Parque Portugal is where Campinas actually lives. The park wraps around the Lagoa do Taquaral, a large artificial lake, and on weekend mornings the paths are full of joggers, cyclists, inline skaters, and families pushing strollers. You can rent pedal boats and rowboats on the lake, and there's a small amusement park in one corner for children. A Japanese garden tucked toward the eastern end is pleasantly quiet by contrast — one of the better examples of Japanese garden design outside São Paulo itself.
The park covers about 470,000 square metres and is well maintained by city standards. Vendors sell coconut water, açaí, and pão de queijo along the main promenade. Come early on a Sunday morning if you want to see Campinas at its most relaxed, or on a weekday afternoon if you prefer the park without the crowds. The area around the lake is flat and easy to walk in its entirety in under an hour.