Some places we visit; others we feel. Caldas Novas and Rio Quente, in the heart of Goiás, are the kind that stay with you: you step into the warm water, your shoulders relax, the conversation flows, and before you know it the afternoon is ending. It is the destination for rest, and few combine so well with a group trip.
Why does Caldas Novas have the largest thermal waters in the world?
Caldas Novas, in Goiás, sits above the largest hot water aquifer on the planet. The water rises from the ground naturally heated, between 37 and 57 degrees Celsius, with no artificial heating. There are dozens of pools in parks and resorts, from the warmest to the milder ones, with cascades, hydromassage areas and small beaches. Right next door, the Rio Quente flows warm all year round and gives its name to the most famous complex of parks in the region.
The whole city grew up around these waters: there are hundreds of hotels and guesthouses with thermal pools, and daily life there revolves around warm baths, rest and well-being.
What is there to do in Caldas Novas and Rio Quente?
- Thermal water parks: the main attraction. Take it slowly, alternate between pools and respect how your body feels in the water.
- Hot Park (Rio Quente): the best-known water park, with the Cerrado beach (white sand and waves), water slides and thermal pools surrounded by nature.
- Lago de Corumbá: a beautiful sunset and boat trips.
- Caldas Novas town centre: ice cream, crafts and a gentle walk as night falls.
What is the best time to visit Caldas Novas?
Caldas Novas is a year-round destination, but the cooler weather in the middle of the year (May to August) is when the warm water feels even better: dry climate, blue skies and that lovely contrast between the fresh air and the hot pool.
For the traveller
A few tips for enjoying the trip in comfort, especially for older travellers:
- Stay hydrated: the heat of the waters calls for drinking water throughout the day.
- Alternate: alternate time in the water with rest in the shade; there is no need to overdo it to relax.
- Non-slip footwear and sunscreen: the pool edges are wet and the Cerrado sun is strong.
- No rush: here the idea is to slow down. Set aside time to simply float and look at the sky.
What travelling on an expedition is like
The charm of thermal waters is the pace: nothing rushed. In a group, it gets even better. We take care of the transport, the accommodation with thermal pools and the schedules, and you only have to think about relaxing and making friends at the water's edge. For older travellers, it is one of the best-loved destinations for exactly this reason: it is good for the body and the heart.
Would you like to join us on the next expedition to Caldas Novas? Take a look at our expeditions and message us on WhatsApp, and we will tell you the dates.
Photos: Hot Park (CC BY 2.0) and Eric Gandolph (CC BY-SA 4.0), via Wikimedia Commons.
