September 27, 2026, 5:36 am | Read time: 5 minutes
Where in Central and South America are there regions that are still true insider tips? TRAVELBOOK recently asked its readers this question and had them vote on which of five featured insider tips is the best travel destination. The winner was announced on September 22, 2026, at this year’s TRAVELBOOK Award. Included were: Petén in Guatemala, Nuquí in Colombia, Boca Chica in Panama, Parque Nacional Iberá in Argentina, and last but not least, Parque Estadual do Jalapão in Brazil. We introduce this nature reserve in this text.
Parque Estadual do Jalapão in Brazil
Raging rivers and waterfalls, bright blue karst lakes, dry steppes, sand dunes, jungles, table mountains, canyons–Parque Estadual do Jalapão is a fascinatingly diverse nature reserve in the central northeast of Brazil. Located in the state of Tocantins, the state park, founded in 2001, covers 158,800 hectares, making it the largest in its state and the most significant savanna in South America, as the ecotourism platform PlanetaEXO, which specializes in Jalapão tours, writes on its info page. Jalapão is thus one of the most important facilities for nature conservation in the Cerrado, the world’s most biodiverse wet savanna, which spans large parts of Brazil.
The state park is home to numerous animal species, such as jaguars, maned wolves, giant anteaters, giant armadillos, and opossums. Many birds also fly over the ever-sunny sky, including the endangered Brazilian tanager, as well as macaws and ovenbirds.
According to PlanetaEXO, the current state park was covered by the primordial sea millions of years ago. The cliffs and canyons, sand areas and sandstone walls, as well as fertile valleys, are thus relics of long-gone times and an explanation for the “unique combination of dunes, rivers, and springs” visible today.
Also interesting: What is the best insider travel destination in Central and South America?
What can you experience in Brazil’s Jalapão?
The vast nature reserve can be explored during guided or private tours. According to the info page Visit Brasil, due to the terrain, limited infrastructure, and lack of cell phone coverage, it is “strongly recommended to hire a local guide for tours within the park.”
While exploring the nature reserve, a highlight to discover is the Fervedouros. These are “natural karst springs that occur when underground rivers push water through fine sand under high pressure,” explains PlanetaEXO. There are hundreds of these bubbling springs in Jalapão, but only a few can be visited, such as Alecrim, Bela Vista, Buritis, Buritizinho, Ceiça, Encontro das Águas, Rio Sono, and Soninho. To protect the Fervedouros, there are strict rules. Only eight people are allowed to bathe in a spring at the same time, and only without sunscreen.
A popular attraction in Jalapão is also the Japanese Lagoon in the city of Pindorama do Tocantins, where you can swim. Cave visits and zip-lining are also among the activities available. There are also various waterfalls that visitors can discover on a trip through the state park. One of the most popular is the nearly 100-meter-wide, horseshoe-shaped Cachoeira da Velha. The Formiga Waterfall with its emerald green spring is also among the well-known waterfalls in the region. The river beach Prainha do Rio Novo with its golden sand is also popular. The river itself promises adventure, such as boat trips and rafting tours. For those seeking adventure, the park also offers various opportunities for rappelling or diving.
Best Time to Visit
The climate in Parque Estadual do Jalapão is tropical and warm year-round. The rainy season lasts from November to April, and the dry season from May to October. During the dry season, temperatures can rise to up to 104 degrees Fahrenheit, dropping to about 54 degrees at night. During the rainy season, the temperature differences between day and night are smaller. According to the travel agency Aventura do Brasil, many travelers find the first months after and the beginning of the rainy season to be the most pleasant in terms of climate.
Getting There by Plane and Off-Road Vehicle
Those wishing to visit Parque Estadual do Jalapão in Brazil typically first travel to Palmas, the capital of the state of Tocantins. From there, the journey continues by off-road vehicle. Tour operators offer tours from Palmas.
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Location of Jalapão in Brazil
Methodology for the TRAVELBOOK Award
Once again this year, we say: All nominated regions, countries, and others for the TRAVELBOOK Award are already winners. Even if they didn’t achieve overall victory. This also applies to Parque Estadual do Jalapão in Brazil. Because: Every insider travel destination has already made it to the shortlist in advance, meaning it was selected from a large number of candidates in a category.
The TRAVELBOOK editorial team asked the community on Facebook and Instagram for help and consulted experts from the travel industry to create the shortlist. For the first time this year, not only TRAVELBOOK readers but also BILD readers voted. In total, more than 150,000 votes were cast to determine the trend travel destinations for 2027.