Nova Ubiratã

Day Trips

Make the most of your day with our curated plans, packed with Nova Ubiratã's hidden gems and unique experiences!

day 1
Arrival and Riverside Exploration
morning
:

Begin your day with a scenic drive into Nova Ubiratã, taking in verdant pastures and riverbanks. Check into a cozy pousada overlooking the Cuiabá River and enjoy a fresh tropical fruit breakfast. Wander along the riverside trails to spot kingfishers and capybaras while learning about local ecosystems.

afternoon
:

Savor a traditional rice and beans lunch at a family-run restaurant by the water. Hire a guide to canoe upstream and observe how fishermen cast nets in the tranquil river. Return for a refreshing swim in a shaded cove and relax with a cold guaraná soda.

evening
:

Dine on freshly caught fish grilled over wood fire and seasoned with regional herbs. Join locals at a riverside bar for caipirinhas and acoustic sertanejo music. End the night strolling under fireflies and listening to the gentle flow of the river.

day 2
Waterfall Hike and Wildlife Spotting
morning
:

Set off early for a guided hike to Cachoeira do Roncador, weaving through cerrado vegetation and rocky outcrops. Listen for toucans and howler monkeys echoing through the trees as you ascend. Reach the falls in time to feel the cool mist and snap photos of cascading waters.

afternoon
:

Enjoy a packed picnic lunch on a sunlit rock shelf overlooking the pool below the waterfall. Spend time swimming or simply basking in the sun while watching dragonflies dart around. Return along a different trail where you might glimpse armadillos or capuchin monkeys.

evening
:

Head back to town for a late afternoon rest and a fresh fruit juice. At dinner, taste farofa and mandioca prepared in banana leaves at a local eatery. Share stories with fellow travelers around a bonfire, gazing at the clear, star-filled sky.

day 3
Fazenda Visit and Cultural Immersion
morning
:

Drive to a traditional cattle fazenda nestled on the outskirts of Nova Ubiratã. Participate in morning chores such as feeding livestock and collecting free-range eggs. Learn about sustainable ranching practices from the gaucho hosts over a hearty breakfast of pão de queijo and coffee.

afternoon
:

Join a horseback ride across open fields and river crossing spots, experiencing the landscape from a cowboy’s perspective. Pause for a rustic lunch in a wooden barn, tasting slow-cooked meats and fresh salads from the fazenda garden. Visit the on-site dairy to see how artisanal cheeses are crafted and sample them warm.

evening
:

Return to town and unwind with a massage or spa treatment using native tucumã nut oil. Have dinner at a family-run bistrô featuring pumpkin soup and grilled vegetables. Later, enjoy a live folk dance demonstration in the fazenda’s courtyard under lantern light.

day 4
River Tubing and Birdwatching
morning
:

After breakfast, head to a gentle river bend ideal for tubing adventures. Float downstream on inner tubes, drifting past lush banks and under shaded tree canopies. Spot herons and kingfishers perched on branches as you glide along.

afternoon
:

Stop at a sandy river island for a lakeside lunch of grilled chicken skewers and tropical fruit salad. Continue tubing or take short walks along the shoreline to photograph macaws and parrots. Return to the town docks for a chilled coconut water and local snacks from a riverside vendor.

evening
:

Experience the twilight chorus of frogs and insects as you stroll back to your pousada. Dine on moqueca de peixe (fish stew) served in a clay pot with rice and farofa. Finish the night by sipping erva-mate tea under a canopy of twinkling stars.

day 5
Archaeological Site and Local Cuisine
morning
:

Travel to the nearby Pedra do Curu archaeological site with an expert guide. Explore ancient rock shelters adorned with pictographs dating back thousands of years. Learn about the region’s early inhabitants and their survival techniques in the cerrado.

afternoon
:

Relish a regional lunch of baião de dois (rice and beans) with queijo coalho at a quaint roadside café. Head back to Nova Ubiratã for a cooking workshop where you prepare tapioca pancakes and sweet passion fruit jam. Enjoy your creations alongside local storytellers who share legends of the land.

evening
:

Watch the sunset over rolling hills from a scenic viewpoint on the town’s outskirts. Return for an alfresco dinner of pan-fried beef and yams, accompanied by live viola caipira music. Cap off the night with a guided nighttime nature walk to spot nocturnal creatures like owls and armadillos.

day 6
Kayaking in the Cuiabá River
morning
:

Gear up for a guided kayaking trip along the calmer stretches of the Cuiabá River. Paddle with ease as you observe flooded forests, water lilies, and fish darting below the surface. Your guide points out unique plant species and local birdlife resting in the reed beds.

afternoon
:

Pull ashore for a beachside lunch of smoked meats, fresh salads, and cooled fruit juices. After lunch, explore hidden river channels by kayak or take a snorkeling dip in a clear pool. Return downstream at a leisurely pace, capturing photos of giant water lilies and lush forest reflections.

evening
:

Relax with a riverside hammock nap before dinner. Sample a regional dessert—cocada (coconut sweet)—paired with freshly brewed coffee. Unwind by the riverbank, listening to the gentle lapping of water and distant frog calls.

day 7
Community Crafts and Traditional Music
morning
:

Visit a local artisan cooperative where you learn to weave baskets from native fibers. Meet with craftswomen who demonstrate beadwork and pottery techniques passed down through generations. Create a small souvenir under their guidance to take home.

afternoon
:

Enjoy a homemade lunch featuring grilled tilapia and mandioca puree. Participate in a workshop on traditional dance steps and the history behind each movement. Grab a cold drink and mingle with community members eager to share their culture.

evening
:

Attend an open-air music festival hosted by the cooperative, with live percussion and regional folk singers. Test your dance moves alongside locals as lanterns glow overhead. Enjoy street food stalls offering acarajé and pamonha to satisfy your evening cravings.

day 8
Sunset at the Chapada Plateau
morning
:

Depart early for a day trip to the Chapada dos Guimarães plateau, admiring dramatic cliffs and expansive savannah views. Stop at Mirante do Centro Geodésico to learn about Brazil’s geographic heart. Continue to small waterfalls tucked into the canyon walls.

afternoon
:

Picnic atop a plateau ledge, surrounded by panoramic vistas and breeze-cooled air. Explore nearby trails to more secluded viewpoints and natural pools. Photograph sunlit rock formations and listen for the calls of jacus and other endemic birds.

evening
:

Position yourself at the plateau rim to witness a fiery sunset over the rugged landscapes. Return to Nova Ubiratã for dinner at a panoramic restaurant serving regional game meats. Savor a local dessert of doce de leite under candlelight.

day 9
Nighttime Safari and Stargazing
morning
:

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your pousada before a free morning for shopping or spa time. Stroll through a local boutique searching for handcrafted souvenirs and regional coffee beans. Relax by the pool and recharge for an active evening.

afternoon
:

Take a guided tour of the municipal museum to learn about the town’s natural history and botany. Watch demonstrations on how native medicinal plants are used. Have a light lunch of fresh salads and homemade bread at a café that overlooks lush gardens.

evening
:

Embark on a nighttime safari with a naturalist to spot nocturnal wildlife like ocelots and giant anteaters. Afterward, set up telescopes in an open field to study constellations and planets far from city lights. Sip on hot mate tea as you absorb the majesty of the southern night sky.

day 10
Farewell Market and Departure
morning
:

Pack your belongings after a final wake-up coffee on the porch overlooking rolling fields. Head to the weekly open-air market where vibrant stalls offer fresh produce, smoked meats, and handmade sweets. Chat with vendors to collect last-minute gifts like artisanal cheese and local jams.

afternoon
:

Enjoy a farewell lunch at a riverside eatery, indulging in a mixed grill and tropical fruit punch. Take a final stroll along the riverbanks to reflect on your Nova Ubiratã adventure. Return to your pousada for check-out and loading your luggage.

evening
:

Share a light snack and caipirinhas at a nearby café as the sun dips below the horizon. Say goodbye to new friends and your hospitable hosts before departing for the airport or next destination. Carry memories of golden sunsets, jaguar trails, and river melodies with you.

Discover Nova Ubiratã

Read more in our Nova Ubiratã 2025 Travel Guide.

Nova Ubiratã Travel Guide