Mato Grosso Plateau
Plateau Extensive Brazilian plateau forming cerrado and savanna ecosystems
The Mato Grosso Plateau rises across Brazil’s interior, offering Cerrado woodlands, river valleys and approach routes toward the Pantanal. Eco-tourists use it as a springboard for wildlife watching, canoe trips and rugged trails.
The Mato Grosso Plateau is a broad upland region in west-central Brazil that forms part of the larger Brazilian Highlands and covers much of the state of Mato Grosso. It consists of elevated plains and escarpments that sit hundreds of metres above surrounding lowlands.
The landscape is dominated by cerrado savanna, seasonal rivers and sandstone escarpments; notable scenic areas within the plateau include the Chapada dos Guimarães with its cliffs and waterfalls. The plateau is also important for hydrology, feeding rivers that drain both north to the Amazon Basin and south toward the Pantanal.
Geologically the plateau is an old landscape shaped by uplift and erosion, and it supports agricultural zones, protected areas and patches of relatively intact cerrado. Human settlement is concentrated around towns and the state capital of Cuiabá, which lies within the plateau region.
The plateau covers much of Mato Grosso state in west-central Brazil and sits between the lowland Amazon to the north and the Pantanal wetlands to the southwest; Cuiabá is the principal city located on the plateau.
- Landscape and hydrology: The plateau forms higher ground that separates the Amazon Basin to the north from the Pantanal wetlands to the southwest, and it supports extensive Cerrado (savanna) vegetation.
What to See #
- Chapada dos Guimarães: Chapada dos Guimarães is a notable upland area and national park within the Mato Grosso Plateau, known for cliffs, waterfalls and scenic viewpoints near Cuiabá.
How to Get to Mato Grosso Plateau #
The plateau is accessed from several cities: Cuiabá is a common gateway for northern Mato Grosso (flights from Brasília and São Paulo). From Cuiabá, roads and regional flights reach park entrances and towns bordering the plateau; distances can be large and some roads are unpaved.
Tips for Visiting Mato Grosso Plateau #
- When planning trips into the plateau for ecotourism or research, coordinate with local operadores and respect protected areas and indigenous lands.
- The plateau is vast; choose a specific region (Pantanal rim, Chapada dos Guimarães) and plan logistics accordingly.
Best Time to Visit Mato Grosso Plateau #
The dry season (May-September) is most practical for travel and wildlife viewing; wet season reshapes the landscape and complicates access.
Weather & Climate near Mato Grosso Plateau #
Mato Grosso Plateau's climate is classified as Tropical Savanna - Tropical Savanna climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 15°C to 33°C. Abundant rainfall (1410 mm/year), wettest in January with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is the warmest month with highs of 31°C and lows of 21°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (209 mm).
Comfort
Weather
February
February is the warmest month with highs of 31°C and lows of 21°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (209 mm).
Comfort
Weather
March
March is warm with highs of 31°C and lows of 21°C. Significant rainfall (195 mm).
Comfort
Weather
April
April is warm with highs of 31°C and lows of 20°C. Significant rainfall (125 mm).
Comfort
Weather
May
May is mild with highs of 30°C and lows of 18°C. Moderate rainfall (61 mm).
Comfort
Weather
June
June is mild with highs of 30°C and lows of 16°C. Light rainfall.
Comfort
Weather
July
July is mild with highs of 30°C and lows of 15°C. The driest month with just 17 mm.
Comfort
Weather
August
August is mild with highs of 32°C and lows of 16°C. Light rainfall.
Comfort
Weather
September
September is warm with highs of 32°C and lows of 18°C. Moderate rainfall (62 mm).
Comfort
Weather
October
October is warm with highs of 33°C and lows of 19°C. Significant rainfall (118 mm).
Comfort
Weather
November
November is warm with highs of 32°C and lows of 20°C. Significant rainfall (176 mm).
Comfort
Weather
December
December is warm with highs of 31°C and lows of 21°C. Significant rainfall (196 mm).
