Where to stay in Chapada dos Veadeiros: best towns and accommodation tips

Chapada dos Veadeiros is a national park and protected natural area in central Brazil, about 230 km (143 miles) from Brasília. The region is quite vast and includes eight towns, but only three of them are commonly used as a base by travelers. If you’re planning a trip to explore its stunning waterfalls, hiking trails, and unique landscapes, it’s important to understand the differences between these main base towns so you can choose where to stay in Chapada dos Veadeiros and make the most of your trip. And that’s exactly what this guide will help you do.

I spent 10 days in Chapada dos Veadeiros and absolutely loved it. The region includes the towns of Alto Paraíso de Goiás, Cavalcante, São João d’Aliança, Campos Belos, Monte Alegre de Goiás, Teresina de Goiás, Colinas do Sul, and Nova Roma. Most visitors stay in Alto Paraíso, Cavalcante, and São Jorge.

Just out of curiosity, although São Jorge is often treated as a separate destination (and I’ll do the same here), it’s actually a small village within the municipality of Alto Paraíso.

How to choose where to stay in Chapada dos Veadeiros

When it comes to deciding where to stay in Chapada dos Veadeiros, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Your choice will depend on the attractions you want to visit, the kind of atmosphere you’re looking for, and practical factors like how long your trip is and whether you’ll have a car.

Below, I’ll break down the main characteristics, pros, and cons of each of the top areas to stay in Chapada dos Veadeiros. I’ll also give recommendations of specific accommodation that I liked or that have very good reviews in each location. But if you want the quick version, here’s a summary:

Alto Paraíso
Offers the best tourist infrastructure, a wider range of accommodation and restaurants, and generally better prices. Most tour agencies in the region are based here. In my opinion, it doesn’t have much charm. It also attracts a crowd interested in spirituality and UFO culture. There’s a bus station there (unlike the other towns).

São Jorge
With rustic charm and a more alternative vibe, this small village has a kind of “hippie-chic” feel. There you’ll find dirt roads, cozy boutique stays, and great restaurants. It’s right at the entrance of Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park, which you can walk to (or easily catch a ride). There’s no bus station or gas station. Accommodation tends to be more expensive than in Alto Paraíso.

Cavalcante
This is the most populated town in the region, but tourism is less developed here. It’s close to some of the most beautiful attractions, including the famous Santa Bárbara waterfall, as well as more off-the-beaten-path spots and the Kalunga quilombola community. It’s hard to explore the area without a car. Since accommodation options are more limited, it’s best to book in advance.

Why (and where) to stay in Alto Paraíso

Alto Paraíso de Goiás is the top choice for most travelers in Chapada dos Veadeiros. Of all the towns mentioned earlier, it’s the closest to Brasília (about 230 km / 143 miles) and the only one with a bus station. I spent three nights there and it was great.

Getting there from Brasília is easy: the bus ride with Real Expresso takes around 4 hours and currently costs about 60 BRL. By car, it’s less than a 3-hour drive.

Alto Paraíso offers the best infrastructure in the region. Along its main avenue, Ary Valadão Filho, you’ll find restaurants for all budgets, bars, banks, supermarkets, shops, tour agencies, and more.

When it comes to accommodation, it’s the most diverse location in Chapada dos Veadeiros. You’ll find everything from hostels and campsites to fully equipped vacation rentals, as well as guesthouses ranging from simple to charming and upscale. Some are located near the town center, while others are farther out — great if you have a car.

Besides attracting travelers interested in waterfalls and hiking, Alto Paraíso is also known for its strong connection to spirituality and UFO culture. The town is considered an “energy hub” due to its abundance of quartz crystals and its location on the 14th parallel — the same latitude as Machu Picchu — which holds special meaning for various mystical traditions.

Over the years, several spiritual groups have settled in the area, and people from all over Brazil and the world have moved there drawn by its mystical vibe. There are also many reports of UFO sightings in the region.

Because of this, you’ll find plenty of esoteric shops selling crystals, spiritual items, alien-themed souvenirs, and even Indian-style clothing. There are also many people offering alternative therapies and spiritual experiences. Restaurants often have healthy and vegan options.

I personally loved the cafés, markets, and restaurants in town, especially Café com Graça, Empório Santa Maria, and the famous pastel at Vendinha bar.

From Alto Paraíso, it’s easy to visit several great attractions, including the Loquinhas waterfalls complex, Cristais waterfall, Anjos e Arcanjos waterfalls, Fazenda São Bento (home to Almécegas I and II and São Bento waterfalls), Macaquinhos, and the Aldeia Multiétnica, among others.

If you’re traveling without a car and plan to join guided tours, Alto Paraíso is the best place to stay in Chapada dos Veadeiros, since most tour agencies are based there.

Best pousadas (guest houses) in Alto Paraíso

Casa da Lua is one of the top pousadas in Alto Paraíso. It’s a great choice if you have a higher budget or are celebrating a special occasion. The property features a beautiful pool, highly praised breakfast and service, and a luxurious suite with a hot tub.

Pousada Meu Talento is another stylish option, also offering a suite with a hot tub, a heated pool, very comfortable rooms, and an excellent location close to Ary Valadão Filho Avenue.

Pousada Casa de Shiva is also stunning, with an amazing breakfast, pool, sauna, and even visits from friendly macaws. Its location is ideal if you have a car, just a few minutes from the main avenue.

Pousada Alfa e Ômega is a more affordable yet comfortable option. The décor is inspired by Indian aesthetics, and the location is excellent.

Budget accommodation in Alto Paraíso

If you’re looking for affordable places to stay in Chapada dos Veadeiros, Alto Paraíso has plenty of options.

I stayed at Pousada Beija-Flor and found it to have great value for money. It’s located on a side street off the main avenue, within easy walking distance. The atmosphere is lovely, and the breakfast is delicious. I did have some communication issues during booking, but everything went smoothly once I arrived.

Pousada dos Guias is quite well known in Alto Paraíso. It’s located one block from the main avenue, about 800 meters from the bus station, and has a pool. Guests also praise the breakfast.

Tapindaré Hotel offers good value for money. It’s not particularly charming and can be a bit noisy, but it’s located right on the main avenue and is known for its cleanliness.

If you want to save even more, or if you’re traveling solo or want to meet other travelers, it’s worth checking out hostels too. Hostel Gentileza, for instance, has an excellent location and a 9.3 rating on Booking, with options for female-only and mixed dorms.

Why (and where) to stay in São Jorge

If you ask me where to stay in Chapada dos Veadeiros based on my personal taste, I won’t hesitate: São Jorge. I spent seven nights there and absolutely loved it. The few bars, cafés, and restaurants are all super charming, and the starry night sky is an attraction in itself.

The village is small and welcoming, with unpaved streets and a more alternative vibe that I personally love — especially when you’re surrounded by nature, which is exactly what Chapada dos Veadeiros is all about.

As I’ve mentioned before, São Jorge belongs to the municipality of Alto Paraíso, but it’s about 37 km (23 miles) from the town center. In the past, getting there involved dirt roads, but now access is easy via a paved road. From Brasília, it’s about 260 km (162 miles).

There’s no bus station or gas station in São Jorge. If you’re driving, make sure to fill up your tank in Alto Paraíso — or, even better, leave Brasília with a full tank or refuel in São João d’Aliança, where gas is usually cheaper.

Since I didn’t have a car, I took a bus to Alto Paraíso and then shared a taxi to São Jorge. Hitchhiking is also common in the area, and people often arrange rides through Facebook groups like Conexão Chapada.

As far as I could tell, the village has just one supermarket, a small convenience store, and one or two pharmacies. In general, everything is a bit more expensive there, from groceries to accommodation and restaurants. Still, I highly recommend spending at least two nights in São Jorge if it fits your itinerary.

There are some really lovely spots, like the coffee shop Iluminarte Café and the restaurant Santo Cerrado Risoteria.

One of the biggest advantages of staying in São Jorge is that the entrance to Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park is practically inside the village, about 1 km (0.6 miles) from the center. You can easily walk there or hitch a quick ride along the road.

The park alone is worth at least two full days, as it offers two main hiking routes. On top of that, nearby attractions include Vale da Lua, Cachoeira do Segredo, Raizama, Mirante da Janela, and Fazenda Volta da Serra (home to Cordovil waterfall and Poço das Esmeraldas).

If you’re traveling without a car and want to explore independently, like I did, São Jorge is the best place to stay in Chapada dos Veadeiros. You can walk to the national park and easily find rides to nearby attractions.

Best pousadas in São Jorge

Accommodation options in São Jorge are more limited than in Alto Paraíso, but there are still some great places to stay.

Pousada Casa das Flores came highly recommended by people I met there. It looks very charming and cozy, with a well-reviewed breakfast and a great location.

Caminho das Cachoeiras is another solid option, especially known for its leisure area. It’s slightly outside the village center but still within easy walking distance.

Pousada da Villa is a newer and more affordable option. It doesn’t include breakfast, but it’s comfortable and well located.

Budget accommodation in São Jorge

Namasté Pousada e Terapias offers great value for money, with an excellent vegan breakfast (praised even by non-vegans) and very friendly service.

Pousada Mundo Dha Lua is simple but very cozy, with a generous breakfast and an excellent location.

Pousada Nenzinha is located right on the main street, in the same space as a delicious self-service restaurant. The common area is full of plants and very pleasant, though relatively simple. It can get a bit noisy during the day due to the restaurant, but it’s still highly rated (9.0 on Booking).

Why (and where) to stay in Cavalcante

Cavalcante is the most populated town in Chapada dos Veadeiros, but among the three main bases, it’s the least touristy. It’s a destination that’s still being “discovered” by many travelers. It’s located about 90 km (56 miles) from Alto Paraíso and 310 km (193 miles) from Brasília.

If you have a car and plan to spend at least five days in Chapada dos Veadeiros — or if you prefer exploring places that are a bit off the typical tourist trail — it’s definitely worth including at least one night in Cavalcante.

In the surrounding area, you’ll find some of the region’s most famous attractions, like Santa Bárbara Waterfall (which became an Instagram sensation), as well as lesser-visited gems like Rei do Prata and Capivara waterfalls. Some people do day trips to these spots from Alto Paraíso, but it can be quite tiring.

Another highlight of staying in Cavalcante is the chance to visit or even stay in the Kalunga community, a historic quilombola (Afro-Brazilian) community.

I didn’t stay there myself because I didn’t have a car, and in that case it’s not the most practical base. It’s much harder to find rides or join group tours a round there compared to Alto Paraíso. But it’s definitely at the top of my list for a future trip, since I’ve only heard great things about the area.

Accommodation in Cavalcante is usually more affordable, but it’s worth noting that tourist-oriented services like restaurants and shops are still more limited. Personally, I see that as a positive: with less mass tourism, it’s easier to connect with local life and support businesses run by people from the region.

Where to stay in Cavalcante: accommodation tips

The value for money in Cavalcante is generally very good. One great choice is Chalés Pássaros do Cerrado, which offer private kitchens, balconies, and barbecue areas.

If you’re looking for budget accommodation in Chapada dos Veadeiros, there are also great options in Cavalcante, such as Pousada da Ana and Pouso do Beija-Flor.

How to stay in Chapada dos Veadeiros for free

Did you know you can stay in Chapada dos Veadeiros without paying for accommodation?

One option is volunteering through Worldpackers, which I’ve done a few times and totally recommend. On this platform you’ll find opportunities to exchange a few hours of work per week for accommodation and other perks, such as meals and tours — not to mention the cultural immersion and life experience you gain along the way.

There are some great volunteering opportunities in both Cavalcante and Alto Paraíso, with roles ranging from gardening to hostel reception.

When signing up, use the coupon code JANELASABERTAS and get USD 10 off any plan. To learn more, check out the guide on work exchange programs that I wrote based on my experiences traveling through the platform.

So, have you decided where to stay in Chapada dos Veadeiros? If you still have questions, feel free to leave a comment!

And just a quick note: if you book your stay through the links in this post, Janelas Abertas earns a small commission at no extra cost to you. Transparency is a core value around here 💛