Palmas
Palmas is the youngest capital in Brazil and was conceived as a functional and organized city. It lies in the middle of the beautiful cerrado landscapes, and some of its attractions include urban parks, huge city squares, and green areas that make the city even more charming.
Designed by famous Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer, Palmas, the capital of the state of Tocantins, was inaugurated on May 23, 1989. It is the youngest capital in Brazil and was conceived as a functional and organized city right in the middle of the rich landscape of the cerrado biome. Its urban parks, huge city squares, and green areas make the city even more charming.
official event links below.
Coluna Prestes Memorial, by architect Oscar Niemeyer
Among the main attractions in Palmas is Sunflower Square (Praça dos Girassóis), the largest in Latin America and the second largest in the world. The square holds the headquarters of the three state powers, the Coluna Prestes Memorial, the Metropolitan Cathedral, and other must-see attractions.
Cesamar Park is a wonderful place to spend late afternoons. The area includes walking paths, sports grounds and equipment, and entertainment options for children and adults, making it a great attraction for the whole family. The park is also home to the Suçuapara House, the headquarters for the first City Hall and the first Municipal Council in Palmas. The building is currently a museum called The Culture House (Casa da Cultura), which is responsible for documenting the history of Palmas.
Local lake beaches, such as Graciosa, Prata, Caju, Buritis, Arnos, and Ilha Canela (Cinnamon Island) have great infrastructure, including food stands where visitors can enjoy incredible dishes, such as the traditional fried or roasted peacock bass, a typical fish in the region.
And as far as local cuisine goes, some of the most popular dishes include dried-meat paçoca, a typical dish made with few ingredients (shredded fried beef, cassava flour, and salt), and northern fish that are very common in the region, such as pirarucu, peacock bass (tucunaré), and piranhas.
Palmas is located in the heart of Brazil and is the gateway to wonderful natural attractions such as Jalapão, one of Latin America’s most popular ecotourism destinations, and home to the famous crystal-clear karst springs called fervedouros.
By Plane
+55 (63) 3219-3700
Palmas Airport, Brigadeiro Lysias Rodrigues, operates regular flights from the main cities in the country. The international airport closest to Palmas is located in the capital, Brasília.
By Bus
+55 (63) 3228-5688
Road access to the State of Tocantins is mainly through Highway BR-153. There are several companies at the Bus Terminal in Palmas which operate state and interstate bus routes daily.
By Bus
The city offers several intercity bus routes. If you want more information on routes and timetables, please visit SETURB, the transport authority in the city.
Personal Vehicles or Rentals
A good way to get around the city and to visit nearby destinations is to rent a car.
Taxis and Ridesharing Companies
Taxis and ridesharing companies are a comfortable way to get around the city of Palmas.
Useful Numbers
Tourist Information Center:
+55 (63) 2111-2771
Public Security Department:
+55 (63) 3218-1800
Military Police: 190
Paramedics: 192
Fire Department: 193
Power Voltage
220V
Local Weather
The best period to visit Palmas is between the months of July and September, when there is less rain and temperatures drop a little, making the weather more pleasant.