Quirinópolis (GO): the regional hub and the Chica Doida

Quirinópolis is the town that gives its name to the micro-region that includes Lagoa Santa, and the main urban hub in this part of southern Goiás. With about 48,000 inhabitants, sugarcane mills, agribusiness, a hospital, a university and a wide range of shops, it is the regional reference for services on the Goiás side, just as Paranaíba is on the Mato Grosso do Sul side. On top of that, it is the home of the Chica Doida, a typical corn dish recognized as intangible heritage of Goiás. It is about 150 km from Lagoa Santa.

Town facts

The hub of southern Goiás

Founded on January 22, 1944, Quirinópolis grew with cattle ranching and, in recent decades, with sugarcane: sugar and ethanol mills set up in the municipality and transformed the economy, attracting workers, service companies and commerce. The town has a regional hospital, higher education, bank branches, car dealerships, large supermarkets and a bus station with lines to Goiânia and to the southwest of the state. For people who live in or visit Lagoa Santa, it is where you sort out what Itajá cannot, without crossing the border into Mato Grosso do Sul.

The Chica Doida

The Chica Doida is a dish of grated fresh corn baked with cheese, sausage, seasonings and, in many recipes, guariroba, the bitter palm heart typical of Goiás. It was born in the region's country cooking and became a symbol of Quirinópolis, which recognized it as the official dish and holds an annual food festival around it. In 2022, the Chica Doida was declared intangible cultural heritage of Goiás. If you pass through town, try it at traditional restaurants and snack bars; during the festival, the choice multiplies. Confirm the dates with the Quirinópolis City Hall, because they change from year to year.

What to see in Quirinópolis

• Downtown and squares. Busy street shopping, the main church and the bustle of a medium-sized town in inland Goiás.
• Food. Chica Doida, pamonha (corn tamale), empadão goiano (Goiás pot pie) and farmhouse cooking.
• Chica Doida Festival. An annual event with cooks, concerts and a fair; dates: check locally.
• Sugarcane landscape. On the roads around town, the cane fields and mills show the scale of Goiás agribusiness.

Why Quirinópolis matters to visitors to Lagoa Santa

• Hospital and services. The regional reference on the Goiás side for more complex care. For emergencies in Lagoa Santa, the HPS is on (64) 3640-1267; see Useful phone numbers.
• Shops. Car parts, fishing gear, electronics, well-stocked pharmacies and banks.
• Route. Quirinópolis is in southwestern Goiás, between Goiânia and the Lagoa Santa region; depending on the route chosen from Goiânia, it can be a stopover. The main route, however, goes through Rio Verde, Caçu, Itarumã and Itajá; see From Goiânia.
• Regional offices. State and federal agencies based in the micro-region are usually in Quirinópolis; confirm with the Lagoa Santa City Hall, (64) 3640-1303, which office serves the town.

How to get from Lagoa Santa to Quirinópolis

The distance is approximately 150 km, leaving Lagoa Santa on the GO-302 to Itajá and continuing on the state highways of southwestern Goiás toward the northeast. The trip takes around two and a half hours, depending on the state of the roads; check the route on your GPS. Fill up in Itajá. There is no direct bus line from Lagoa Santa; from Itajá, ask at the bus station about connections.