Rio Quente

Rio Quente is unusual in that the whole watercourse is warm, not just a spring - water rises through the base of the Serra de Caldas at around thirty-seven degrees and feeds the river at a very high flow, so it runs at body temperature for its length rather than cooling within metres of a source. The resort complex built on it includes Hot Park, with a wave pool that generates surf on an artificial sand beach several hundred kilometres from the sea, slides, and a section of the natural river left open for bathing. Everything is inside the resort perimeter and sold as day tickets or packages. Around it is cerrado, with the Serra de Caldas state park protecting the recharge area shared with Caldas Novas.

What to look for

• A river that runs warm - around thirty-seven degrees along its length.
• A wave pool inland - artificial surf on a built beach far from the sea.
• Open river bathing - a natural section kept for swimming.
• Cerrado around the complex - the protected recharge area above.

When to go

All year. Two days.

Things to know

Access is essentially only through the resort - there is no independent public river bathing. Holiday periods are extremely busy with long queues. Prices for tickets and food inside are high. There is nothing else in the immediate area.

Nearby

Caldas Novas is a short drive; the Serra de Caldas park is above both.