Palmas
Things
to do in Palmas town:
- visit
the museum of Tocantins, in the Palacinho.
- take
a boat to the island opposite Graciosa beach.
- visit
the beaches Graciosa, Praia da Prata, Praia das Arnos
Things
to do near Palmas
- visit
the valley of Taquaruçu, southeast of Palmas
- have
a walk in the hills of Lajeado, north of Palmas
- visit
the Lajeado dam
Southeast of Palmas at 30km distance, Taquaruçu,
is a pleasant little village in a green valley.
The beautiful mountain range has an altar facing the valley
panorama. After so much walking and trail hiking it´s time for
refreshing: Five waterfalls, two of them called "Roncador"
and "Brejo da Lagoa" are less than 300 meter apart from each
other and are both 70 meter high. Taquaraçu Falls, Lajedos and Macaco
are a bit shorter though offer as much fun. For accommodation, there
are seven hotels with 425 beds, restaurants and bar lounges.
Taquaruçu has a pleasant climate. The area is covered with dense
palmaceous vegetation, specially the Babaçu kind, and is a jointure of
the cerrado and the amazon vegetation.
North of Palmas, situated at 18 km away from downtown the Ecological
Reserve of Serra do Lajeado offers a
perfect environment for nature observers. It shelters more than 138
animal species under a diversified vegetation. It´s a truly
"ecological safari". Mountain hiking is an option for sport lovers.
Lajeado
Lajeado is the name of a town, a river and the hills north east of
Palmas. The place is known for its
stories of unusual signs of light appearing over the mountains.
Lajeado Falls holds an important project built in the 60's: a
hydroelectric power-station. On the way to these falls one finds the
most beautiful views of Serra do Carmo
and Morro do Leão.
For
a panaromic view over the lake and Palmas: take the TO-010, in the
direction of Lajeado, check kilometer sign 13 and find a small
road on the right. Drive to the fazenda 3km further and then follow
the track by foot.
The most interesting waterfall is called Mirindiba. Take the road at
sign 22km.
Our suggestion is that you hire a guide at Catur. Catur is located at
the Parque Cesamar in Palmas.
Serra do
Lajeado gathers three
different types of vegetation: caatinga (a stunted sparse forest),
patches of trees and tropical forest. Wild animals, most in
extinction, are found there.
The exotic is also present:
Morro do
Segredo (Secret Mountain) is full of folk tales about its
volcano like form. According to local residents these mountain keep a lot of secrets
about mysterious signs coming from flying objects.
The atmosfere of magic is further enhanced by the great slabs of
granite which gave the town its name and by the old indian
inscriptions on a panel in the Serra das
Escritas.
Miracema
Along the Tocantins margins this town has also great
beaches as its main attractions. Mirassol and Funil Beaches offer
great area for camping and a beautiful view.
Balneário
Correntinho is surrounded by typically northern vegetation and has a
more structured location with restaurants, sand courts, soccer field
and obviously a natural pool. Coconut base fish dishes go well with
vodka mixed with coconutwater.
Hammocks,
fish nets and sculptures are part of local art crafts along with
Xerente Indians handiwork. For accommodation the town counts on two
hotels with 100 beds.
Monte
do Carmo
A very pleasant town nearly 250 years old with a simple
architectural complex of narrow streets.
The early settlement was predominantly by families from Bahia, that
brought a strong afro-brasilien influence. That has been preserved in
festivals like Taieiras and Divino.
The Our Lady of Rosário
Church was inherited by its inhabitants from its first colonizers.
Religious festivities take place in
July with street celebrations and pilgrimages. The town residents are
extremely hospitable to outsiders with its tasteful dishes.
Located
in Serra do Carmo, Morro das Figuras
has 10 tall rock formations from 5 to 30 meters high, looking like
men. On
the same hills you find
Morro do Salão, a
cave with prehistoric inscriptions.
Cachoeira
de Suero (Snoring
Falls) According to residents these falis give them signs of rain when
it "breathes heavily" making loud noises. That is what Monte
do Carmo is about. Legend, tradition and beauty.
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Paraíso
do Tocantins
The name means "paradise" in Portuguese due to a naturally
beautiful landscape. The town exports rice, corn and soya. The history
is linked to the highway.
Porto Nacional
Founded when Brazil was still a Portuguese colony, the city was first
known as Porto Real. Later Porto Imperial. Catholic institutes had a
profound impact on the early growth of the city where the first
missionaries arrived in 1886. The construction of the Transbrasilien
Highway in the sixties and the bridge in 1979 accelerated the growth.
Today the city´s churches, centuries-old mansions and longstanding
traditions are witness to its status as the cultural cradle of the
state.
With the coming of the Lajeado hydropower plant, the city has built a
modern riverside.
The Our Lady of Mercês Cathedral is truly a city post card for its
romantic construction with columns and arches inspired by Toulouse
style, France.
Influenced by Maranhão, Piaui and Bahia it couldn´t help typically
northerner characteristics in its music and dances (forró). Clube do
Zuíno has a great space for dance parties at the accordion sound.
During carnival five thousand people go around town at the "Folia
do Pau d´Oleo" command. This group has brought to town the
liveliest carnival celebration.
For
accommodation visitors count on three hotels with 165 beds. The Ipê
Country Club has also a good structure of bar services and restaurants.
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