Tour By Locals Unforgettable local experiences
The youngest ecotourism destination in Brazil
This destination is already well known for those passionate about ecotourism and adventure tourism in Brazil. Located in the State of Tocantins, the region enchants with its abundant waters, plateaus and saws with savannah climate, as well as the cerrado landscape, with orange dunes, waterfalls, springs and impressive rock formations.
Every year, the number of Brazilians and foreigners who venture to the north of Brazil in search of this, which is already one of the main destinations of ecotourism in the country, grows. Most of the attractions are located in the cities of Mateiros, Novo Acuerdo, Ponte Alta do Tocantins and São Félix do Tocantins. In the midst of 34 thousand km² of arid landscape, the region is cut by an immense web of rivers, streams and streams, all of transparent and drinkable waters.
The attractions guarantee fun all year round, whether in the rainy or dry season, according to the profile and interest of the tourist. For the more adventurous, the region is ideal for sports, including rafting, canoeing, rappelling, and walking and cycling trails.
Among the most sought after attractions are Cachoeira da Velha, a huge horseshoe-shaped waterfall of approximately 100 meters wide and 15 meters high; the Dunes, postcard of the Jalapão, composed by fine and orange sands that reach 40 meters in height; the villages of Mumbuca and Prata, remaining communities of quilombos, whose visitation allows the tourist to experience the local culture; Serra do Espirito Santo, a rock formation where you can appreciate the flora of the region; the Formiga Waterfall, a charming source of emerald green water; and the Fervedouros, with its transparent waters, in which it is impossible to sink.
The concern to preserve this incredible natural wealth is represented by the presence of several conservation instruments, such as the Jalapão State Park, the Parnaíba River National Park; the Serra Geral do Tocantins Ecological Station; the Serra da Tabatinga Environmental Preservation Area (APA); and the Jalapão Environmental Protection Area (APA).
Location and Weather
Jalapão is 300 km from Palmas, capital city of the state of Tocantins with borders to the states, Maranhão, Piaui and Bahia. Vegetation is a mixture of scrubland and savanna, with rivers, waterfalls and plateaus. The climate is warm/hot (about 30ºC during the day, cooling to around 18ºC at night). Jalapão occupies an area of 34 thousand kilometers, involving eight counties (Lagoa do Tocantins, Novo Acordo, Lizarda, Mateiros, Ponte Alta do Tocantins, Santa Tereza do Tocantins and São Félix do Tocantins).
The location has two options for access from Palmas. One is through highway TO 255, until Ponte Alta do Tocantins. The other, is through TO-020, which connects Novo Acordo to Palmas, 108 kilometers away. Click here for a detailed map.
Getting there
Although you can do it in a normal car, it is advisable to take a 4×4 car. To go to the main attractions, except for the dunes which are accessed by a soft sand road, it is a dirt road of such a hard gravel that the stones may hole the tire of your car. If you leave the main road, then you’ll stall with a normal car. Gas stations are rare, but at each 200km you will find one. It’s expensive, but it is dangerous to carry gasoline and very annoying also. Here goes the right tip: fill the tank at the cities of Ponte Alta do Tocantins, Mateiros, São Felix and Novo Acordo.
Jalapão is kind of an oval circuit of approximately 500km. For not getting lost, keep on the road with electric light posts. Only leave this road to go to the attractions of the place. There is no mistake. If you’re going by car, make a good check up on it, because if it wrecks, you’re in trouble….. The place is absolutely empty. The road connects nothing to nowhere, and there, 100km is considered a short distance for anything. If you do not want to drive yourself, you can always enjoy an organised trip. Various travel agencies offer 4×4 trips. Some even have adapted trucks with seats on top, just like tourist buses in London or Rome.
What to take to Jalapão
If you are not taking part in any of our expeditions to Jalapão, then e advise you to take some water and food as a guarantee. Take along plenty of water, a flashlight with extra batteries, sun screen and mosquito repellent, and a good First Aid kit. Also take your swimming goggles. The latter, you will really enjoy having one with you during this trip. Other than that, Jalapão is a sunny destination, so don’t forget your swimwear.
Accommodation
There are simple bedrooms or lodgings in the cities of Ponte Alta, Mateiros, São Felix and Novo Acordo or in the middle of nothing, like the Lodging of Jalapão, that is between Ponte Alta do Tocantins and Mateiros. There are simple restaurants in Ponte Alta, Mateiros, São Felix and Novo Acordo. You won’t feel at Club Med, but Jalapão has some decent accommodations. You can find some suggestions on our Accommodations section.
When to go
Although the area can be visited all year round, the people from Tocantins agree that it is best visited during the dry season (Jun-Sep). Rainfall does not make the trip more difficult, although it can make some of the fevedouro crystal waters a little bit turbid. The average temperature is 30°C or 86°F.
