Guide to Host City
Vitória, Espírito Santo: Your Guide to the Conference City
Vitória, Brazil
Vitória is the capital of the state of Espírito Santo, located on Brazil’s southeastern coast between Rio de Janeiro and Salvador. Unlike most Brazilian capitals, the city is largely situated on an island surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and Vitória Bay, forming an archipelago connected to the mainland by several bridges. This geography gives the city a distinctive landscape where beaches, urban neighborhoods, mangroves, and granite hills coexist within a relatively compact area.
With around 340,000 inhabitants and nearly two million people in the surrounding metropolitan region, Vitória combines the infrastructure of a regional economic center with the atmosphere of a coastal city known for its high quality of life. The city is recognized for its safety, urban organization, and proximity to nature, making it an attractive destination for visitors and international events.
The conference is organized by the Federal University of Espírito Santo (UFES), one of Brazil’s leading public universities. UFES’s Goiabeiras Campus is conveniently located close to both the airport and the coast. Vitória International Airport is approximately 5 km from the campus, with a travel time of about 10 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The university is also located near Camburi Beach, the city’s longest beach and a popular place for walking, running, and cycling along its seaside promenade.
Places to Visit
Vitória offers a variety of natural and cultural attractions within short distances. Camburi Beach, located close to UFES, is the city’s longest beach and a popular place for walking, running, and enjoying the seaside landscape. The Convento da Penha, located in the neighboring city of Vila Velha, is one of the most important historical landmarks in Espírito Santo and offers panoramic views of the region.
Visitors may also enjoy exploring the Historic Center of Vitória, which includes colonial architecture, churches, and museums, or visiting the Projeto Tamar Visitor Center, located along Camburi Beach. Projeto Tamar is one of Brazil’s most important marine conservation initiatives dedicated to the protection of sea turtles and coastal ecosystems. An optional visit to the center will be organized for conference participants interested in learning more about these conservation efforts.
Getting Around
Vitória is a relatively compact city, and distances between key locations such as the airport, UFES, hotels, and Camburi Beach are short. The most convenient ways to move around the city are taxi or ride-hailing services such as Uber, which are widely available and reliable. Travel times between the airport, UFES, and most hotels in the Camburi area are typically between 10 minutes.
Public buses are also available but may be less practical for visitors unfamiliar with the local system.
Food and Local Cuisine
Vitória is well known for its regional gastronomy. The most traditional dish is moqueca capixaba, a seafood stew prepared with fish, tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and cooked in a traditional clay pot. Another popular dish is torta capixaba, typically prepared during Easter with seafood and palm heart.
The Camburi area offers a wide range of restaurants, cafés, and casual dining options, many of them located along the beachfront. Visitors will also find diverse international cuisine and vegetarian options throughout the city.
Weather in December
December marks the beginning of the Brazilian summer. In Vitória, the climate is typically warm and humid, with average temperatures ranging between 24°C and 32°C (75–90°F). Short tropical rain showers may occur, usually in the afternoon or evening, but they rarely last long. Light clothing, sunscreen, and comfortable shoes are recommended.
Accommodation
The official conference hotel is Hotel Alameda, located in the Camburi neighborhood, close to the beach, Vitória International Airport, and UFES Goiabeiras Campus. The hotel offers convenient access to the conference activities and the surrounding restaurants and services.
Participants may also find a range of other hotels and accommodations in the Camburi and Praia do Canto areas, both of which provide easy access to the university and the beachfront.
