Discover Chapada Dos Guimarães

Chapada Dos Guimarães combines a distinctive cultural landmark in town with natural attractions in the municipality. Igreja Nossa Senhora de Santana and local handicrafts offer a different experience from the sandstone landscapes and waterfall trails in Parque Nacional da Chapada dos Guimarães. You can plan your stay around what interests you most: local history, landscapes, or self-guided trails.

Church and handicrafts in town

Igreja Nossa Senhora de Santana was declared a protected monument because of its cultural significance. It is considered the last surviving example of Baroque architecture in the state of Mato Grosso and retains its original appearance from 1779 despite the absence of its two original towers. The church is therefore a specific highlight for travelers interested in architecture and regional history as well as nature.

Polychrome wood carvings can be found on the main altar, the triumphal arch, the church nave’s two side altars, and the entrance wall. They are distributed across several distinct areas of the church. For culturally minded travelers, the special appeal lies not only in its Baroque style but also in this varied artistic design.

Local handicrafts are also part of the townscape: they are displayed for residents and tourists in a public square from Tuesday to Sunday. If you would like to include this exhibition in your day’s plans, confirm the schedule locally before your trip.

Rocky landscapes and Cerrado in the municipality

Cidade de Pedra lies on the edge of the Planalto dos Guimarães and offers views of sandstone walls, ruiniform landforms, and veredas. Parque Nacional da Chapada dos Guimarães is located in the municipalities of Cuiabá and Chapada dos Guimarães. It protects significant areas of local ecosystems and archaeological sites, as well as ten different types of Cerrado vegetation. The views at Cidade de Pedra and the protection of ecosystems represent different aspects of the municipality’s landscape.

Compare waterfall trails by length and difficulty

In the national park, the trail to the Cachoeira Véu de Noiva viewpoint is about 1.2 km long in total. It can be hiked without a guide and is rated easy. The Circuito das Cachoeiras follows the Córrego Independência past four waterfalls and a natural pool where swimming is permitted. The trail is about 4.6 km long, can be hiked without a guide, and is rated moderate. The trail at Cachoeirinha e Cachoeira dos Namorados is around 3 km long in total; it is also unguided and easy. Swimming is possible at one of the waterfalls.

The trail lengths provide a practical guide for planning your day: the trail to the viewpoint is the shortest, while the Circuito das Cachoeiras is the longest of the three routes described. At about 3 km, Cachoeirinha e Cachoeira dos Namorados falls in between. The difficulty ratings also vary: the two shorter trails are easy, while the Circuito is moderate. You can weigh length, difficulty, and whether you want to swim, rather than treating the excursions as interchangeable waterfall destinations.

Access to the Cachoeira Véu de Noiva area is available from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; visitors must leave by 5:00 p.m. As the schedule may change, check the times before your visit. You should also check the current rules on access and swimming before setting out on the relevant excursions.

Getting there and finding a holiday apartment

From Chapada Dos Guimarães, access to the main entrance of Parque Nacional da Chapada dos Guimarães is via MT-251 toward Cuiabá. The bus station in town is about 12 km away along this road, a drive of around 15 minutes; traffic and road conditions can affect the journey time.

When looking for a holiday apartment, it helps to distinguish between cultural attractions in town and nature destinations in the municipality: consider what you want to focus on during your trip and how you plan your days in the park. The journey time from the bus station gives you a practical planning estimate; for nature excursions, factor in the respective trail lengths and visiting hours as well.

More destinations

Discover more destinations: Barão De Melgaço, Cabeceira Bento Gomes, Lagoa, Pontes E Lacerda, Santo Antônio Do Leverger, Barra Do Bugres, Barra Do Aricá, Ribeirão das Pedras.

Go to the main travel overview: Mato Grosso.