Location/Transportation
Getting There
The city of Cáceres is located in an area known as the Alto Paraguai, in south-west central Mato Grosso, just 100 kms. east of the Bolivian border, and 220 km. west of Cuiabá, the state capital. It is the uppermost port on the Rio Paraguai and in the northern reaches of the large wetlands known as the Pantanal. The state of Mato Grosso is in the Center-West (Centro-Oeste) region of Brazil. Cáceres is quite near to the Geodesic center of South America.
The Highway
Normal access to Cáceres is by road, specifically the Federal highway BR070 from Cuiabá and Várzea Grande (where the big airport is located). Driving time is approximately 3 hours. Leaving Cáceres to the west, the highway crosses the Paraguay River and soon splits; BR070 continues west to San Matias on the Bolivian side of the international border, and north-westerly as BR174 to Porto Velho in Rondonia. Cuiabá is connected by road to the rest of Brazil; BR163 running south through Mato Grosso do Sul to the South and Southeast regions; BR070 and BR060 through Goais and Brasilia to the North-East; and the new (largely unpaved) BR163 north to Santarém, Manaus and Amazonia.
The Cuiabá/Várzea Grande Airport
The Marechal Rondon International Airport (CGB) serves Cuiabá, the state capital, and is located southwest across the river in Várzea Grande. The airport receives travelers from many Brazilian cities but sees few flights from outside the country. The airport is split into two terminals. The arrival has a baggage area, a tourist information desk, car rental agencies and fixed fare taxis. The other terminal has ticketing, an exchange and a departure lounge downstairs. Upstairs is a food court, news and book stand, shops and a post office. Out front are several ATMs that accept foreign bank and credit cards.
City Bus to Rodoviária from Airport
There is a city ômnibus that runs from the airport to the main bus station in Cuiabá. Buses leave there to just about everywhere in Brazil and Mato Grosso, including the nearby (64km) municipo and Parque National da Chapadas dos Guimarães. There are several inexpensive hotels across the street. The bus stop is outside the airport proper on the frontage road just beyond the NE corner of the parking lot. The fare is just over a dollar, maybe R$2,20. The bus goes close by but not through the centro of Cuiabá. Tell the bus driver or fare collector where you want to get off.
Airport Hotels
Examples near the airport: the Hotel Las Velas, across the street, Wi-Fi, less than R$175; the Diplomata Hotel 300 meters north, Wi-Fi, less than R$150; Hotel Portal da Amazônia, 800 meters north, less than R$100; all provide transport to and from the airport.
Vans, Omnibuses and Rental Cars
Most tourists arrive in Cuiabá on flights from the south in the late morning. This will leave you plenty of time to get a hotel and rest a bit before a night out in Cuiabá or proceed directly to Cáceres. If you have arranged for a guided tour of the Pantanal or stay at an eco-lodge there will likely be transportation waiting for you.
Vans - (Van ou Microônibus) - Short-haul intercity transportation by van has become increasingly popular. These provide pick up at your location in one city and drop off at your desired location in another for a set price. At this writing, pick up at the airport and drop off at a hotel in Cáceres costs US$22. It is convenient and usually cheaper than the regular bus as you don’t have to take taxis at either end. Unfortunately the van can carry up to 20 passengers and they all must be picked up and dropped off as well. Like many things in Brazil it requires a little patience and a sense of humor.
The two Van companies are Mato Grosso Turismo; Cuiabá:3684-5118/Cáceres:3223-8133; and Centro Oeste Tur; Cuiabá:3634-5151/Cáceres:3223-4691. You can buy a card with credits at the knickknack kiosk upstairs in the departure terminal to operate the pay phones or con someone at the tourist desk to call for you.
Bus - (Ômnibus) - Brazil has an excellent bus transport system. Buses leave main bus station (Rodoviária) in Cuiabá for Cáceres at regular intervals from the morning through midnight with short stops at the port (Porto) and Várzea Grande. Leaving the airport one can get a taxi to the VG Rodoviária and catch the bus from there. From Cáceres to the airport the bus can drop you at the gas station (Posto) that is only a short taxi ride to the terminal. With the current popularity of the vans the buses rarely fill up except on big holidays. The bus is maybe a little cheaper than the van excluding any taxi fares, but can be faster and has a bathroom. Try to get a bus going to the old bus station (Rodoviária Velha) in Cáceres. It’s in the Centro. The best bets are the bus lines Real Norte and Transjao.
Rodoviária Velha - The Old Bus Station in Cáceres is located in the Centro close to the main Praça, cathedral, shopping districts, university, and budget hotels. This terminal handles intra-state transportation to surrounding municipalities such as Barra do Bugres, Salto do Céu, Pontes e Lacerda, Villa Bela and the state capital in Cuiabá. Minibuses leave here for the Corixa, the international border at San Matias, Bolivia (100km).
Rodoviária Nova - The New Bus Station in Cáceres is a good distance from the city center. It handles inter-state bus lines especially those originating and terminating in Rondonia and Acre. From here there are buses to Goiana, Brasilia, São Paulo, Parana, Forteleza and connections to all the rest of Brazil.
Car Rental - (Aluguel de Carro) - Driving in Brazil can be challenging and somewhat dangerous. Extreme vigilance to road conditions and defensive driving techniques are required. Avoid driving at night on the highway. Outside the costal tourist meccas it is advised to carry an Inter-American Driving Permit. Brazil does not recognize the International Driving Permit. Inside the arrival terminal at the airport you will find locadoras de carros such as Avis www.avis.com.br, Hertz www.hertz.com.br and Localiza www.localiza.com . There are others outside on the periphery of the airport. In Cáceres Localiza is located on Avenida São Luis (BR070) near the bridge.
