Capital · Brazil
Palmas
Skip unless you're a Tocantins government visitor or a planned-city enthusiast: one day is enough to see the main square and the lake beach.
Palmas is a purpose-built capital founded in 1990, laid out on a grand grid that still feels empty. The main draw is Praça dos Girassóis, a vast plaza with a Niemeyer memorial and the geodesic centre of Brazil. A freshwater lake beach is a short bus ride away. Most travellers use it as a stopover en route to Jalapão or Taquarussu.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- BRL
- Best months
- May–Sep (dry, cooler)
- avoid Oct–Apr (rainy, hot)
- Airport
- PMW
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…
- South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
- South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
- South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
- Brazil ↗US, Canadian and Australian citizens need an e-visa (about US$81 — check) applied for online at the official VFS portal before travel; EU and UK citizens do not. Check your passport with Brazil's Ministry of Foreign Affairs before booking.
- Brazil ↗Yellow fever vaccination is recommended for many areas, including the Amazon and Pantanal; check with a travel clinic at least 10 days before travel.
- Brazil ↗Keep your phone out of sight in the street and on beaches; phone theft is the most common crime against visitors in big cities.
- Brazil ↗Carnival 2027 runs about 5–10 February (Tuesday 9 February; Salvador from 4 February): book Rio, Salvador and Recife/Olinda months ahead or avoid those dates.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Palmas190 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Palmas, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Brazilian real (BRL, R$).Brazil-wide
- SIM or eSIMVivo, Claro and TIM cover the country; buying a prepaid SIM needs a passport and sometimes a CPF — an eSIM before you fly is easier.Brazil-wide
- Tap waterDo not drink tap water; filtered water is provided in most homes and hotels.Brazil-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 10% service (serviço) usually on the bill; optional but normal.Brazil-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/N. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 127 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Brazil-wide
- SafetyPalmas is generally safe for a Brazilian capital, but avoid walking alone at night in empty areas.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPut toilet paper in the bin, not the toilet, in most places.Brazil-wide
- Emergency numbers190 police · 192 ambulance · 193 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysCarnival shuts many businesses for several days; museums often close on Mondays.Brazil-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportPMW Palmas Airport (Brigadeiro Lysias Rodrigues) (About 20 km (12 mi) from centre; taxis and ride apps available).PMW Palmas Airport (Brigadeiro Lysias Rodrigues) (About 12 mi (20 km) from centre; taxis and ride apps available).
- Getting aroundBuses run along the main avenues; taxis and Uber are common.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeR$5–8 (≈ US$1–2)
- BeerBeer (600 ml bottle)R$6–10 (≈ US$2)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi from centre to lake beachcheckR$25–40 (≈ US$5–8)
- Metro or bus rideBus ridecheckR$4–5 (≈ under US$1)
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personR$40 (≈ US$8)
- Mid-range bedDouble room (mid-range hotel), a night, per roomR$180 (≈ US$35)
- High-end bedDouble room (mid-range hotel), a night, per roomR$300 (≈ US$60)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget R$80 (≈ US$15) · Mid R$150 (≈ US$30) · High R$300 (≈ US$60)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- PMW Palmas Airport (Brigadeiro Lysias Rodrigues) (About 20 km (12 mi) from centre; taxis and ride apps available)PMW Palmas Airport (Brigadeiro Lysias Rodrigues) (About 12 mi (20 km) from centre; taxis and ride apps available)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Feb
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Mar
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Apr
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
May
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jun
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jul
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Best
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Sep
Best
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Oct
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Nov
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Dec
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Oct–Apr. Month by month →
Warmest Sep (35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)), coolest Jun (20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C) low), wettest Jan (16 rain days), driest Jul (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Palmas: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
16 rd
Feb
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14 rd
Mar
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
15 rd
Apr
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
10 rd
May
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
5 rd
Jun
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
2 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
1 rd
Aug
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
1 rd
Sep
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
5 rd
Oct
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
10 rd
Nov
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14 rd
Dec
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
16 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Buses run along the main avenues; taxis and Uber are common. The city is spread out, so walking between sights is impractical in the heat.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Taquarussu
goDoor to door: About 40 min
Bus or taxi, about 30 km (19 mi) southBus or taxi, about 19 mi (30 km) south
Small town with waterfalls and hiking trails; half-day trip.
Natividade
cautionDoor to door: About 3 h
Bus or car, about 200 km (124 mi) southeastBus or car, about 124 mi (200 km) southeast
Colonial gold-rush town; better as an overnight stop.
Jalapão
overnightDoor to door: About 4 h
4×4 or organised tour, about 250 km (155 mi) east4×4 or organised tour, about 155 mi (250 km) east
Remote dunes, waterfalls and canyons; minimum 2–3 nights.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Plano Diretor Sul (central)
Closest to Praça dos Girassóis and most hotels.
Plano Diretor Norte
More residential, fewer options; closer to the lake beach.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- R$80–130 (≈ US$15–25) excl. bed
- Mid
- R$130–250 (≈ US$25–50) excl. bed
- High
- R$250 (≈ US$50)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room (mid-range hotel)1 × 1 night × R$180 | R$180 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × R$150 | R$300 |
| Taxi from airport to centre1 × R$60 · check | R$60 |
| Bus to lake beach (return)2 × R$8 · check | R$16 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | R$56 |
| Trip total≈ R$306 per person per day, bed included | R$612≈ US$120 |
2026 estimate in BRL; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | R$5–8 (≈ US$1–2) |
| Lunch (prato feito) | R$18–30 (≈ US$4–6) |
| Beer (600 ml bottle) | R$6–10 (≈ US$2) |
| Taxi from centre to lake beachcheck | R$25–40 (≈ US$5–8) |
| Bus ridecheck | R$4–5 (≈ under US$1) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The city is very spread out: a car or taxi is almost essential.
- Heat is intense from September to April; carry water and sun protection.
- Praça dos Girassóis is huge and exposed; go early morning or late afternoon.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 190
- Ambulance
- 192
- Fire
- 193
Pocket card
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PalmasPalmas
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Para este endereço, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police190
- Ambulance192
- Fire193
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Palmas Airport → centre: about R$60 (≈ US$12) by taxi (check)
- Centre → lake beach: about R$4–5 (≈ under US$1) by bus (check)
Say or show
- Olá — Hello (oh-LAH)
- Obrigado — Thank you (oh-bree-GAH-doo)
- Quanto? — How much? (KWAHN-too)
- Onde fica o ponto de ônibus? — Where is the bus stop? (OHN-jee FEE-kah oo POHN-too jee OH-nee-boos)
Portuguese only; English is rare outside hotels.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Palmas. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep (dry, cooler) · avoid Oct–Apr (rainy, hot) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Palmas
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