Nobres is the secret the people of Mato Grosso try to keep: rivers of absurd transparency, floats among shoals of fish, a blue waterfall and a sunset with macaws flying home — all less than two hours from Cuiabá and at prices that feel like Bonito ten years ago. The tours are based in the district of Bom Jardim, and this guide shows how to build the trip: attractions, fixed 2026 prices and the full logistics.
Where it is and how to get there
Bom Jardim is 144 km from Cuiabá (1h50 by car, on a good road). Renting a car is the way to do it — there is no public transport to the attractions, which are spread over a 30 km radius around the district. You can even chain it with the Chapada dos Guimarães and the Pantanal on the same trip: the golden triangle of ecotourism in Mato Grosso.
The tours and what they cost (2026)
| Tour | Price | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Aquário Encantado | R$ 130 | A spring 6 m deep with total visibility, full of piraputanga — the signature float of Nobres |
| Reino Encantado | R$ 130 | Floating over 600 bubbling sand springs where the Rio Salobra is born |
| Rio Triste | R$ 130 | A 1,200 m float through gardens of aquatic plants |
| Duto do Quebó (river tubing) | R$ 120 | 1,800 m of tubing along a river that runs through a cave duct |
| Cachoeira Serra Azul | R$ 90 (R$ 130 with zipline) | A 45 m fall with a turquoise pool to swim in |
| Lagoa das Araras | R$ 30 | Blue-and-yellow and red macaws flying in at sunset among the buriti palms |
When to go
As with every crystal-clear river in central Brazil, the rule is the dry season: May to September has the best visibility. In the rains (December to March) the rivers can cloud over for a few days after storms — if you travel then, put the floats at the start of the trip and keep a waterfall as a plan B.
What the trip costs
Guesthouses in Bom Jardim run from R$ 150 to R$ 350 a double, meals from R$ 40 to R$ 80. Two full days with three tours plus the Lagoa das Araras come to R$ 900 to R$ 1,600 per person (excluding the flight to Cuiabá) — one of the best value-for-money crystal-water trips in Brazil. The inevitable comparison with the famous neighbor is in Nobres or Bonito: which to choose, and the ideal day-by-day is in the 2-day Nobres itinerary.
Ecotourist tips
- Sunscreen and insect repellent go on AFTER the water — the rule that protects the springs applies here exactly as it does in Bonito.
- Do not touch the riverbed or the aquatic plants: the scenery that enchanted you is an ecosystem, not an aquarium.
- At the Lagoa das Araras, keep quiet at dusk: the fly-in is the sacred moment of the day — and it belongs to the macaws.
- Hire guides from Bom Jardim: the local community is what keeps the rivers clean and the prices fair.
🥾 Who is it for?
Effort: light — gentle floats and river beaches; Nobres is contemplation underwater. Children: from age 5 on the floats with a life jacket; the Balneário Estivado is shallow and perfect for the youngest. Older travelers and people with reduced mobility: very workable — river entries have steps and support staff; tell the agency so they prioritise the attractions with fewer stairs.