Caldas Novas

The water here is not volcanic. Rain soaking into the Serra de Caldas granite descends far enough to be heated by the earth's own gradient, then rises back through fractures, emerging at between about thirty-four and fifty-seven degrees - a mechanism that produces one of the largest hydrothermal fields anywhere and supports the concentration of resorts, hotels and water parks that has grown around it. Hundreds of wells now tap the aquifer, enough that extraction has been regulated to protect the level. The Rio Quente complex is nearby and works on the same system. The Serra de Caldas state park protects the recharge area above the town and has trails and waterfalls, which is the only quiet part of the visit.

History

In 1777 Martinho Coelho found the hot springs, first known as Caldas de Piratinga, on the banks of the Caldas river, registered the land and set up a ranch, the Fazenda das Caldas; a little gold drew prospectors, along with people seeking cures in the hot water. Around 1850 another settlement with a church grew up on the other bank near the springs, which became a district in 1857 and a municipality in 1911 (Wikipedia, Caldas Novas).

Highlights

• Heat from depth, not volcanism - water warmed by the geothermal gradient.
• A very large hydrothermal field - the resort concentration built on it.
• Regulated extraction - well drilling controlled to protect the aquifer.
• The Serra de Caldas park - the protected recharge area above the town.

When to go

All year - the water temperature does not change with the season. Three days.

Before you go

This is a resort town of hotels and water parks, not a natural spring destination - almost all access is through paid complexes. Holiday periods are extremely crowded. The town itself has little character. Prices are high in season.

Nearby

Rio Quente is a short drive; Goiania is north-west.