Tocantins

The state

Tocantins, created in 1988 from the northern part of Goiás, is Brazil's youngest state. Although it belongs to the North region, most of its territory is cerrado savanna, giving way to Amazon forest in the north, and it is framed by two great rivers, the Tocantins and the Araguaia, which splits around Bananal Island. Its heritage runs from 18th-century gold-mining towns such as Natividade to Palmas, a planned capital founded in 1989 on the shores of a reservoir lake. Golden grass crafts, filigree jewellery and cerrado cooking with pequi give the state a distinct identity.

For agencies, Tocantins is primarily an adventure and nature destination. Jalapão, with its orange dunes, waterfalls and spring-fed fervedouros, suits small-group and FIT expeditions in 4x4 vehicles, while the Araguaia, Cantão State Park and Bananal Island offer river, wildlife and fishing programs. Palmas works as the logistical base and a practical venue for small meetings. Distances are considerable and roads into Jalapão are largely unpaved, so itineraries need experienced local drivers and realistic transfer times, ideally in the dry season.