14º Encompassos: Things to Do in Uberlândia, Brazil, During Your NA Gathering
December 11–13, 2026 | Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Planning to attend 14º Encompassos CSA do Cerrado — Por Que Ficamos in Uberlândia, Brazil? This three-day Narcotics Anonymous gathering, scheduled for December 11–13, 2026, brings fellowship and recovery to the heart of Minas Gerais.
The event takes place at Retiro Oasis, with the theme Por Que Ficamos — “Why We Stay.” For visitors arriving from another Brazilian city or traveling from abroad, it is an opportunity to experience fellowship while discovering a destination that offers green spaces, regional food, interesting local history and the welcoming culture of Minas Gerais.
Uberlândia may not be as internationally famous as Rio de Janeiro or São Paulo, but that's part of its appeal. The city offers a less tourist-heavy experience, with everyday Brazilian culture, local markets, leafy parks and a strong sense of regional identity.
Whether you're arriving a day early, taking a short break during the weekend or staying after the gathering, here are practical ways to enjoy Uberlândia while keeping the NA event at the centre of your trip.
Planning your visit? See the official Narcóticos Anônimos Brasil event listing for current event information.
Why Visit Uberlândia, Minas Gerais?
Uberlândia is one of the major urban centres of the Triângulo Mineiro region in western Minas Gerais.
The city combines modern infrastructure with the cultural traditions of the Brazilian interior. Visitors will find shopping districts, cafés, green spaces, local markets and food that reflects the state's distinctive culinary heritage.
Unlike a compact historic town, Uberlândia is spread across several neighbourhoods. That means planning transportation is important, especially when visiting an event venue outside the busiest parts of the city.
If you're attending 14º Encompassos, the most convenient approach is to make the gathering your priority and choose just one or two manageable outings around your travel schedule.
1. Spend Some Time at Parque do Sabiá
One of Uberlândia's best-known attractions is Parque do Sabiá, the city's major public recreation park.
Located in the eastern part of the city, the park offers an extensive green area, a lake, walking and running paths, recreational facilities and opportunities to enjoy the outdoors.
It's an appealing place for travelers who want a little fresh air after a long journey or a change of pace before heading into a weekend of fellowship.
You don't need to plan a full day here. A relaxed walk, time beside the lake or a quiet moment surrounded by greenery can be enough.
The park is also a good option for visitors traveling with family members who may want an outdoor activity while in Uberlândia.
Best for: A one- to two-hour outdoor outing, an early-morning walk or a relaxed visit before returning to your other plans.
The city reported in November 2026 that the main park operates daily from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., with last entry at 9 p.m. Individual attractions have separate schedules, so check current details before visiting.
Parque do Sabiá — Official Visitor Information
2. Explore Uberlândia's Mercado Municipal
For a more local experience, consider visiting the Mercado Municipal de Uberlândia, the city's historic municipal market.
Located at Rua Olegário Maciel, 255, in central Uberlândia, the market has been part of the city's commercial history since the 1940s.
Today, it offers an opportunity to experience some of the foods, products and traditions associated with Minas Gerais.
Depending on the shops operating during your visit, you may find regional food products, crafts, specialty items and places to enjoy a casual meal or coffee.
This is a particularly good destination for someone who enjoys learning about a place through everyday local culture rather than major tourist attractions.
Best for: A short morning visit, local food, browsing and picking up something distinctive from Minas Gerais.
The municipality lists market-shop hours that include Saturday and Sunday morning, but individual vendors and dining businesses may follow different schedules.
Mercado Municipal — City of Uberlândia
3. Discover the Fundinho Historic District
If you have a little more time to explore central Uberlândia, head toward Fundinho, one of the city's older districts.
This area offers a different atmosphere from Uberlândia's broad modern avenues. Here, you'll find historic buildings, cultural spaces and streets connected with the city's early development.
Fundinho makes a good starting point for travelers who enjoy architecture, local history and slower-paced sightseeing.
Museu Municipal de Uberlândia
The Museu Municipal, or Municipal Museum, occupies the historic Palácio dos Leões at Praça Clarimundo Carneiro.
The building once served civic functions and now provides a setting for exhibitions relating to Uberlândia's history and cultural development.
The museum is typically open on weekdays, so it is best suited to visitors arriving before Friday afternoon or staying beyond Sunday. The published schedule currently lists it as closed on Saturdays and Sundays.
Municipal Museum — Minas Gerais Tourism
Casa da Cultura
Another interesting option in Fundinho is the Casa da Cultura, a historic building used for exhibitions and cultural activities.
Programming varies, but the building and its role in the city's cultural life make it worth checking if you enjoy Brazilian art and architecture.
Casa da Cultura — Minas Gerais Tourism
Best for: A relaxed cultural outing, especially if you have a weekday afternoon available before or after the event.
4. Walk Around Praça Tubal Vilela
In central Uberlândia, Praça Tubal Vilela is one of the city's important public squares.
Its history is closely tied to the development of modern Uberlândia. Today, the square is a recognizable downtown landmark, with landscaped areas and features that reflect the city's architectural and urban history.
A visit here works well as part of a wider downtown outing rather than as a major standalone excursion.
Spend some time looking around the square, then continue to a nearby café or another central attraction.
Best for: A short city-centre walk combined with coffee, lunch or browsing local shops.
Praça Tubal Vilela — Official Historical Information
Enjoy the Food of Minas Gerais
One of the most enjoyable parts of visiting Uberlândia is the chance to discover regional Brazilian food.
Minas Gerais is famous for comforting, flavorful cooking, and many of its traditional dishes are well suited to a relaxed lunch or dinner.
Here are a few foods worth looking for during your visit.
Pão de queijo: These small, chewy Brazilian cheese breads are one of Minas Gerais' most recognizable specialties. They're especially good with coffee in the morning.
Feijão tropeiro: A traditional dish combining beans with toasted cassava flour and other ingredients, with variations from restaurant to restaurant.
Frango com quiabo: Chicken cooked with okra, a regional comfort-food classic.
Queijo Minas: A family of regional cheeses that can be enjoyed with bread, fruit or other local foods.
Doce de leite and goiabada: Sweet regional favorites that make a pleasant dessert or afternoon treat.
A simple meal at a local restaurant or café can be one of the most memorable parts of a trip, particularly when shared with friends from the fellowship.
You don't need an elaborate dining itinerary. Look for a convenient, well-reviewed place near your accommodation or wherever you're sightseeing, and leave room for spontaneity.
What Can You Do With Only One or Two Free Hours?
A gathering like 14º Encompassos can fill much of your weekend. You may have little time for sightseeing, especially if your accommodation is close to the retreat venue rather than the city centre.
If you only have a short window, keep your plans simple.
For fresh air: Visit Parque do Sabiá if travel time allows.
For local food: Stop at a café or restaurant and try something from Minas Gerais.
For culture: Explore a small section of central Uberlândia, including the Mercado Municipal or Praça Tubal Vilela.
For quiet time: Enjoy breakfast or coffee without building a sightseeing schedule around it.
These options are alternatives, not a suggested circuit to complete between NA sessions. Uberlândia is a large city, and travel between the retreat venue and central attractions may be more involved than the sightseeing itself.
Have Half a Day? Explore Central Uberlândia
If you're arriving before the Friday gathering begins or staying afterward, consider setting aside half a day to get a feel for the city.
Begin near Praça Tubal Vilela and explore part of the surrounding downtown area.
Continue to the Mercado Municipal, where you can browse local products and enjoy a casual lunch or coffee.
If you're visiting on a weekday, consider adding Fundinho and the Municipal Museum or another cultural attraction whose opening hours suit your schedule.
This creates a manageable introduction to Uberlândia without requiring a lengthy drive across the city.
For visitors who prefer outdoor time, Parque do Sabiá is a good alternative to the downtown itinerary.
Because the gathering is at Retiro Oasis rather than a confirmed downtown hotel, arrange your transport based on the venue's exact location. Do not assume these city-centre attractions are within walking distance of the event.
Getting to Uberlândia
Uberlândia is a major transport centre in the Triângulo Mineiro region, making it accessible by air, road and intercity bus.
Flying Into Uberlândia
The city is served by Uberlândia Airport (UDI), officially Aeroporto Tenente-Coronel Aviador César Bombonato.
For domestic and international travelers, reaching Uberlândia may involve connecting through a larger Brazilian airport.
Taxi services operate at the airport, and the city's bus network serves the airport area.
In July 2026, the municipality announced that bus route A229 had been adjusted to serve the new passenger terminal. Check current routes and stops before using public transit.
Uberlândia Airport — Official Airport Information
Arriving by Intercity Bus
Uberlândia also has intercity bus connections with destinations across Minas Gerais and other parts of Brazil.
This may be a practical option for attendees traveling from neighboring cities or states.
Check departure locations and estimated arrival times before your journey, particularly if you need to arrange an onward ride to Retiro Oasis.
Getting Around the City
Uberlândia has an extensive municipal bus system, including several integrated terminals.
The municipality provides current route information and transit planning resources through its transportation website.
For visitors unfamiliar with the city, a taxi or app-based ride may be more convenient for travel involving luggage or an outlying venue, subject to local availability.
Important: The official NA event listing identifies the venue as Retiro Oasis but does not provide a complete street address. Confirm the exact entrance or location pin with the event organizer before arranging ground transportation. Do not rely on a guessed route.
Uberlândia Public Transportation — Official Information
What Is Uberlândia Weather Like in December?
December marks the beginning of summer in Brazil and is part of the wetter season in the Triângulo Mineiro region.
In Uberlândia, typical December daytime temperatures are around 28°C (82°F), with nights closer to 20°C (68°F).
Warm, humid conditions and afternoon showers are common during this part of the year.
For the gathering, consider packing lightweight clothing, comfortable shoes, a compact umbrella or waterproof jacket, sunscreen and a reusable water bottle.
If you're planning an outdoor excursion, a flexible morning outing can be preferable to depending on a dry afternoon.
Check the short-range forecast close to your travel date rather than relying only on seasonal averages.
Finding Narcotics Anonymous Meetings in Uberlândia
For some travelers, attending a local Narcotics Anonymous meeting outside the main gathering can be a meaningful way to connect with another recovery community.
Narcóticos Anônimos Brasil maintains official resources for finding in-person meetings.
The site includes a group-list service organized by local service areas (CSAs). The event is associated with CSA do Cerrado, within the CSR UAI region.
Use the official meeting resources to verify addresses, meeting formats and current schedules before visiting.
Find NA Groups and Meetings in Brazil
Make 14º Encompassos a Memorable Trip
The 14º Encompassos CSA do Cerrado — Por Que Ficamos is an opportunity to focus on fellowship, connection and the shared experience of recovery.
Uberlândia adds something special to that experience: a real Brazilian city with its own character, local traditions, green spaces and welcoming everyday culture.
You don't need to visit every attraction or spend the entire weekend sightseeing.
A peaceful walk through Parque do Sabiá, a coffee with new friends, a visit to the municipal market or a relaxed meal featuring Minas Gerais cuisine may be more than enough.
Keep the gathering at the heart of your plans, and enjoy the opportunity to discover a little of Uberlândia while you're in town.
14º Encompassos — Event Details
Event: 14º Encompassos CSA do Cerrado — Por Que Ficamos
Dates: December 11–13, 2026
City: Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Venue: Retiro Oasis (confirm the exact address with the organizer)
NA Service Area: CSA do Cerrado — CSR UAI
Official Event Information: Narcóticos Anônimos Brasil
Dan's Custom Gifts Event Listing: 14º Encompassos CSA do Cerrado
Explore More Events: Upcoming Narcotics Anonymous Conventions and Events
Event arrangements, venue access and local opening hours may change. Confirm essential information through the official sources before traveling.
Featured photo: André Nascente via Pexels. Used under the Pexels License.