📝 Episode Summary: In this episode of the GoNOMAD Travel Podcast, Max takes us deep into Brazil’s interior for a road trip to Chapada dos Veadeiros — a wild, luminous UNESCO wonderland of waterfalls, quartz-rich plateaus, and golden savanna skies. From the bureaucratic grid of Brasília to the rolling cerrado, this is Brazil at its most primal and beautiful.

We explore the three key bases — Alto Paraíso, São Jorge, and Cavalcante — each offering a different flavor of adventure, comfort, and access to Brazil’s best waterfalls. You’ll hear practical tips on logistics, car rentals, e-SIMs, and why you should never skip Jardim de Maytrea at sunset. Plus: where to stay, what to eat, and how to hike smart.

Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned trail-hopper, this episode delivers an unvarnished guide to doing Chapada right — no brochure talk, just local knowledge and a few hard-earned lessons.

🌄 Highlights Include:

1. What makes Chapada dos Veadeiros so otherworldly
2. Why renting a car is non-negotiable
3. The best time to visit (May–September)
4. Choosing your base: comfort, trails, or remote gems
5. Must-see waterfalls: Santa Bárbara, Loquinhas, Vale da Lua, and more
6. Food stops that surprise and delight
7. Safety tips, gear advice, and how to stay connected off-grid

📍 Locations Mentioned:

1. Brasília
2. Alto Paraíso de Goiás
3. São Jorge
4. Cavalcante
5. Jardim de Maytrea
6. Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park

🧭 Travel Tips:

1. Use Discover Cars for rentals
2. Get travel insurance and a reliable e-SIM
3. Bring cash and hiking shoes
4. Always ask locals before swimming
5. Santa Bárbara requires a guide

Find our more about this part of Brazil from the tour operator who helped us write this episode, TripVista360.com, in Brasilia, Brazil. Felipe Santos, is our contact.

Most Recent Episodes

May 28, 2026

The Magic of Kökar Island's Light and Sea

Host: Max Hartshorne, Editor of GoNOMAD Travel Episode: KÖKAR Island, Åland Archipelago, Finland Guest Insight: Natalie Björk of Brudhäll HotelEpisode SummaryIn this episode, Max travels to...

Listen · 7:54

May 21, 2026

Dharavi Revealed: Beyond the Slumdog Stereotype

Dharavi in Mumbai, India, is one of the most misunderstood places on Earth. For decades, the world has labeled it a slum, a word that flattens a million lives into a stereotype. But today on the...

Listen · 7:33

May 8, 2026

Malaga, Spain, in Andalusia

Meandering in Málaga, SpainIn this episode, we explore Málaga, a warm, walkable, art‑filled city on Spain’s Costa del Sol. GoNOMAD contributor Debbie Garrick shares her March adventure, a trip...

Listen · 7:59

Load More Episodes

Max Hartshorne Podcaster

Max Hartshorne has been the editor and publisher of GoNOMAD Travel in South Deerfield Mass since 2002. He worked for newspapers and other sales positions for 23 years until he finally got what he wanted and became the editor at GoNOMAD. He travels regularly, enjoys publishing new writers, and is proud to be able to truly do exactly what he wanted to do all his life.