Caldas Novas is located in a region that is home to one of the largest hydrothermal parks in the world. The region’s water springs, with temperatures ranging between 36 and 70 degrees celsius, are the main reason for the city’s popularity.
Warm crystal-clear waters flow to the surface at temperatures of approximately 60°C. The local thermal waters are considered therapeutic, which attracts around a million visitors each year.
Caldas Novas is the city that contains the most hotels in the Midwest region, and many of them have their own water park. However, there are also thermal parks in the region that are open to the public. A curious fact: the local warm waters come from local rainfall. The water is absorbed through cracks between the rocks and reaches depths of over a thousand meters, where it gets heated and returns to the surface through a system of fractures (deep fissures in the rocks).
Lake Corumbá, which supplies Corumbá I hydroelectric plant, is another interesting local attraction, covering an area of 65 km². Visitors usually enjoy it on their motorboats, sailboats, and jet skis, passing by waterfalls and local bars along the shore. Sports fishing is another popular activity available to the public, and there are even periodic competitions.
For the hikers out there, there are two trails (Cascatinha and Paredão) in Serra de Caldas Novas State Park that lead to local waterfalls and viewpoints where you can see the beauty of the wildlife and vegetation of the Cerrado biome (also known as the Brazilian savannah) at an altitude of 1,043m. The hikes must be led by local guides and take between one and a half to two and a half hours.
While you are in the region, you should take the time to try local delicacies and dishes, such as the typical roasted fish on roof tiles, one of the most popular dishes in the region. After it is cleaned, the fish is well seasoned, set on a roof tile, and cooked in a clay oven. Pequi (Souari Nut), a typical Cerrado fruit, is also widely used in local cuisine.
Visitors should also make the time to visit the municipality of Rio Quente, located only 30 km from the city of Caldas Novas. It is home to the longest warm-water river on the planet, stretching for 12 km, as well as to one of the largest water parks in the country.
Source: Visit Brazil