Bom Jardim has only recently been put on the list of new tourist destinations in Brazil's western state of Mato Grosso. The main attraction of Bom Jardim is adventure travel. The region's natural scenery of rushing waterfalls, limestone caves and crystalline streams and ponds make it highly attractive for outdoor activities like snorkelling, diving and caving.
Adventure Travel at Bom Jardim
The town's main outdoor activities on offer are:
- Bird watching at Lagoa das Araras, where the "arara amarela" – yellow macaw – roosts.
- Snorkelling in the crystal clear source of Reino Encantado, Aquário Encantado or Rio Tigre.
- Snorkelling at the spectacular Serra Azul Waterfall.
- Diving in the crystalline lake Lagoa Salobão.
- Exploring the Cerquinha Cave and Duto do Quebó Cave.
Entrance fees vary from 10 reais for a visit to Lagoa das Araras to 50 reais for snorkelling or visiting a cave. Snorkelling gear is provided at the location. Travellers need to bring swimming gear, sun lotion, towel and sturdy sandals or tennis shoes which can be worn in the water.
How to Arrange an Adventure Trip at Bom Jardim
The above mentioned outdoor activities are organised by one of Bom Jardim's travel agencies. All entrance fees include a [mandatory] guide and transport between the travel agency and the locations. As the region is a newly developed tourist destination it doesn't receive many foreigners yet, so don't count on an English-speaking guide. Some travel agencies in Nobres and Cuiabá organise excursions to Bom Jardim as well.
The guide’s knowledge of English may be limited to a few words, but with the outgoing and easygoing characters that typify Brazilians one can always make oneself understood. Besides, the guide’s function isn’t so much to explain at great length what there is to see – which is obvious – but is more of a security to preserve the natural surroundings.
Caving at Bom Jardim
There is much more to explore in this area, such as a number of astonishing caves. Lagoa Azul is one of them, much displayed in tourist brochures. Visits without guides in the past by careless visitors have damaged and polluted the caves to the extent that they have been closed down.
Brazilian bureaucracies can't be hurried and the government has been working for years on the creation of a Parque Estadual, which encompasses these caves which – in time – will be open to the public again. With the World Cup Football 2014 taking place in Brazil, and also in Cuiabá, the government has a motive to put an end to the bureaucracies and add this fabulous attraction to Bom Jardim's adventure travel.
For the time being caving remains concentrated around the beautiful coloured Duto do Quebó Cave and the Cerquinha Cave with stalactites and stalagmites.
How to Reach Bom Jardim
- Bom Jardim is located about 130 kilometres north of Cuiabá [take the beautiful road via Lago Manso] and 70 kilometres east of Nobres on Road MT 241.
- A car can be rented in the nearby town of Nobres or in Cuiabá [about 100 reais per day].
- On request transfers can be arranged, either from Cuiabá or Nobres.
- A daily bus plies between Cuiabá and Bom Jardim [30 reais, about 4-5 hours' ride].
Lodging and Food at Bom Jardim
Bom Jardim is a small village but has the tourism infrastructure to receive visitors. There are several pousadas [guesthouses] as well as eateries. For a secluded stay amidst splendid nature, check out Refúgio Porto das Pedras which is located at 25 kilometres from Bom Jardim.
Bom Jardim – a New Destination in Brazil for Adventure Travel
Bom Jardim is one of Brazil's young destinations for adventure travel. It is a good place to enjoy outdoor activities like diving and snorkelling in all peace and quiet before the hordes descend.
Karin-Marijke Vis - Karin-Marijke Vis is a bilingual writer (Dutch-English) who has been traveling in Asia and South America since 2003.
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