đź“ť Episode Summary: In this episode of the GoNOMAD Travel Podcast, Max takes us deep into Brazil’s interior for a road trip to Chapada dos Veadeiros — a wild, luminous UNESCO wonderland of waterfalls, quartz-rich plateaus, and golden savanna skies. From the bureaucratic grid of BrasĂlia to the rolling cerrado, this is Brazil at its most primal and beautiful.
We explore the three key bases — Alto ParaĂso, SĂŁo Jorge, and Cavalcante — each offering a different flavor of adventure, comfort, and access to Brazil’s best waterfalls. You’ll hear practical tips on logistics, car rentals, e-SIMs, and why you should never skip Jardim de Maytrea at sunset. Plus: where to stay, what to eat, and how to hike smart.
Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned trail-hopper, this episode delivers an unvarnished guide to doing Chapada right — no brochure talk, just local knowledge and a few hard-earned lessons.
🌄 Highlights Include:
đź“Ť Locations Mentioned:
🧠Travel Tips:
Find our more about this part of Brazil from the tour operator who helped us write this episode, TripVista360.com, in Brasilia, Brazil. Felipe Santos, is our contact.
Today on Go Nomad, we're heading deep into the heart of Brazil.
Speaker A:Far from the beaches, far from the big cities, and straight into the country's wild, luminous interior.
Speaker A:We're taking a road trip to Chapada dos Verdeiros, a UNESCO wonder that feels like another planet.
Speaker A:A place of ancient plateaus, crystal rich earth and waterfalls so blue they look digitally edited.
Speaker A:If you've ever wanted to see Brazil beyond Rio and the Amazon, this is the trip.
Speaker A:And trust me, it's a trip that stays with you.
Speaker A:Chapada dos Verados sits in the Brazilian highlands where the land rises into flat topped plateaus called chapadas.
Speaker A:These aren't mountains so much as they are giant tables of sandstone weathered over millions of years into dramatic canyons and rolling savannah.
Speaker A:It looks a little bit like Dr. Seuss built it in.
Speaker A:The moment you leave Priscilla and head north, the landscape begins to shift.
Speaker A:The capital's clean geometric lines fade away.
Speaker A:And the cerrado, Brazil's great savanna, opens up in front of you.
Speaker A:Quartz glitters in the dirt.
Speaker A:The sky gets bigger.
Speaker A:The air smells like Pequis fruit and sun, warm grass.
Speaker A:This is why locals call it Brazil's crystal sanctuary.
Speaker A:But before you get lost in the magic, let's talk logistics.
Speaker A:Because Chapada rewards good planning and punishes wishful thinking.
Speaker A:First, you fly into Presilia.
Speaker A:There's no train and the bus won't give you the freedom you need.
Speaker A:Second, rent a car.
Speaker A:And I will say it again, rent a car.
Speaker A:This region is made for road trips.
Speaker A:The best waterfalls, the best trails, and the best sunset spots.
Speaker A:They're all scattered across dirt roads and highway pull offs.
Speaker A:Without wheels, you're stuck.
Speaker A:The main roads, BR020 and GO239, are generally good, but you'll hit the occasional pothole and at night, walk wildlife likes to test your brakes.
Speaker A:Third, get an ESIM before you leave the city.
Speaker A:Signal out here is patchy and you do not want to be navigating a thunderstorm with a GPS that decides to take a nap.
Speaker A:Now let's talk about one of the most iconic spots in the region, Jardim di metria.
Speaker A:About 15 minutes before you reach the little village of San Jorge, the land suddenly opens into a wide, otherworldly field of buriti palms and golden grasslands.
Speaker A:Morro di Bahia, where Whale Hill looms in the distance.
Speaker A:Come at sunset and the light turns everything gold.
Speaker A:Come at sunrise and the mist hangs low over the savannah.
Speaker A:Either way, it's pure magic.
Speaker A:Just be careful pulling off the road.
Speaker A:Drivers don't slow down for anyone and keep your visit respectful.
Speaker A:Many locals consider this a sacred place.
Speaker A:Now let's choose your base because where you stay shapes your entire trip.
Speaker A:You got three options.
Speaker A:Alto Paraiso, San Jorge and Cavalcante.
Speaker A:Each one offers a different version of Chapada.
Speaker A:Alto Paraiso is the comfort hub.
Speaker A:If you want good restaurants, paved streets and yoga studios with reliable WI fi, this is your spot.
Speaker A:It's great for first timers.
Speaker A:Posada in Sia is the boutique favorite.
Speaker A:Posada Pura is sleek and quiet.
Speaker A:And the Hotel Chapada is a simple, solid choice.
Speaker A:Sao Jorge, on the other hand, is for the trail first crowd.
Speaker A:It's a little bohemian village right at the entrance to the national park.
Speaker A:Dirt streets, rustic posadas and a laid back vibe.
Speaker A:If you want to wake up to howler monkeys and hit the trails early, this is where you stay.
Speaker A:Cavalcante is the wild one.
Speaker A:Remote, rough roads, patchy signal and home to some of the most beautiful waterfalls in Brazil, including the legendary Santa Barbara.
Speaker A:If you want off grid adventure, this is your base.
Speaker A:And speaking of waterfalls, here are the highlights.
Speaker A:Lo Quintas is easy, accessible and full of turquoise pools linked by wooden walkways.
Speaker A:Vale da Lua, the Valley of the Moon is a lunar landscape carved by the Rio San Miguel.
Speaker A:It's one of the most unique places in Brazil.
Speaker A:Santa Barbara is the crown jewel.
Speaker A:An electric blue pool tucked deep into Quillambola territory.
Speaker A:You'll need a local guide and yes, it's worth every minute.
Speaker A:Sagredo is remote and freezing in the dry season, but also stunning.
Speaker A:Prada Complex is for those who want fewer crowds and don't mind long dirt roads.
Speaker A:And Jargao the Dragon waterfall is wild, raw and absolutely a go with a guide situation.
Speaker A:After all that hiking, you're going to be hungry.
Speaker A:And Chapada's food scene is a surprise.
Speaker A: rgy in alto Paraiso, Vendidja: Speaker A:It's a part cafe, part organic market.
Speaker A:And their Pao do Cuello is perfect.
Speaker A:That's a bean and beef stew.
Speaker A:Before we wrap up, here's a few tips.
Speaker A:Yes, you'll need travel insurance.
Speaker A:Yes, bring some Brazilian cash.
Speaker A:Yes, an ESIM is essential.
Speaker A:The best time to visit will be May through September.
Speaker A:Santa Barbara without a guide isn't possible.
Speaker A:Bugs and snakes?
Speaker A:Yes, they do exist.
Speaker A:Use repellent.
Speaker A:It's family friendly and absolutely.
Speaker A:With good planning, you'll have the time of your life.
Speaker A:Places like these cerrados are unlike anywhere you've ever seen on Earth, which is reason enough to explore this part of Brazil.
Speaker A:Go, Nomad.
Speaker A:Thanks.
Speaker A:Felipe Santos of TripVista360 who helped us with this report based on his own travels in this part of Brazil.
Speaker A:Contact him if you want to take a trip there.