The Senador Petronio Portella Airport stands in the northern suburbs of the city of Teresina in northeast Brazil. Senator Petronio is a former Mayor of Teresina, a city that is capital of the Brazilian state of Piauí but stands right on its border with the neighbouring state of Maranhão. If you hire a car at Petronio Portella Airport you can easily drive between the city areas in both states and on both sides of the Rio Parnaíba that forms the border here. You'll find that the airport stands on flat land between the Parnaiba and its tributary, Rio Poti and is surrounded by a densely populated grid of urban housing.
If hire a car from Senador Petronio Portella Airport you can head south to the centre of Teresina or west to cross the Parnaíba to what is called Timon, but is essentially the same city. In the centre of Teresina you'll find the main tourist attraction: the Central de Artesanato. This is an area of shops selling different arts and craft pieces from the region. There's everything from colourful hammocks to sculptures. There's a relaxed atmosphere, after all Teresina is Brazil's hottest city. In the Jóquei district to the east you'll find the liveliest restaurants and the best shopping. To the west you'll find museums and churches.
