Are you in Cuiabá with a free day — a stopover before the Pantanal, a work trip, a long connection? The Chapada dos Guimarães is only 60 km away (an hour by car) and delivers one of the most spectacular day trips in Brazil. This practical plan shows what fits into a day, and what does not, hour by hour. For the full immersion, see the complete Chapada dos Guimarães guide.
The plan, hour by hour
- 7.00am — Leave Cuiabá (rent a car or book a transfer/tour for ~R$ 150-250; the MT-251 climbs the escarpment with viewpoints along the way).
- 8.15am — Portão do Inferno and the roadside viewpoints: quick photo stops on the cliff.
- 9.00am — National park (free): the Véu de Noiva viewpoint — an 86 m fall, red macaws and the postcard of Mato Grosso.
- 10.00am — Circuito das Cachoeiras (entry until midday, limited places): 6 km with swims at Cachoeirinha and Andorinhas. Lighter option: viewpoints plus a swim at Cachoeirinha only.
- 1.30pm — Lunch in the little town: a Pantanal-style buffet or the famous rice cake with mountain coffee (R$ 40-80).
- 3.00pm — Centro Geodésico viewpoint (the “center of South America”) and Morro dos Ventos (R$ 25): the whole valley in the frame.
- 5.00pm — Sunset at Alto do Céu (R$ 50), or back to Portão do Inferno for golden light on the cliffs.
- 7.30pm — Back in Cuiabá for dinner.
What does NOT fit into a day trip
The Aroe Jari cave (a full day, ~R$ 265 plus guide) and Cidade de Pedra (half a day by 4×4, ~R$ 1,000 per vehicle) need an overnight stay — they are the perfect argument for turning the day trip into 2-3 days next time. And if the trip carries on to the safari, the timing is ideal: the Chapada is the perfect eve of the Pantanal, with heat and road acclimatisation thrown in.
What the day costs (per person)
| Item | Price (2026) |
|---|---|
| Rental car and fuel (split between two) | R$ 120 – R$ 200 |
| National park | Free |
| Paid viewpoints (Morro dos Ventos plus Alto do Céu) | R$ 75 |
| Lunch and snacks | R$ 60 – R$ 110 |
| Total | R$ 255 – R$ 385 |
Three ecotourist warnings
- The Circuito das Cachoeiras closes its entrance at midday — if swimming under a waterfall is the priority, it comes BEFORE the viewpoints.
- In the rainy season (October to March), check the condition of the MT-251 and avoid the pools after storms.
- Bring water and a hat: the cerrado sun on an open viewpoint takes no prisoners.
🥾 Who is it for?
Effort: light — the classic day trip is done by car with stops at viewpoints. Children: perfect at any age; bring snacks, the restaurants are concentrated in town. Older travelers and people with reduced mobility: an ideal itinerary — little walking, a lot of landscape; just check the uneven ground at Cidade de Pedra.