Aparecida do Taboado combines freshwater beaches on the Rio Paraná with pilgrimage, customs, and festivals. Its character ranges from riverside landscapes to specific event formats. There is an important distinction to keep in mind when planning: beaches, the sanctuary, and local traditions describe the place; several boat trips and festival offerings relate to individual events or specific years. You can therefore consider these themes separately, rather than assuming a past program is a permanent offering.

Rio Paraná: Riverbanks, Bridge, and Boat Destinations

Aparecida do Taboado has freshwater beaches along the banks of the Rio Paraná. The Ponte Rodoferroviária crosses the river at the border between São Paulo and Mato Grosso do Sul. Its modern architecture is also highlighted as a distinctive feature of the city. The riverbanks and the bridge offer different points of interest: one is about the riverside landscape, the other about a structure on the border between two states.

The boat trips described also had different destinations. A Passeio Náutico pelo Marco Zero do Rio Paraná set off in the waters of Aparecida do Taboado and headed toward Ilha Solteira. At a 3º Encontro Náutico at Marina Taboado, visitors could take boat trips on the Rio Paraná toward Santa Albertina. Another Passeio Náutico no Marco Zero do Rio Paraná included a boat trip to Parque Aquático Grandes Lagos. The destinations mentioned help distinguish these excursions; they do not form a single route.

Sport fishing is also associated with different events. Taboado Fishing is a sport fishing tournament held in Aparecida do Taboado on the Rio Paraná. More than 423 fish were released back into the river, and the competition also aimed to promote environmental protection. Tucuna Free is also a sport fishing tournament on the Rio Paraná and promotes respect for nature and sustainable fishing. The sport fishing tournament Tucuna Pro Brasil was announced for May 23, 2026, at Marina Taboado.

The boat trips and tournaments are tied to specific events. If you want to plan around a particular program, check before your trip whether that event is scheduled for your travel dates.

Pilgrimage, Customs, and Festivals

The Santuário Diocesano Nossa Senhora Aparecida was elevated to diocesan sanctuary on November 26, 2000. It is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the Diocese of Três Lagoas. The Festa de Santos Reis is part of Aparecida do Taboado’s official events calendar and is considered a living heritage of the community. The sanctuary and the festival thus reflect different aspects of religious and community life in the area.

Local customs also extend beyond individual festival days. The Cavalgada do Taboadão is considered one of Aparecida do Taboado’s most longstanding traditions. Catira Taboado performed at the Festa das Nações. The Cowboy’s Feast, in turn, is considered one of the largest events of its kind in the country. These examples highlight different aspects: a longstanding custom, a performance as part of a festival, and an event of notable scale.

Several programs are tied to specific dates, and their details should not be taken as offerings that remain the same every year. APT Folia 2026 took place from February 14 to 16 at Recinto da Festa do Peão and attracted residents and visitors. The 2025 edition of Aventura na Natureza – Festival de Praia at Marina Taboado featured beach tennis, futvôlei, beach volleyball, and a children’s area; activities were free. The Festival Gastronômico de Churrasco was held in 2024 for its third edition and has become a tradition in the local tourism calendar.

The themes can be considered separately when deciding on a trip: the riverbanks, the architecture of the Ponte Rodoferroviária, pilgrimage, and local customs each offer a different reason to explore the area. Specific festival and sports programs complement these local attractions, but each is tied to the event or edition mentioned.

Discover more destinations: Aparecida do Taboado, Angélica, São Gabriel do Oeste, Itaporã, Aquidauana, Batayporã, Costa Rica.

See the full travel guide: Mato Grosso Do Sul.