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Alto Paraíso de Goiás, often shortened to Alto Paraiso (Highland Paradise), is a city in the Brazilian state of Goias. It is the main gateway to the Chapada dos Veadeiros region.

[edit] Get in

It´s located 230 km north of Brasília, you can leave by car going to satelite city Sobradinho and turn left after Planaltina. There are lots of road signs.

[edit] Get around

The city itself is very small and easy, a Main Avenue (Avenida Ary Valadão Filho) starts on the road and cuts through the whole of it. The Bus Station is two blocks to the right of Main Avenue and all the food and shopping options that are not at Main Avenue are close to Bus Station. It´s that simple.

There are a lot of waterfall options around Alto Paraiso (Loquinhas are the closest and coziest, and ther is a hiking trail to Sertão Zen, a little harder), but the best ones are around Vila São Jorge (St. George Village) 42 km west, the gateway to the National Park. There are vans and little difficulty to hitchhike. The road is very scenic, half of it is paved already, but the dirt part can get a little annoying during the rainy season (October-April).

[edit][add listing] See

Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park is a must, its waterfalls are like cathedrals consecrated to Mother Nature. Vale da Lua (Moon Valley) is unbelievable. Morada do Sol (Sun´s Home) is less scenic but easier to small children. São Bento and Almécegas are closer to Alto Paraiso than to São Jorge, in private property with rooms, chalets and camping facilities, ideal for families and romantic couples. There are A LOT more waterfalls, local people will be happy to talk about them.

[edit][add listing] Do

There is a New Age quality about Alto Paraiso, lots of people come there looking for Positive Vibration and alternative stuff. As a rule of thumb, "quiet" people stay here and "party" people stay at São Jorge.

[edit][add listing] Buy

Crystal souvenirs, hippie clothing and pinga de arnica (pinga: strong liquor, arnica: spicy vegetable with medicinal properties)

[edit][add listing] Eat

APG has some options, two pizzarias (Oca Lila and Pizzaria 2000, both are at Main Avenue) and some self-servers too. São Jorge has good food as well.

[edit][add listing] Drink

Bar do Pelé and Bar do Bodinho. Both are in São Jorge, have pool tables and cold beer.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

São Jorge has more options and more action. Most people set camp there.

[edit] Get out

If you don´t enter Alto Paraiso and keep on the road going north, you´ll end at Cavalcante with another hundred waterfalls (try looking for Rei do Prata). If you go through Main Avenue all the way, you´ll end at Vila do Moinho (Mill Village), home to Anjos e Arcanjos (Angels & Archangels waterfall). Both are worth the trip and both trips have very beautiful landscapes.