Nobres, off the beaten track

27 April 2010, Nobres (Mato Grosso, Brazil)

Based on just one paragraph in our Brazilian guidebook, we set off to this place described as having great potential for eco-tourism. The bus ride is pretty uncomfortable, hot (no a/c). We arrive at the bus station of this tiny little town of Nobres, and have no clue where the hotel is and it is about 38 degrees outside, so we happily get into the one cab that shows up. Hmm... soon we learn the hotel is about 500 meters from the bus station and the cab driver insists that we pay him 10 Real (about 5 USD) for the very short ride. Oh well at least our hotel is very pleasant. Soon we find out that we cannot do any of the excursions without a car. Although the sights in this region can only be visited with a guide, we have to provide the transportation - a very strange arrangement we find. Luckily the hotel arranges for us to rent a car.


The next day we set off early in what we soon find out to be a rather rickety car, we have to drive 75km on a pretty bad dirt road but the surrounding landscape is stunning. After 1.5 hrs we arrive at our first destination, where a young guide takes us snorkeling, first in a natural pool with crystal clear water, very appropriately called aquario, and afterwards we float down a river with crystal clear water.


After we have lunch, we drive with our guide in the back seat (not sure he is old enough to drive) to the next attraction, a waterfall. The drive is long and on a very bad road; the beautiful surrounding provide some compensation. Also we spot a few bright yellow and blue Araras in a palm tree. But we are thinking this better be a really special waterfall. And it is, with a large natural pool for swimming with clear water. Our guide is having the most fun though; since we arrive he is jumping and swimming around.


After dropping off our guide at his fazenda, we have to drive back one hour on the dirt road in the dark (no street lights). Luckily it is full moon, so we have a bit of extra light while driving, avoiding horses and cows on the narrow track (and the occasional truck). After 200km on dirt roads, we arrive happily in our hotel. In the end, our trip off the beaten track was well worth it.

Fotos from Nobres and Bom Jardim