Adventure Tourism Around Nobres in West Brazil
River Trips, Caving, Abseiling and Paragliding in Mato Grosso
Nov 7, 2009
Nobres, located 70 kilometres north of Mato Grosso's capital Cuiabá, is one of Brazil's young adventure tourism destinations. Nobres offers adventure tours like paragliding, rafting and abseiling, while the nearby village of Bom Jardim has outdoor activities like snorkelling and bird watching.
Adventure Tours at Nobres
Travel agencies in Nobres and Bom Jardim, but also in Cuiabá and even some in São Paulo, offer the following outdoor activities around Nobres:
- Paragliding [wind permitting]. Costs: 150 reais [85 US dollars] including paragliding gear.
- Rafting on the Rio Cuiabá [water level permitting]. Costs: 50 reais.
- Jungle trail and visit to the Tombador Waterfall. Free of charge, but a guide is required.
- Abseiling, a hiking trail and a visit to a cave – all at one fazenda [ranch] on Nobres' outskirts. Entrance fee: 25 reais.
- Bird watching at Lagoa das Araras. Entrance fee: 10 reais.
- Snorkelling in several crystal clear river sources and rivers. Entrance fee: 45-60 reais.
- Visit to Serra Azul Waterfall. Entrance fee: 50 reais.
- Diving in Lagoa Salobão. Entrance fee: 170 reais.
- Exploring the Caves of Cerquinho and Duto do Quebó. Entrance fee: 25 resp. 45 reais.
Travellers should bring swimming gear, sun lotion, towel and sturdy sandals or tennis shoes to walk jungle trails and wear in the water.
Guides for Nobres' Adventure Tourism
All outdoor activities take place under supervision of a guide. In some cases the guide is provided by the location, for other adventure tours a guide has to be hired [30 reais per day, 18 US dollars]. Traveller must provide their own transportation. Cars can be rented in Nobres or Cuiabá and cost about 100-150 reais per day [60-90 US dollars].
The guides' knowledge of any language other than Portuguese [this includes Spanish] is non-existent or limited to a few words, but with good humour one can always communicate. In this modern era of computerised translations it shouldn't be a problem to send an email in English to travel agencies for information or reservations – use plain language to avoid confusion.
Travel Agencies at Nobres and Bom Jardim
The last five outdoor activities mentioned above can also be undertaken directly from a travel agency at the nearby village of Bom Jardim. To enter the premises of an adventure tour location vouchers are needed which are only provided by the travel agencies in Nobres and Bom Jardim. While this isn't always the most convenient solution for the traveller, in this way the towns are assured of income and employment.
Travel Agencies in Nobres and Bom Jardim Are:
- Lagoa Azul Travel Agency in Nobres: alazulnbs@hotmailc.om / tel: [65] 9622-9492
- Travel agency Rota das Aguas in Bom Jardim: rotadasaguas@rotadasaguas.tur.br / tel: [65] 3102-2019
- Travel agency Paraíso das Aguas in Bom Jardim: tel: [65] 9237-4471
- Travel agency Bom Jardim: tel: [65] 3102-2018
Accommodation in Nobres
The town has hotels and eateries in different price categories. Hotel prices vary from 60 to 150 reais per person per night. It is advised to make reservations in advance, especially for weekends or during the high season [July and January / February]. The travel agencies can assist in providing accommodation.
How to Reach Nobres
Nobres is situated at 140 kilometres north of Cuiabá, along Road BR 163. A daily bus plies between the towns [about 20 reais, about 3 hours]. On request the travel agency can arrange a transfer from Cuiabá.
Nobres – A Tourist Destination With Outdoor Activities
The region of Nobres offers an excellent mixture or tranquil natural scenery and adventure tourism. The presence of rivers and lakes invites the intrepid traveller to outdoor activities like diving, snorkelling and rafting as well as adventure tours that include rafting and abseiling. Another beautiful natural scenery is found in the nearby Chapada dos Guimarães, northeast of Cuiabá.
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