Two days are enough for the essentials of Nobres — and it is exactly that compactness that makes it the perfect add-on to a trip to Cuiabá, the Pantanal or the Chapada dos Guimarães. This lean itinerary puts the tours in the right order, with times and costs. The detail on each attraction is in the complete Nobres guide.
Day 1 — Arrival, snorkeling and the fly-in
- 7.00am — Leave Cuiabá (144 km, 1h50). Big breakfast: it is a full day.
- 9.30am — Aquário Encantado (R$ 130): the spring with infinite visibility, to break in the mask. Water at 28°C all year.
- 12.30pm — Home-cooked lunch in Bom Jardim (R$ 40-60) and check-in at the guesthouse.
- 2.30pm — Duto do Quebó (R$ 120): 1,800 m of river tubing including a cave crossing — the gentle adrenaline of the itinerary.
- 5.00pm — Lagoa das Araras (R$ 30): blue-and-yellow macaws returning to the buriti palms at sunset. Arrive 40 minutes early, sit down and keep quiet: it is the grand finale of the day.
Day 2 — Blue waterfall and the road back
- 8.30am — Cachoeira Serra Azul (R$ 90): a 45 m fall with a turquoise pool. The brave go down by zipline (R$ 130 in the combo); the contemplative take the trail with viewpoints.
- 12.00pm — Lunch and, if you still have the energy, Reino Encantado (R$ 130) for a second float — the 600 springs bubbling sand are a different spectacle from the Aquário.
- 3.30pm — Road back to Cuiabá (or on to the Chapada dos Guimarães, 2h30 away, to start the next chapter).
What the itinerary costs (per person)
| Item | Price (2026) |
|---|---|
| Rental car for 2 days plus fuel (split between two) | R$ 250 – R$ 400 |
| Tours (Aquário, Quebó, Lagoa, Serra Azul) | R$ 370 – R$ 500 |
| Guesthouse, 1 night (double, split) | R$ 75 – R$ 175 |
| Food | R$ 120 – R$ 200 |
| Total | R$ 815 – R$ 1,275 |
Not sure whether it beats its famous sibling in Mato Grosso do Sul? The full head-to-head is in Nobres or Bonito.
When to do this itinerary
Best period: May to September — the rivers are at their most transparent for snorkeling. Also works in: the start and end of the rainy season, with a bit of luck on clear water. Careful in: October to April — rain can cloud the rivers and complicate the dirt access roads. Why: floating in Nobres is about visibility, and the crystal water of the dry season is exactly what you came for. (Seasonality checked in August 2026.)
🥾 Who is it for?
Effort: light — two unhurried days of floats and river beaches. Children: the itinerary works from age 5; alternate snorkeling mornings with river-beach afternoons. Older travelers and people with reduced mobility: an adaptable itinerary — keep the Aquário Encantado and the Estivado, the easiest of them.