Cachoeira do Formiga

Northern Brazil holds a range of natural areas and historical sites away from the usual tourist paths. The region stretches from the Amazon basin to the wide plateaus of the Cerrado, offering waterfalls, clear springs, sand dunes, canyons, and caves. Protected areas such as Jalapão State Park and Anavilhanas National Park shelter rare animals and native plants. Rivers wind through dense forests, and in some springs, mineral-rich water pushes swimmers to the surface. The landscape shifts between tropical rainforest, open grasslands, and rock formations shaped over thousands of years. Notable places include the golden sand dunes of Jalapão, the tall waterfalls of Cachoeira da Velha and Cachoeira do Lajeado, and the natural pools known as fervedouros, where visitors can float effortlessly. Pedra Furada, a natural stone arch, and Canyon Encantado show the geological variety of the region. Ilha do Bananal, one of the largest river islands in the world, sits in the Araguaia River and provides habitat for many bird species. Further north, the Amazon rainforest spreads out with its branching rivers and islands. The colonial Fort Príncipe da Beira, built in the 18th century, recalls early European settlement. In Natividade, the small church of Nossa Senhora do Rosário stands as a modest example of colonial architecture. These places combine nature and history, inviting travelers to discover a less familiar side of Brazil.

The central west region of Brazil encompasses states including Goiás, Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul. These areas contain national parks with hiking trails, waterfalls and cave systems. Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park near Alto Paraíso de Goiás displays cerrado vegetation and rock formations. Bonito offers clear rivers for snorkeling, while Pirenópolis combines colonial architecture with nearby nature reserves. Terra Ronca State Park contains underground rivers and limestone caves. The Pantanal area spans Mato Grosso and hosts various wildlife species. Chapada dos Guimarães near Cuiabá shows sandstone formations and viewpoints over the surrounding plains. The Jalapão region in Tocantins features dune landscapes and natural springs. These locations draw hikers, cave explorers and travelers looking to experience remote natural areas.

Brazil has numerous waterfalls and hot springs across its varied landscapes. At Iguaçu, water flows over 275 individual falls. The Chapada Diamantina region contains several waterfalls, including the 1,247-foot (380-meter) Cachoeira da Fumaça. Serra da Canastra is home to the 610-foot (186-meter) Casca d'Anta waterfall. Natural pools with clear water are found at Poço Azul and Lagoa Azul. The thermal springs at Ibirá provide mineral water at constant temperature. These locations are distributed across different regions of Brazil, from the southern Serra Gaúcha with Caracol cascade to the tablelands of Jalapão in the north. The waterfalls vary in height and volume. Some plunge over steep rock faces, while others flow through narrow canyons. Several of these sites are located in national parks or protected areas.