Get to know the treasure that Mato Grosso does not hide with ecotourism, waterfalls and lagoons

Malu Dacio – from Cenarium Magazine

MANAUS – Mato Grosso is a true treasure of Brazil. The state is the only one in the country that gathers in its territory three biomes: Pantanal, Cerrado and Amazônia. Being also the 3rd largest Brazilian state in area, there is a lot of space to get to know and explore. There are so many characteristics that CENARIUM MAGAZINE listed three places on land and water that you need to know in Mato Grosso.

Chapada dos Guimarães

Our list couldn’t start any other way than Chapada dos Guimarães. A beautiful place full of natural beauty, rich in native flora and fauna. No wonder it is one of the most visited in the state. Located 70 kilometers from Cuiabá, the trip starts on the road that reserves beautiful views in about an hour’s drive.

The trip can be made by car or bus and the destination reserves breathtaking rivers, caves and waterfalls. The National Park, named after the town that shelters it, has a wide range of outdoor activities. The place is a Unesco World Heritage Site.

See also: Known for mountain ranges and mountains, Roraima has tourist attractions with natural beauty

You can’t miss going to the plateau without visiting the stone city. There are natural walls that reach more than 300 meters high. But don’t forget to hire a guide. It is not possible to enter the area unaccompanied.

Cuiabá

Speaking of the capital of Mato Grosso, everything in the state starts from its main city: Cuiabá. One of the venues of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, the Pantanal Arena is something you can’t miss if you are a soccer fan.

Another place to get to know a little of the region’s culture is the Morro da Caixa D’água Museum, which has photographic exhibits that reveal how the city’s old water reservoir from the 19th and 20th centuries worked.

Pantanal… in Mato Grosso?

Although it has a small percentage of the biome compared to Mato Grosso do Sul, it is possible to find the Pantanal in the state. In the northern Pantanal it usually rains a lot between December and February. For those who like fishing, there are numerous options of hotels for this purpose. But for those who want to see the animals of our ‘Brazilian savannah’, it is good to bet on the hotels and companies specialized in ecotourism.

When you arrive in Cuiabá, you can go by car or bus to Poconé and take advantage of the many ecotourism hotels. The ideal time to visit is between the months of April and September, when passenger cars are allowed.

In the water, fish!

For those who enjoy the tranquility of good fishing, Mato Grosso is an excellent option. The fishing season in the state starts in February and annually receives about 90 thousand people to practice the sport. The Brazilian Pantanal is one of the main destinations.

Despite the pandemic, the State Tourism Department confirms that Mato Gross has already reopened all of its attractions obeying the biosecurity protocols indicated by the Ministry of Tourism to receive the tourists who wish to visit the state.

Campo Novo do Parecis

Located 400 kilometers from Cuiabá, the town holds a surprise that makes up for the distance of its difficult access. The Chapada dos Parecis surprises and enchants with its emerald green water rivers, besides the rapids.

The destination is also very popular for having a good number of indigenous villages with exclusive tours for tourists. The dry season is the best option for bathing in the crystalline waters of the so-called ‘Brazilian Caribbean’ during the months of May to June.

Primavera do Leste – Blue Lagoon

To get to this beautiful lagoon it is necessary to leave Cuiabá by MT-251, pass through Chapada dos Guimarães, and go to the town of Campo Verde. There is a daily limitation of visitors: 40 people. The lagoon is inside the Onça-Pintada Farm, a private space. Off to Mato Grosso?