A digital planetarium, a cultural complex in the city center and a museum with an archaeological connection reveal different facets of Duque de Caxias. Depending on whether you are interested in astronomy, performing arts, history or local traditions, you can choose different priorities for your stay.
Astronomy and Science
The Marcos Pontes Planetarium uses digital projection to show the night sky at different times of year, constellations from mythology, the formation of stars and the planets of the solar system. Its subject matter therefore ranges from astronomical observations and stories from mythology to questions about how stars and planets form. The Museu Ciência e Vida offers another focus on science: its facilities include temporary exhibitions, a planetarium, an auditorium and workshop spaces. The exhibitions are for people of all ages and with a range of interests; their specific topics may change. You will therefore find both changing exhibition content and spaces for different forms of learning here.
Theater and Culture in the City Center
The Centro Cultural Oscar Niemeyer is located at Praça do Pacificador in the center of Duque de Caxias. The cultural complex houses the Teatro Municipal Raul Cortez and the Biblioteca Municipal Governador Leonel de Moura Brizola. Teatro Raul Cortez is the largest performing arts center in Duque de Caxias. The stage and library therefore represent different cultural focuses in a centrally located setting. If you want to make theater the focus of your choices, the Raul Cortez’s status as a performing arts center is a helpful distinction from the city’s scientific offerings.
Archaeology and Cultural Heritage
The Museu Vivo do São Bento is a museum complex and is considered the first Ecomuseu de Percurso in the Baixada Fluminense. It is located in the São Bento neighborhood, in the 2nd district of Duque de Caxias. One of the museum’s visitor sites is the Sítio Arqueológico Sambaqui do São Bento. Visits there are possible by prior appointment and are intended for students from public and private schools, research groups and tourists. Arrange your visit before traveling there.
The archaeological site consists of mounds made up of mollusk shells, crustacean shells, and the bones of fish, birds and small mammals. This composition illustrates the way of life and daily routines of the first inhabitants of Duque de Caxias, known as the Sambaqui peoples. Another protected landmark is the Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Pilar; it is located in the 2nd district of the municipality of Duque de Caxias. Together, these sites offer different ways to explore the municipality’s history.
Nature, Market and Local Cuisine
The Parque Natural Municipal da Taquara is located in the Taquara neighborhood, in the 3rd district of the municipality of Duque de Caxias. A hike to Cachoeira da Baleia described in 2025 began there; the hike was classified as easy. This connection with nature offers a different focus from the museums and cultural institutions.
The traditional Feira de Duque de Caxias is an open-air market held on Sundays, with opening hours listed as 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Check the opening hours before your visit, as they may change. In 2015, the Feira was registered as intangible cultural heritage of the municipality. The Forrobodó area offers Northeastern Brazilian food, drinks and live forró music; the specific program may vary. The market thus highlights both the culinary traditions of Brazil’s Northeast and music.
Discover more destinations: Niterói, Sacra Família Do Tinguá, Trindade, Japeri, Macaé, São João De Meriti, Paquequer Pequeno, Petrópolis.
For the broader travel overview: Rio De Janeiro.
