There is a place in Tocantins where the Amazon rainforest stretches out its fingers to touch the cerrado — and in the middle of that handshake an inland delta is born, with more than 830 lagoons. Parque Estadual do Cantão, on the border with Pará, is one of the richest ecosystems in central Brazil: 90,000 hectares embraced by the Araguaia, do Coco and Javaés rivers.
Getting there
The base is Caseara, a little riverside town 260 km from Palmas on a paved road (about 3h30 by car). Simple, comfortable guesthouses serve visitors well, and the park’s authorized operators organize the boat trips — the only way to genuinely explore the labyrinth of lagoons.
A boat safari
Navigating the Cantão is an aquatic safari: caimans sunning themselves on the banks, Araguaian river dolphins (a species only described in 2014!) escorting the boat, giant otters fishing in noisy groups and, on the margins, jaguar tracks. In the water, giants such as the pirarucu; in the sky, almost 500 bird species already recorded — a paradise for birdwatching, especially in the rainy season. We cover the best wildlife experiences in the article on the Cantão wildlife safari.
Beach season on the Araguaia
In the dry season (June to September), the Araguaia drops and reveals white sand beaches that are a regional institution: in July, Caseara turns into a resort, with beach shacks, music and whole families camped on the riverbank. It is the face of summer in central Brazil — and a great “gentle” way into the park.
When to go
Two seasons, two parks: July is beaches, a calm river and blue sky; December to March is the flooded Cantão, with the lagoons full, migratory birds and canoe trips inside the inundated forest — the photographers’ favorite. Boat trips cost from R$ 150-300 per person depending on the length.
🥾 Who is it for?
Effort: easy — the park is visited by boat, seated and with binoculars in hand; the optional dry-land trails are short and flat (easy to moderate). Children: excellent from ages 5-6, with a buoyancy aid compulsory on the boat; the beach season suits all ages. Seniors and reduced mobility: very suitable — simple boarding from Caseara and contemplative outings; tell the operator so they can choose the boat with the best access. It is one of the most inclusive nature destinations in the North.
