Designed by famous Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer, Palmas, the capital of the state of Tocantins, was inaugurated on May 23, 1989. It is the youngest capital in Brazil and was conceived as a functional and organized city right in the middle of the rich landscape of the cerrado biome. Its urban parks, huge city squares, and green areas make the city even more charming.
Among the main attractions in Palmas is Sunflower Square (Praça dos Girassóis), the largest in Latin America and the second largest in the world. The square holds the headquarters of the three state powers, the Coluna Prestes Memorial, the Metropolitan Cathedral, and other must-see attractions.
Cesamar Park is a wonderful place to spend late afternoons. The area includes walking paths, sports grounds and equipment, and entertainment options for children and adults, making it a great attraction for the whole family. The park is also home to the Suçuapara House, the headquarters for the first City Hall and the first Municipal Council in Palmas.
The building is currently a museum called The Culture House (Casa da Cultura), which is responsible for documenting the history of Palmas.
Local lake beaches, such as Graciosa, Prata, Caju, Buritis, Arnos, and Ilha Canela (Cinnamon Island) have great infrastructure, including food stands where visitors can enjoy incredible dishes, such as the traditional fried or roasted peacock bass, a typical fish in the region.
And as far as local cuisine goes, some of the most popular dishes include dried-meat paçoca, a typical dish made with few ingredients (shredded fried beef, cassava flour, and salt), and northern fish that are very common in the region, such as pirarucu, peacock bass (tucunaré), and piranhas.
Palmas is located in the heart of Brazil and is the gateway to wonderful natural attractions such as Jalapão, one of Latin America’s most popular ecotourism destinations, and home to the famous crystal-clear karst springs called fervedouros.
Source: Visit Brasil