The capital of the Mato Grosso State was founded on the discovery of gold on the region by bandeirantes, on the beginning of the XVIII century. From that time, the city keeps the narrow streets that can be seen on the oldest part of the city center. Cuiabá is on the geodetic center of Brazil.
The city is a mandatory stop to those going to visit the natural beauties of the Mato Grosso State, like the Parque Nacional da Chapada dos Guimarães (Chapada dos Guimarães National Park) and the North of Pantanal. A good option is to visit Águas Quentes, which has an aquatic park containing natural thermal water and a vast forest reserve. The city has good restaurants of typical food of Pantanal.
History, culture and environment of the Mato Grosso State can be seen on the Museu de História Natural e Antropologia (Natural History and Antropology History Museum) and on the Museu Rondon (Rondon Museum), dedicated to the indigenous tribes on the region. The Museu do Rio Cuiabá (Museum of the Cuiabá River) is near to the Aquário Natural (Natural Aquarium), where are fishes from the rivers on Mato Grosso. On Zoo there are several species of the Pantanal’s fauna.
Authentic indigenous craftwork, adornment, arc and arrow and ceramics objects can be purchased on Artíndia, shop of the federal institution Funai (Fundação Nacional do Índio – National Foundation of the Indian).
It’s based on fishes of Pantanal, like pacu and pintado. It can be appreciated on good restaurants of the city.
The city has several kinds of hotels. There are tourism and car rental agencies.
Cuiabá is on the Center West region. It’s 1140 km far from Brasilia and 1680 km far from São Paulo. Its airport, 7 km far from the city center, operates with flights from the main Brazilian cities. The road terminal receives buses coming from all Brazilian regions.
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