Located in the state of Mato Grosso, Chapada dos Guimarães National Park is a true natural sanctuary in the heart of Brésil. With its impressive red cliffs, crystal-clear waterfalls, vast forests and exceptional wildlife, this place offers an authentic and unforgettable experience. Between wild trails and breathtaking vistas, the park invites total immersion in a spectacular and pristine landscape, symbolizing the ecological richness of central-southern Brésil.

Park Characteristics

Chapada dos Guimarães National Park covers a vast area of approximately 33,000 hectares. This remarkable territory is part of the Cerrado biome, the Brazilian savanna, and sits at the frontier between the Paraguay and Amazon river basins. It notably protects the sources of the Rio Cuiaba, the main tributary of the Pantanal.

The park stands out for its rugged terrain where impressive red sandstone cliffs rise between 600 to 800 meters in altitude, along with a multitude of exceptional waterfalls. This geography offers varied landscapes blending mountains, verdant valleys, open plains and cave networks, some of which shelter major archaeological remains. More than forty sites adorned with rock paintings, inscriptions and fossils testify to a rich prehistoric history, making the park a true natural and cultural treasure.

Chapada dos Guimarães National Park is also recognized for its mystical character, with local legends evoking sightings of gnomes, fairies or UFOs. The geographical center of South America, marked by an obelisk, is located near the park, close to the panoramic viewpoint of Mirante de Geodesia. Furthermore, the park is inscribed within the Pantanal Biosphere Reserve, alongside other national parks.

Moreover, although Chapada dos Guimarães National Park has no on-site accommodation, visitors can stay in the nearby towns of Cuiabá or Chapada dos Guimarães. This facilitates the discovery of this Brazilian natural jewel, where nature, history and mystery combine to offer a unique experience.

Park History

Situated on a plateau formed approximately 15 million years ago, at an altitude reaching 900 meters, the territory of Chapada dos Guimarães National Park constitutes the geological heart of South America. Its formation results from the break between the Brazilian plateau and the vast Pantanal depression, giving rise to a magnificent landscape of sheer cliffs, varied waterfalls and picturesque trails.

The initiative to create the park dates back to September 13, 1910, when Colonel Pedro Celestino Corrêa da Costa, then vice-president of Mato Grosso, became aware of the alarming degradation of vegetation at the sources of the Coxipo-açu, Manso and Cuiabá rivers. He declared the area of public utility in order to protect it. However, it was not until the 1980s that protection of this region gained new momentum.

Indeed, in 1984, a collective of ecologists, artists and intellectuals from the state strongly opposed a government project for a tourist complex planned nearby, launching a petition to safeguard the site. Two years later, in February 1986, several NGOs led a national campaign calling on President José Sarney to create a national park. Their mobilization finally succeeded on April 12, 1989 with the official creation of Chapada dos Guimarães National Park.

The park was thus designed to preserve a representative sample of local ecosystems, while ensuring the protection of natural and archaeological sites, with management promoting visiting, educational and research activities.

A Unique Ecosystem

Chapada dos Guimarães National Park is a sort of tropical savanna, often overshadowed by the fame of neighboring the Amazon. Yet it harbors remarkable and exceptional biodiversity. Here, a mosaic of habitats coexists, blending gallery forests, open fields and red sandstone cliffs, offering refuge to varied and rich wildlife.

Visitors can observe more than 250 bird species, several of which are rare and emblematic, such as:

• The Greater Rhea
• The King Vulture
• The Red-legged Seriema
• The Bat Falcon
• Lafresnaye's Macaw
• The Horned Parakeet
• Various Macaws—red, green and blue-winged

Other fascinating birds, such as the Tropical Screech-Owl, the White-collared Swift or the Black-and-white Hawk-Eagle, enrich this unique ornithological tableau.

Animal diversity does not stop there: the park is home to an impressive fauna, composed of emblematic mammals such as:

• The Jaguar
• The Puma
• The Maned Wolf
• The Tapir
• The Giant Anteater
• The Giant Armadillo
• The Pampas Deer
• The Howler Monkey
• The Kodkod

More discreet but equally fascinating species, such as the Red-legged Seriema and the Spectacled Caiman, complete this teeming ecosystem.

Moreover, vegetation typical of the Cerrado is characterized by low and gnarled trees, such as the pequi and ipê, as well as its colorful flowers. While dry savanna dominates, there are also humid gallery forests and plains, creating a diversity of environments that fosters the region's ecological richness.

What to See in the Park?

Among the park's remarkable sites is the Cidade de Pedra, a natural labyrinth of rocks shaped to evoke the ruins of an ancient city. The region also houses the Caverna Aroe Jari, one of Brazil's largest sandstone caves, accessible by guided hike. Some hikes require a 4x4 and advance reservation, particularly to access the Gouffre de Jabuti, a site favored by speleologists. The Mirante Geodésico, considered the geographical center of South America, offers a 360° panoramic view of the surrounding region, revealing the immensity and diversity of the landscape.

Watercourses have carved the cliffs, forming a multitude of waterfalls among which the Véu de Noiva ("Bridal Veil") is the most famous. The park has in total more than a dozen waterfalls, accessible by marked trails suited to hikers of all levels. The most popular excursion, the Waterfall Circuit, extends about 6 km and allows visitors to discover seven exceptional falls, always in the company of an authorized guide.

Morro dos Ventos is one of the most prized viewpoints, offering a spectacular panorama over the valley, the Pantanal wetlands and the city of Cuiaba. Along the trails, nature lovers can admire varied landscapes, witnesses to a natural work patiently sculpted by wind and rain.

When to Visit?

The climate in Chapada dos Guimarães National Park is tropical, marked by a dry season from May to September and a rainy season from October to April. Temperatures generally oscillate between 12 and 30°C, with an annual average around 24°C.

The dry season is the most recommended period to visit the park, as trails are then more accessible and safe, perfect for hikes to popular sites. Conversely, the rainy season, although more challenging for travel due to muddy and slippery paths, offers more impressive waterfalls thanks to increased water volume.

Despite these variable conditions, the park remains open year-round, allowing each visitor to discover unique landscapes, whether under dry sun or abundant rain.

Chapada dos Guimarães National Park extends across the municipalities of Cuiabá and Chapada dos Guimarães, with main access via the Emanuel Pinheiro road—MT 251, which crosses much of the park. From Cuiabá, the main entrance is located approximately 50 km away, while from the town of Chapada dos Guimarães, it is just 11 km away.

For those without a vehicle, it is possible to take a bus from Cuiabá's bus station to Chapada dos Guimarães, with regular departures roughly every 1.5 hours. However, it is advisable to check schedules and whether the bus stops directly at the park or at Véu de Noiva.

On-site, several parking areas facilitate visits, and jeep safaris accompanied by authorized guides are offered to discover the park in a more immersive way.