Jalapão is one of those hidden gems that few get the chance to experience. Just a few hours from Palmas, it’s a remote and breathtaking region with golden sand dunes, crystal-clear springs (called fervedouros), waterfalls, and canyons. It’s the kind of place that’s worth spending at least 3 days exploring with a local tour. Nature at its best!

Just 30 minutes from Palmas, Taquaruçu is a charming village surrounded by lush forest and over 80 beautiful waterfalls. You can hike, swim, or zipline your way through nature. Great for a day trip or a peaceful overnight stay close to the city!

Right in Palmas, Praia da Graciosa is a riverside beach perfect for a lazy afternoon. Enjoy calm waters, scenic sunsets, local food stalls, caipirinhas and live Brazilian music. Great spot to unwind with a drink and soak up the Tocantins vibe!

Ilha do Canela is a small island on Lago de Palmas, perfect for a day of swimming, relaxing, and sipping cold drinks by the water. You’ll need a boat or tour to get there, but once you arrive, it’s all hammocks, sunshine, and that laid-back island vibe. Think rustic paradise, Brazilian-style.

Craving some joyful Brazilian chaos? Hit the street markets.

Feira do Bosque (Sundays) has food, music, crafts, and tacacá — the tingly soup you didn’t know you needed. You will also find items made of Capim Dourado, a golden-colored grass that grows only in this part of Brazil.

Feira da 304 Sul (Fridays) is smaller but still packed with food stalls offering espetinhos, fresh juices, and unexpected delights you didn’t know you needed.

Go hungry. Get messy. Leave happy.

Dona Maria Lounge is a stylish beachfront spot located on the sands of Praia da Graciosa in Palmas. It often has live music and it's a great place to unwind.

If you’re looking for a good dining experience in Palmas, Mercatto is a good choice.

(Please keep in mind that they have two locations)

Known for its classic regional dishes, Cabana do Lago is a favourite.

If you're in the mood for a more refined dinner with good wine and Italian flavours, Grand Cru is a lovely option in Palmas. It’s part wine bar, part restaurant, and all about that vino e pasta vibe.

If you’re ready to fully lean into the Brazilian churrasco experience, Portal do Sul is the place. It’s a classic rodízio-style churrascaria, which means the waiters will keep bringing you meat until you physically beg them to stop.

Tip: flip your little sign to red when you need a break, or just want to breathe. Flip it back to green when you're emotionally prepared for more meat.

Being away from pamonha has been one of the greatest hardships of Bela's life in Australia, and trust us, she won’t shut up about it. So naturally, we had to include Pamonharia Paraíso on the list.

If you’ve never had pamonha before, imagine sweet, creamy corn goodness filled with cheese, wrapped in a corn husk, like a warm hug from the universe.

Pamonharia Paraíso makes it fresh and traditional, just the way it's meant to be. It's simple, it’s comforting, and according to Bela, it’s probably what heaven tastes like.

This one’s personal. Dog Roma isn’t just a hot dog place, it’s a rite of passage. For me (hi, it’s Bela), this was the place to go after a party. Like, the kind of place where you show up at 3am slightly emotional, very hungry, and leave full of questionable life choices but never regret.

They serve Brazilian-style hot dogs, which are not like the ones you might be used to. We're talking two sausages, mashed potatoes, corn, shredded chicken, cheese, crispy potato sticks, and of course — the iconic green mayo. Don’t ask what’s in it. Just trust the process.

Köwa Hamburgueria is a spot for gourmet-style burgers with a Brazilian twist.

Having a hot, steaming bowl of soup when the weather is burning hot sounds absolutely ideal...

But seriously, in Brazil, soup (known as caldo) isn’t just food, it’s a way of life. And caldos aren’t your average soups either. They’re thick, creamy, rich bowls of pure happiness, made with things like beans, corn, chicken, cassava, and more. Just trust us.

Fogão à Lenha is a well-known pizzeria in Palmas and they will serve you Brazilian-style pizza (whether you like it or not). Brazilian pizzas are typically loaded with toppings. It’s a bit over the top, sometimes strange, but definitely part of the Brazilian experience. Just don’t ask for pepperoni — it’s not the same thing.

Welcome to the real Brazilian açaí experience, where self-control is optional and piling ridiculous amounts of toppings onto your bowl is basically a national sport.

At Açaí.com, you build your own masterpiece. Grab a bowl, load it up with thick, creamy açaí, and then go wild: fruits, granola, M&M, Nutella, condensed milk, chocolate sprinkles... Boundaries? Never heard of them.

If you happen to be in the mood for Brazilian sushi, try Subarashi. Think cream cheese, strawberries, fried sushi and maybe even Doritos. It is delicious in its own over-the-top way. Go for a combo to try it all, or play it safe with a temaki.

Veleiros do Sol offers a diverse menu featuring Italian, Japanese, seafood, barbecue, and pizza options, so there’s a little something for everyone.

Tucked into the green hills just before Taquaruçu, Chalé Vale do Taquaruçu offers a quiet, cozy escape surrounded by forest and birdsong. It’s the perfect spot to unwind after a day of exploring waterfalls and mountain trails.