The Rio Cristalino runs through Parque Estadual do Cristalino and is navigable along its entire length, despite numerous submerged rocks and small rapids. The Rio Nhandu provides another specific point of reference for Novo Mundo’s landscape: it forms the eastern boundary of the protected area. Rivers, the protected area, and the route between road and waterway are therefore among the defining themes of a trip to the region.
Rivers and routes in Novo Mundo
The Rio Nhandu has potential for adventure tourism, sport fishing, and sightseeing in Novo Mundo. The MT-419 runs from the municipal seat of Novo Mundo to the Rio Nhandu, where the river forms the eastern boundary of Parque Estadual Cristalino. The road thus provides a specific reference point for navigating the protected area.
The park can also be reached by water from the Rio Teles Pires. Several suitable locations are used to launch small boats, which can travel from there to the mouth of the Rio Cristalino. If you plan this water route, check in advance which options are currently available. Road and water access are separate reference points: the MT-419 runs to the Nhandu, while the water route starts at the Teles Pires and leads to the mouth of the Cristalino.
A protected area with diverse vegetation
Parque Estadual do Cristalino is located in the Amazon biome, spans Alta Floresta and Novo Mundo, and belongs to the “Proteção Integral” category. Its purposes include protecting areas identified as priorities for conserving the biological diversity of the Amazon biome, expanding scientific knowledge, and promoting ecotourism because of the quality of its natural attractions.
The park’s vegetation comprises five designated types: 28% wooded savanna (Cerradão), 27% dense submontane rainforest with an emergent canopy, 20% submontane seasonal semideciduous forest with an emergent canopy, 16% open savanna without gallery forest, and 9% open submontane rainforest with lianas. These proportions show the range of forest and savanna forms described. A rapid ecological assessment classified the park as very species-rich in 2002.
Watercourses, terrain, and other protected areas
97% of the park’s area consists of parts of the sub-basins of the Rio Cristalino (42%), the Rio Rochedo (40%), and the Rio Nhandu (15%). The park’s terrain ranges from flat and gently rolling to strongly rolling and mountainous.
Novo Mundo is also home to the private nature reserve Reserva Particular do Patrimônio Natural Cristalino. It is also located in the Amazon biome and, like the state park, belongs to the “Proteção Integral” category.
Designated tourist attractions
Parque Estadual do Cristalino is one of the designated tourist attractions in Novo Mundo. A municipal tourism designation from 2017 also lists Olho da Xuxa as a tourist attraction. These two named destinations complement the rivers and protected areas as points of reference for planning your trip.
Discover more destinations: Marcelândia, Alta Floresta, Santo Antônio do Leverger, Alto Araguaia, Jaciara, Nortelândia, Coxim, São Gabriel do Oeste
For the broader travel overview: Mato Grosso.
