flight away. it’s supposed to be stunning, with waterfalls and canyons. i’m adding it to the list.

someone told me the best place to eat pequi is at a tiny hole-in-the-wall near the market. they said it’ll either be the best thing you’ve ever tasted or the worst. no in-between.


and the people! everyone was so friendly, even when i butchered the portuguese. i tried to order a coffee and accidentally asked for a “small horse.” it was a whole thing. i’ve been brushing up on my portuguese with Duolingo.

The sun is setting over a city skyline

i overheard a group of locals arguing about the best place to get pastel*. apparently, it’s a serious matter. one guy swore by a street vendor named dona maria.


overall, cuiabá is…unexpected. it’s hot, it’s humid, it’s a little bit chaotic, and it’s full of surprises. it’s not a place you go for perfectly curated instagram photos. it’s a place you go to get lost, to stumble upon weirdness, and to embrace the heat. and maybe, just maybe, to find a lost thing or two. you can find more info on the local tourism board's website: Visit Cuiabá.

and one last thing: bring bug spray. seriously. you’ll thank me later.

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About the author: Elena Rossi

Bringing a fresh perspective to age-old questions.

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