On the border of Mato Grosso with Goiás, where the Rio Araguaia meets the Garças, an 800 km wall of reddened cliffs begins and climbs towards the heart of the Xingu: the Serra do Roncador. The gateway is Barra do Garças — a town that mixes river beaches, dozens of waterfalls, thermal springs and a mystical reputation that draws seekers from all over the world. A complete guide for the ecotourist exploring the region.
Where it is and how to get there
Barra do Garças is 520 km from Cuiabá and 377 km from Goiânia (the most common route), with a regional airport. It is a proper town — 60,000 inhabitants, a good network of hotels (R$ 120-300) and restaurants serving Araguaia river fish. A car is essential: the attractions are scattered across the range and the surrounding farms.
What to do
| Attraction | Price (2026) | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Parque Estadual da Serra Azul | Free | Trails, the Cristo viewpoint with a view over three towns, and the Pé da Serra waterfall |
| Parque das Águas Quentes | ~R$ 10 | Natural thermal pools from 31°C to 43°C |
| Farm waterfalls (Cachoeira Azul, Canyon do Cipó…) | R$ 10 – R$ 40 each | Dozens of falls and turquoise pools in the range |
| Araguaia beaches (dry season) | Free | Sandbanks in the river, a July tradition |
| Porto do Bael / range viewpoints | Free | Sunset over the meeting of the rivers |
When to go
May to September: clear pools, firm trails and the Araguaia beaches emerging from the river (July is party season in the region). In the rains the waterfalls double in volume, but the pools cloud over and the dirt roads punish.
And that mysticism?
Flying saucers, energy portals, Colonel Fawcett’s lost expedition: the Roncador carries decades of legend — the town even has a “flying saucer port”. We take seriously the duty of telling that story properly (and explaining what science says) in the mysticism of the Serra do Roncador. Spoiler: you can be a sceptic and still get goosebumps under that starry sky.
Route bonus: anyone coming from Goiânia can add the Parque Nacional das Emas; anyone heading on to Cuiabá has Chapada dos Guimarães and the Pantanal along the way.
🥾 Who is it for?
Effort: moderate — long dirt roads and cerrado trails out to waterfalls and viewpoints. Children: from age 8, for children used to rough travel. Older travelers and people with reduced mobility: the great scenery is visible from viewpoints close to the car, but the rough edges of the region call for an honest assessment of the group’s stamina.