Chapada dos Guimarães

A sandstone plateau northeast of Cuiabá, where Véu de Noiva Falls pours over red cliffs, and the waterfall loop, Stone City, and the South American Geodesic Center viewpoint each have their own charm.

Chapada dos Guimarães lies about 65 km northeast of Cuiabá, the capital of Mato Grosso state in central Brazil. It is a red sandstone tableland rising from the cerrado grasslands, at roughly 600–800 m elevation, hundreds of meters above the Cuiabá plain, with steep cliff edges. Chapada dos Guimarães National Park, established in 1989, protects waterfalls, canyons, sandstone rock formations, and caves. The town of the same name on the eastern side of the plateau is where most visitors stay, and the colonial-era Santa Ana Church stands beside the central square.

Highlights by area:

① National park core (both sides of MT-251): Véu de Noiva Falls viewpoint, the waterfall loop, Hell's Gate Cliff, Salgadeira swimming area, and Stone City in the northwest, which requires a guide.

② Around the town: Santa Ana Church, Morro dos Ventos and the South American Geodesic Center viewpoint, and Céu Alto viewpoint, where you can watch the plain at sunset.

③ About 45 km southeast: Aroe Jari Cave, Lagoa Azul Cave, and Martinha Falls.

④ About 55 km north: Lake Manso.

Seasons: the dry season, May–Sep, has clear skies and dry trails, making it the best time to visit. The rainy season, Oct–Apr, brings strong flows to the waterfalls, but afternoon thunderstorms are common, and some caves and trails may close. Days are hot all year, so protect yourself from the sun and stay hydrated.

Transport and tips: from Cuiabá airport, drive or take a long-distance bus for about 1 hour to the town. Some national park trails, including the waterfall loop and Stone City, require a licensed guide and advance booking. Aroe Jari Cave is on private farmland and also requires a guide. The sights are spread out, so local agencies can arrange one-day 4×4 tours. Plan to stay 2–3 days, and you can combine the trip with a Pantanal wetlands itinerary.

Top sights

• Véu de Noiva Waterfall – A waterfall plunging from red sandstone cliffs about 86 meters high. It is the emblem of the national park and the entire plateau.
• Circuito das Cachoeiras – A classic trail in the national park linking seven or eight waterfalls and natural swimming pools. It covers about 6 km, and you can stop t…
• Cidade de Pedra – Sandstone cliffs and wind-weathered pillars rising about 350 meters form a 'stone city' overlooking deep valleys and winding rivers.
• Mirante do Centro Geodésico – A cliff-edge lookout on the plateau, billed as the geographic center of mainland South America, with views over the Cuiabá plain.
• Aroe Jari Cave & Lagoa Azul – One of Brazil's largest sandstone caves, about 1,500 m long. The clear blue water of Lagoa Azul sits in a cave nearby.
• Morro de São Jerônimo – A table mountain and one of the highest points in the national park. From the top you can look over the plateau cliffs and the Cuiabá plain…
• Igreja de Sant'Ana – A colonial-era church completed in 1779, one of the oldest churches in Mato Grosso state, beside the town's central square.
• Portão do Inferno – A deep valley with cliffs along which the MT-251 highway runs. From the roadside you can look down nearly 100 m of sheer cliffs.
• Salgadeira – A waterfall swimming area at the foot of the plateau cliffs, with a restaurant and trails. It has long been a favourite weekend cool-down s…
• Morro dos Ventos – A viewpoint platform and restaurant on the cliff edge south of town, overlooking deep valleys, distant waterfalls and sunsets over the Cuia…
• Mirante Alto do Céu – A less-visited cliff lookout on the southwestern edge of the plateau, with views of Serra de São Jerônimo, the plateau cliffs and the plain…
• Cachoeira da Martinha – A wide stepped waterfall and swimming pools on the Cascalheira River, a swimming spot in the eastern part of the plateau.
• Lago do Manso – A large reservoir formed by the Manso hydroelectric dam, with holiday homes along its shores and activities such as fishing and boating.

Where to eat

• Morro dos Ventos Restaurant – A cliff-edge lunch restaurant with views over the Pantanal plain, serving traditional Mato Grosso dishes.
• Penhasco Restaurant – A clifftop buffet restaurant in the Pousada Penhasco, with a 200-metre viewing deck, known for local river fish prepare…
• Restaurante Popular – An affordable buffet restaurant in the town center, famous for its grilled skewers, open for lunch and dinner, with mea…