Ministério do Turismo

Jalapão

Jalapão has cinematographic scenery. It has abundant waterfalls, rivers and lakes. And all of this is punctuated by fine, reddish sand dunes in the midst of sparse backwoods vegetation. It is no doubt the perfect background for tourism and radical sports such as rafting, canyoning and vertical modalities. It is a place that is attractive and rustic, ready to be conquered. It derived its name from a common habit in the region. Jalapa-do-brasil is a native plant used to cure stomach ailments. Because of its bitter flavor, local inhabitants normally eat it with a piece of bread. That is where the juxtaposition comes from: jalapa-pão (pão is bread in Portuguese). No matter what, Jalapão impresses with its pure size: it occupies approximately 20% of the State of Tocantins. Sandstone plateaus that reach one thousand meters in height dominate the landscape. They say that here is where the sea became the hinterland. Despite being considered a desert, the fauna abound: the maned wolf, the pampas deer, the rhea, the great anteater, the jaguar and other regional species hide in the typical hinterland vegetation to escape the punishing sun that accentuates the dry climate with its constant 30ºC temperature. The biggest surprise for all those who venture here is to find an abundance of perennial rivers with transparent and still pure water.

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Basic information
Climate:
The region’s climate is called sub-humid (AW), with maximum annual temperatures between 30°C and 32°C from August to November, partly due to the end of the dry season when smoke from the burning brush in the hinterland contributes to higher temperatures, and lows of between 18º and 19ºC, in June and July.

There are two well-defined seasons during the year: the rainy season, between October and April and the dry season, between May and September.
City facts
State: Tocantins
Region: North
Area Code: (63)

Distances
Palmas: 198 km
Accommodation / Restaurants
There is no support structure in the park. The cities of Mateiros and Ponte Alta serve as support stations for visitors. Both have hotels, restaurants, tourism agencies and guides that take visitors on excursions.
How to get there
By Highway - BR-153: Intense truck traffic. Starting in Estreito, on the border of Tocantins to Wanderlândia, from Araguaína to Nova Olinda and from Presidente Kennedy to Guaraí the roads are in bad condition. The TO-255, from Porto Nacional to Ponte Alta de Tocantins, is newly paved. After this stretch, there are sections with soft sand, pointy stones and holes, perfect for 4X4s.
Tips
La región es prácticamente desproveída de infraestructura turística. Las ciudades son pequeñas y sencillas. Las pocas opciones de hospedaje son rusticas. Los teléfonos son raros y generalmente, los teléfonos móviles no funcionan muy bien. Se el turista viaja de coche debe estar atento todo el tiempo. Las carreteras carecen de señalización y existen pocas gasolineras. Agencias de viaje receptivo de Palmas organizan excursiones para el Jalapão.
Attractions
Suçuapara Canyon
This canyon is 60m long and 15m high. It was opened by the water running over the sandstone, thus forming the small canyon and the waterfall. Moss and hundreds of ferns grow along the steep slopes. The road to Mateiros, 15 km.

Velha Waterfalls
Two falls in the shape of a horseshoe, 25m high and 100m wide. It spills a large volume of water into the Novo River even during the dry season. The road to Triagro Farm, 101 km.

Lajeado Waterfalls
There are a series of steps over which the water runs until forming a 10m high waterfall and natural pool. It is necessary to climb down a stairway of stones, some of which are very slippery. The road to Chiquinho Farm, 45 km.

Brejo da Cama Waterfalls
This is in the middle of the plateau, in a hole. The road to Chiquinho Farm, 50 km.

Sand Dunes
With a panoramic view. Formation of enormous orange colored sandbanks with up to 40m at the base of an 800m high plateau in the Espírito Santo Mountains. It is the result of sandstone erosion. The road to Mateiros, 136 km.

Fervedouro
A small well of crystal clear, warm water, surrounded by banana plants. Whte sand lines the bottom forming a natural pool 8m in diameter. It sits over a water table that releases water, forming air bubbles in the sand that do not allow the swimmer to sink. The road to S. Félix do Jalapão, 192 km.


Rio Formiga Waterfalls
A small falls on a river with crystal clear, blue water. The road to S. Félix do Jalapão, 199 km.

Pedra Furada Hill
An opening in the rock, carved by erosion and the wind. The road to Pindorama do Tocantins, 31 km.

Adventure Tourism
Rafting in the Novo River. Little explored, with small waterfalls and natural pools. The road to Mateiros, 120 km.

Fauna
The most observed animals are the wildcats, deer, capybaras, foxes, monkeys and small mammals. Besides the common types of fauna found in the hinterland, several endangered species can be found in the Jalapão region, such as the maned wolf, puma, pampas deer and tapir. The regional bird fauna has species such as the macaw, parrot, toucan, rhea, crested seriema, and lapwing. Among the reptiles, one finds the anaconda, boa, rattlesnake, chameleon, tegu lizard and many more.

Mumbuca Arts and Crafts
A group of 22 families, descendants of slaves, with a matriarchal tradition. The Mumbucas make a living making hats, baskets, plates, glasses and slippers out of golden grass, a fiber that only exists in that region, and braided buriti palm tree straw. The pieces are for sale along the road to S. Félix do Jalapão, 197 km.

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