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Cerrado
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Explore Brazil’s Cerrado through Brasília, highland parks, waterfalls, wildlife, red-earth trails and distinctive inland food traditions.

The Cerrado is Brazil’s vast tropical savanna, occupying a broad belt across the country’s central plateau rather than forming a single administrative state or province. Its landscapes extend through Goiás, the Federal District, much of Minas Gerais, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Tocantins, western Bahia, Maranhão, Piauí and parts of São Paulo and Paraná. For travellers, this immense region is best understood through distinct destinations connected by a shared environment: red-earth roads, grasslands, twisted trees, gallery forests, high plateaux, clear rivers and dramatic waterfalls.
Read more about Cerrado
Brasília provides the most accessible introduction to the Cerrado. Brazil’s modernist capital is surrounded by the biome, with protected areas and trails close to the city, while its monumental architecture expresses the ambition of the national interior. Farther north, Goiás offers the quartzite valleys, waterfalls and highland paths of Chapada dos Veadeiros, centred on towns such as Alto Paraíso de Goiás and Vila de São Jorge. In Tocantins, Jalapão is known for dunes, springs, cerrado vegetation and remote river landscapes, although distances and road conditions make careful planning essential.
The biome also encompasses important landscapes in Minas Gerais and Mato Grosso. Serra da Canastra combines highland grasslands, waterfalls and the headwaters of the São Francisco River, while Chapada dos Guimarães presents sandstone escarpments, caves and viewpoints near Cuiabá. Emas National Park in Goiás preserves wide-open cerrado habitat and distinctive termite mounds, and Grande Sertão Veredas National Park protects a landscape associated with the literary world of João Guimarães Rosa. Each area has its own climate, geology, communities and travel rhythm; the Cerrado should not be approached as a single compact circuit.
The region’s vegetation is adapted to seasonal drought and periodic fire, with deep-rooted plants, flowering shrubs and trees whose thick bark helps them withstand natural burns. It is also one of Brazil’s most important water-producing landscapes: rivers rising here feed major basins including the São Francisco, Paraná and Tocantins-Araguaia systems. Wildlife may include maned wolves, giant anteaters, armadillos, rheas and diverse birdlife, although sightings are never guaranteed and responsible guiding is important.
Cerrado culture reflects Indigenous presence, rural livelihoods, mining histories, cattle country, modern agriculture and rapidly growing inland cities. Goiás is associated with foods based on pequi, a strongly flavoured native fruit, while Minas Gerais contributes cheeses, beans, corn-based dishes and farmhouse cooking to the region’s broad culinary identity. Visitors should allow time for long journeys, seasonal road changes and guided walks, since the appeal lies less in one defining monument than in the relationship between open landscapes, water, geology and the people who live among them.

When is the best time to visit Cerrado?

Best: June–August · 25–26°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January29200
February29180
March29150
April28120
May2660
June (best)2520
July (best)2520
August (best)2620
September2850
October30100
November30150
December29180

Getting to and around Cerrado

How to get there

Because the Cerrado spans much of central Brazil, access depends on the destination selected. Brasília International Airport is the principal gateway for the Federal District and a practical arrival point for parts of Goiás, with domestic connections to major Brazilian cities. Goiânia, Cuiabá, Campo Grande, Palmas, Uberlândia and Montes Claros serve different sectors of the biome, although their usefulness varies by park and road route. Long-distance buses connect many inland cities, while remote areas such as Jalapão and some national parks usually require a hire car, organised tour or transfer from a regional town.

Transportation

Distances are substantial and public transport is uneven outside the larger cities. Brasília, Goiânia and other urban centres have local bus systems and taxis, while intercity buses link principal towns but may not reach trailheads or park entrances. A car is useful in accessible areas of Goiás, Minas Gerais and Mato Grosso, but unpaved roads, corrugations, river crossings and seasonal mud can make a high-clearance vehicle advisable for remote routes. In Jalapão and other dispersed landscapes, guided 4WD travel is often the most practical option. Trails should be explored with local guidance where signage, water and mobile coverage are limited.

Top city travel guides in Cerrado

The cities of Cerrado, and the easiest places to base yourself.

Destinations in Cerrado

Resorts, valleys and scenic spots worth a trip of their own.

Best attractions in Cerrado

The Cerrado’s attractions are dispersed across a large inland territory and are best experienced through its protected landscapes. Chapada dos Veadeiros in Goiás combines quartzite plateaux, deep valleys, swimming holes and waterfalls, while Jalapão in Tocantins offers dunes, springs, rivers and remote tracks that are usually explored by 4WD. Brasília provides a contrasting urban experience, with modernist civic architecture set within native savanna and nature reserves. Serra da Canastra in Minas Gerais is known for highland scenery, waterfalls, river headwaters and opportunities to see cerrado wildlife. Chapada dos Guimarães near Cuiabá presents sandstone cliffs, caves and broad viewpoints, and Emas National Park protects open habitat, termite mounds and a notable variety of birds and mammals. Grande Sertão Veredas National Park introduces visitors to the dry grasslands, gallery forests and river country associated with Brazil’s sertão literature. Across the region, walking, birdwatching, off-road travel, photography and swimming in designated natural pools are more characteristic than dense concentrations of conventional visitor attractions.

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Best landmarks in Cerrado

Brasília’s monumental axis, including the National Congress, the Supreme Federal Court, the Palácio do Planalto and the Metropolitan Cathedral, is the Cerrado’s most recognisable architectural landmark landscape and a defining work of twentieth-century modernism. In Goiás, the quartzite escarpments and high valleys of Chapada dos Veadeiros form a natural landmark system shaped by ancient geology and waterways rather than a single monument. Jalapão’s pale dunes, surrounded by cerrado vegetation, provide one of the region’s most visually distinctive natural scenes, while its spring-fed fervedouros are notable for buoyant water and delicate surrounding vegetation. Serra da Canastra’s high plateau and the Casca d’Anta waterfall mark the dramatic source region of the São Francisco River. Chapada dos Guimarães is distinguished by red sandstone formations, cliffs and the Véu de Noiva waterfall. In the north of Minas Gerais, the landscapes protected by Grande Sertão Veredas carry both geographical importance and a strong literary association with the sertão described by João Guimarães Rosa.

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Explore Cerrado on the map

Plan your trip on one map. See where the top cities, national parks and sights are, and book hotels and experiences in a few clicks.

Best restaurants in Cerrado

Food in the Cerrado reflects the meeting of Indigenous knowledge, rural farming, cattle raising and the cuisines of Goiás, Minas Gerais, Mato Grosso and the Federal District. Pequi is the best-known native ingredient in Goiás and neighbouring areas, commonly used in rice, chicken and sauces; it should be eaten carefully because the fruit contains hard spines around the stone. Baru nuts, manioc, corn, beans, pumpkin and locally produced dairy also appear in regional cooking. Minas Gerais contributes a strong tradition of cheeses, breads, preserves and generous home-style meals, while inland restaurants increasingly reinterpret native fruits and savanna plants. In smaller towns, look for self-service restaurants, bakeries, simple family kitchens and rural inns rather than a concentrated fine-dining scene. Farmers’ markets provide an opportunity to find seasonal produce, sweets and regional cheeses, although availability varies between communities and seasons. Brasília and the larger inland cities offer the widest range of contemporary Brazilian and international dining.

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Best bars in Cerrado

Evening life varies sharply across this enormous region. Brasília has the broadest selection of bars, restaurants, live-music venues and late-night options, with different scenes spread through its planned districts rather than concentrated in one traditional centre. Goiânia is known nationally for a strong music culture and has a substantial choice of bars, concert venues and restaurants, while Cuiabá, Campo Grande and other larger cities provide lively urban evenings without representing the character of the whole Cerrado. In smaller Goiás, Minas Gerais and Tocantins towns, nightlife generally centres on relaxed bars, cafés, square-side socialising, local music and restaurants. Near national parks, evenings are often quiet after trail activities, with pousadas and guide-led groups providing the main social setting. Rural communities may have occasional festivals or dances, but dates and arrangements change, so local advice is more dependable than assuming a permanent club scene.

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Best nightclubs in Cerrado

Evening life varies sharply across this enormous region. Brasília has the broadest selection of bars, restaurants, live-music venues and late-night options, with different scenes spread through its planned districts rather than concentrated in one traditional centre. Goiânia is known nationally for a strong music culture and has a substantial choice of bars, concert venues and restaurants, while Cuiabá, Campo Grande and other larger cities provide lively urban evenings without representing the character of the whole Cerrado. In smaller Goiás, Minas Gerais and Tocantins towns, nightlife generally centres on relaxed bars, cafés, square-side socialising, local music and restaurants. Near national parks, evenings are often quiet after trail activities, with pousadas and guide-led groups providing the main social setting. Rural communities may have occasional festivals or dances, but dates and arrangements change, so local advice is more dependable than assuming a permanent club scene.

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Best shops in Cerrado

Shopping in the Cerrado is usually centred on inland city districts, market halls, high streets and small producers rather than a single region-wide retail tradition. Brasília offers the broadest range of modern shopping centres, specialist shops, galleries and contemporary Brazilian design, while Goiânia has extensive urban retail and a strong market culture. In Goiás and Minas Gerais, smaller towns are good places to seek regional cheeses, sweets, preserves, coffee, ceramics, woven goods and locally made crafts. Markets may also sell baru nuts, pequi products and other seasonal foods, though visitors should check packaging and transport rules before carrying fresh produce across long distances or borders. Near protected areas, purchase crafts and food directly from established community businesses where possible, and avoid products made from protected plants, wildlife or archaeological material. Rural roadside stalls can be rewarding but operate informally, so carry cash and do not assume card payment or consistent opening days.

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Cerrado essentials

Currency and Payment
The currency is the Brazilian real, coded BRL. Cards and contactless payments are widely accepted in Brasília, state capitals, established hotels and larger restaurants, but cash remains useful in small towns, rural accommodation, local markets and remote attractions. Internet connectivity and card terminals can be unreliable in isolated areas, so carry a modest reserve of reais without displaying it unnecessarily. Exchange facilities are more readily available in major cities than near national parks, and foreign visitors should notify their bank before travelling if required for overseas card use.
Safety
Use normal urban precautions in Brasília, Goiânia, Cuiabá and other cities, particularly around transport hubs and after dark. In the countryside, the main risks are often environmental: intense sun, dehydration, sudden storms, slippery rocks, strong river currents, ticks, insects and getting lost on poorly marked trails. Do not swim near waterfalls or springs unless local advice confirms conditions are suitable. Driving at night on rural roads carries additional risks from poor lighting, animals and potholes. In the dry season, smoke and fire can affect travel, while wet-season storms may make unpaved roads impassable.
Emergency Situations
Brazil’s national emergency numbers apply throughout the Cerrado: call 190 for the Military Police, 192 for the SAMU ambulance service and 193 for the Fire Brigade. The Fire Brigade may also coordinate responses to fires and some rescue situations, but remote parks can have limited coverage and lengthy response times. Record the exact name of the park, trail or rural property before setting out, tell accommodation staff about your route and carry offline maps. For serious incidents in isolated areas, contact park authorities, local guides or the nearest municipal emergency service as soon as a signal is available.
Do's and Don'ts
Follow park rules, remain on authorised trails and take all rubbish with you. Do not pick flowers, remove rocks, feed wild animals or enter closed areas, particularly around springs, caves and fire-affected landscapes. Ask before photographing people, homes or community activities, and respect Indigenous and traditional communities without treating their lives as tourist displays. In restaurants, tipping is commonly discretionary and a service charge may appear on the bill; check before paying twice. In rural areas, modest practical clothing, patience with distances and courtesy towards local staff are more useful than assumptions about a single shared regional culture.
Local Tips
Build extra time into journeys between inland towns, since map distances do not reflect road surfaces or stops at park entrances. In Chapada dos Veadeiros, stay close to the chosen trail area rather than assuming every attraction is a short drive from Brasília. For Jalapão, arrange vehicles, guides and accommodation in advance during busy holiday periods. In Minas Gerais and Goiás, ask local eateries about seasonal produce such as pequi and baru, and sample regional cheeses or sweets where they are made. Early starts are valuable for cooler walks, better light and greater comfort on exposed plateaux.
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From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloOi[oy]
GoodbyeTchau[chow]
YesSim[seem]
NoNão[now]
Please/You’re welcomePor favor/De nada[por fah-vor/ji nah-dah]
Thank youObrigado[oh-bree-gah-doo]
Excuse me/SorryDesculpe[des-kool-peh]
How are you?Como você está?[koh-moh voh-seh es-tah]
Fine. And you?Bem. E você?[bang. eh voh-seh]
Do you speak English?Você fala inglês?[voh-seh fah-lah een-gles]
I don't understandNão entendo[now en-ten-doo]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I’d like to see the menu, pleaseEu gostaria de ver o menu, por favor[eh-oo goh-stah-ree-ah jeh veh-ree o men-oo, por fah-vor]
I don’t eat meatEu não como carne[eh-oo now koh-moh kar-nee]
Cheers!Saúde![sah-oo-deh]
I would like to pay, pleaseEu gostaria de pagar, por favor[eh-oo goh-stah-ree-ah jeh pah-gar, por fah-vor]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Socorro![soh-koh-roh]
Go away!Vá embora![vah em-boh-rah]
Call the Police!Chame a Polícia![sha-mee ah poh-lee-siah]
Call a doctor!Chame um médico![sha-mee oom meh-jee-koh]
I’m lostEstou perdido[es-toh pehr-jee-doh]
I’m illEstou doente[es-toh doh-ehn-chee]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I’d like to buy...Eu gostaria de comprar...[eh-oo goh-stah-ree-ah jeh kom-prahr]
I’m just lookingEstou apenas olhando[es-toh ah-peh-nahs oh-lan-doh]
How much is it?Quanto custa?[kwahn-toh koos-tah]
That’s too expensiveIsso é muito caro[ee-so eh mwee-toh kah-roh]
Can you lower the price?Você pode baixar o preço?[voh-seh poh-jee bye-shar o preh-soh]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?Que horas são?[keh oh-ras sah-ooh]
It’s one o’clockÉ uma hora[eh oo-mah oh-rah]
Half past (10)Dez e meia[deh-ees eh meh-yah]
MorningManhã[man-yah]
AfternoonTarde[tahr-jee]
EveningNoite[noy-chee]
YesterdayOntem[on-tem]
TodayHoje[oh-zhee]
TomorrowAmanhã[ah-mahn-yah]
1Um[oom]
2Dois[doyz]
3Três[trehz]
4Quatro[kwah-tro]
5Cinco[seen-koh]
6Seis[says]
7Sete[seh-chee]
8Oito[oy-toh]
9Nove[noh-vee]
10Dez[dehz]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Onde fica um/a...?[on-jee fee-kah oom/ah]
What's the address?Qual é o endereço?[kwahl eh oo en-deh-reh-soo]
Can you show me (on the map)?Você pode me mostrar (no mapa)?[voh-seh poh-jee mee mohs-trar (noh mah-pah)]
When's the next (bus)?Quando é o próximo (ônibus)?[kwan-doh eh oo proh-see-moh (oh-nee-boos)]
A ticket (to ....)Um bilhete (para....)[oom bee-lyeh-chee (pah-rah....)]

History of Cerrado

Indigenous Landscapes Before Colonisation

The Cerrado has been inhabited and shaped by Indigenous peoples for thousands of years. Communities developed detailed knowledge of seasonal water, edible plants, medicinal species, hunting grounds and routes across what can appear to outsiders to be an open, uniform landscape. Archaeological evidence across central Brazil records long human occupation, while Indigenous languages, food knowledge and territorial practices remain part of the region’s living history. The biome was not an untouched wilderness before European expansion; it was a cultural landscape managed through varied forms of cultivation, movement and fire.

Gold, Expeditions and Colonial Expansion

From the late seventeenth century, Portuguese expeditions and bandeirantes moved into the interior in search of Indigenous labour, mineral wealth and new routes. Gold discoveries in Goiás and Minas Gerais encouraged the establishment of colonial settlements and administrative centres, linking the central plateau more closely to Brazil’s coastal colonies. Mining reshaped rivers, roads and settlement patterns, while cattle raising became important in areas less suited to intensive agriculture. Towns such as Goiás, formerly Vila Boa, preserve architectural evidence of this colonial interior, although the expansion brought profound displacement and violence for Indigenous populations.

Cattle, Agricultural Frontiers and Inland Trade

After the principal gold rushes declined, cattle ranching, subsistence farming and regional trade became central to much of the Cerrado economy. Seasonal movement, river crossings and overland routes connected isolated settlements with markets in Minas Gerais, Goiás and São Paulo. Rural traditions developed around dairy production, corn, beans, fruit gathering and cattle, while towns expanded slowly along roads and river corridors. This period helped forge the inland cultural identities associated with Goiás, Minas Gerais and the São Francisco hinterland, even though the region remained less densely populated than Brazil’s coastal areas.

Brasília and the National Interior

The construction of Brasília in the late 1950s transformed the central plateau and gave practical expression to Brazil’s long-standing ambition to integrate its interior. Planned by Lúcio Costa and shaped architecturally by Oscar Niemeyer, the new capital opened in 1960 within the Cerrado landscape. Its roads, administrative functions and associated infrastructure stimulated migration, construction and urban growth across the Federal District and neighbouring Goiás. Brasília’s modernist core is internationally recognised, while the surrounding Cerrado remains essential to understanding the ecological setting in which the capital was built.

Roads, Mechanised Agriculture and Rapid Transformation

From the second half of the twentieth century, highways, agricultural research, irrigation and improved soil management enabled large-scale cultivation across parts of the Cerrado. Soybeans, maize, cotton and cattle production expanded rapidly, strengthening Brazil’s position as a major agricultural power and generating new inland cities and logistics corridors. The same transformation caused extensive habitat loss, altered river systems and increased pressure on traditional communities. The contrast between productive farmland, expanding urban centres and remaining native vegetation is one of the defining contemporary realities of the biome.

Conservation and the Cerrado Today

Recognition of the Cerrado’s exceptional plant diversity and importance as a source of major Brazilian rivers has encouraged the creation of national parks, ecological stations and other protected areas. Chapada dos Veadeiros, Emas, Grande Sertão Veredas, Serra da Canastra and Chapada dos Guimarães protect different expressions of the biome, from highland grasslands to canyons and river headwaters. Conservation remains complex because protected areas coexist with agriculture, mining, tourism and established communities. Contemporary travel increasingly introduces visitors to this ecological significance through guided walks, interpretation and locally based tourism.

Cerrado in Photos

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Evendo: Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Cerrado, Brazil

Discover the best of Cerrado with Evendo, a 100% free app-based travel guide covering attractions, landmarks, restaurants, and much more.

  • Detailed information on attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities
  • Rich content including images, descriptions, local tips, maps, and contact details
  • Easy booking for hotels, tours, tickets, and experiences
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Unlock the secrets of Cerrado with Evendo, your comprehensive and free travel guide app. Explore landmarks, book tours, and experience the local culture like never before.

  • History of Cerrado and travel essentials
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  • User-friendly navigation and 'Near Me' feature
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  • Global coverage of over 7,000 destinations

Planning a trip to the enchanting Cerrado in Brazil? Let Evendo be your ultimate travel companion. Evendo is a free, all-in-one travel guide app that offers detailed information on the best attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities in Cerrado.

Imagine wandering through the stunning Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park, or exploring the historic streets of Pirenópolis. With Evendo, you can easily find these and many other famous landmarks, complete with images, descriptions, local tips, maps, and contact details. Discover the vibrant nightlife at the popular bars and nightclubs in Brasília, or savor local delicacies at top-rated restaurants like Dona Flor and Quintal da Villa.

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Featuring the history of Cerrado, travel essentials, and curated local tips, Evendo ensures you experience the city like a local. Navigate the city effortlessly with our intuitive app interface and the 'Near Me' feature, which shows you what's around you no matter where you are.

Download Evendo today and make the most of your Cerrado adventure. Best of all, it's 100% free with no in-app purchases or hidden costs. Plus, Evendo covers over 7,000 destinations globally, so you can explore the world with ease.

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