Caldas Novas calls for 3 to 4 days, enough time to alternate between the main water parks, relax in the thermal pools and add a hike in the Serra de Caldas or a trip on Lago Corumbá. The window with the best weather runs from May to August: July is the driest month (2 mm and no rainy days), with highs of 30 to 33 °C and lows of 15 to 17 °C. Summer is rainy, with heavy afternoon downpours (up to 272 mm in December, spread over 18 days), though the parks stay open.
What to expect in Caldas Novas
Caldas Novas sits on a rare phenomenon: a blanket of water that wells up naturally hot, between 37 and 57 °C, from beneath the Cerrado (Brazil's tropical savanna) of Goiás. In the 18th century that water drew the bandeirantes (frontier explorers) who were looking for gold and, in the 20th century, turned the town into the largest hot spring complex in the world. Today it is hot-water tourism in its purest form: a town of resorts, water parks and pools that steam on the cool winter mornings.
The climate is that of the Cerrado: warm all year, with two well-defined seasons. Summer, from October to April, is the rainy season, with heavy afternoon downpours and highs near 31 °C. Winter, from May to September, is dry, with blue skies and very low humidity, and that is exactly when the contrast is perfect: warm days, cool nights and thermal water at 37 °C. That is why July, a vacation month and a dry one, is the peak of the season.
The main attraction of Caldas Novas is hot water. The big parks (Hot Park, in neighboring Rio Quente, with an artificial beach and water slides; diRoma, Lagoa and Náutico, in the town itself) bring together thermal pools, swim-up bars and fun for the whole family all day long. For those who want the outdoors, there is the Serra de Caldas, a state park with trails and waterfalls, the Lagoa de Pirapitinga and Lago Corumbá. It is a place to relax in a soak, unhurried and with the kids close by.
Updated on October 19, 2026
Must-sees in Caldas Novas
Hot Park
A thermal water park in neighboring Rio Quente, with an artificial beach, water slides and hot pools; one of the largest in South America.
diRoma Acqua Park
The largest water park within the town, with more than 20 thermal pools, water slides and a swim-up bar.
Lagoa Termas Parque
A traditional club on the shore of Lagoa Quente, with thermal pools, water slides and a leisure area for families.
Náutico Praia Clube
A leisure complex with a wave pool, a waterfall, a zip line and sand courts, near Lago Corumbá.
Lagoa de Pirapitinga
A historic natural spring where the water reaches about 57 °C, famous for almost cooking eggs in minutes.
Serra de Caldas Novas (PESCAN)
A state park that protects the Cerrado and the water sources that feed the hot springs, with trails and waterfalls.
Jardim Japonês
A landscaped space with Eastern inspiration, a traditional spot for photos and outdoor walks.
Lago Corumbá
A large reservoir near the town, popular for boat trips, water sports and bars on the shore.
Best time to visit Caldas Novas
Brazil is in the Southern Hemisphere, so the seasons are the reverse of those in Europe and North America: winter falls between June and August and summer between December and March. In Caldas Novas two seasons rule: the rainy one, from October to April, and the dry one, from May to September. It is hot all year, with highs of 30 °C in May and June, 31 °C in July and up to 34 °C in September, the hottest month. In June and July, the coolest, lows drop to 15 °C. The reference climate data comes from the Goiânia station, in the same Cerrado climate region.
July is the driest month, with 2 mm of rain and no rainy days; it is followed by June (8 mm over 1 day) and August (10 mm over 1 day). The wettest are December (272 mm over 18 days), March (259 mm over 17 days) and January (249 mm over 17 days): the rain falls as heavy afternoon downpours.
With those numbers, the best window to visit runs from May to August, with July as the best month. It is also when the thermal water at 37 °C contrasts with the cool nights. July, a vacation month, is the busiest and most expensive. In summer it rains in the afternoon, but the parks operate normally. These are multi-year averages, not a guarantee for your dates.
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Rainy days | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 31 °C | 20 °C | 249 mm | 17 | Fair |
| February | 31 °C | 20 °C | 236 mm | 16 | Fair |
| March | 31 °C | 20 °C | 259 mm | 17 | Fair |
| April | 31 °C | 19 °C | 138 mm | 9 | Fair |
| May | 30 °C | 17 °C | 30 mm | 3 | Very good |
| June | 30 °C | 15 °C | 8 mm | 1 | Very good |
| July | 31 °C | 15 °C | 2 mm | 0 | Very good |
| August | 33 °C | 17 °C | 10 mm | 1 | Very good |
| September | 34 °C | 19 °C | 44 mm | 4 | Good |
| October | 33 °C | 20 °C | 144 mm | 11 | Fair |
| November | 31 °C | 20 °C | 220 mm | 16 | Fair |
| December | 31 °C | 20 °C | 272 mm | 18 | Fair |
Monthly averages for 1991-2020 from INMET (Brazil's National Institute of Meteorology). The rating combines rainfall, temperature and humidity.
The weather in Caldas Novas, season by season
In summer (December to February), Caldas Novas has highs of around 31 °C (88 °F) and lows of 20 °C (68 °F), and it is the wetter season, with about 252 mm of rain spread over about 17 days a month. The days are hot and call for beach time and shade.
In fall (March to May), Caldas Novas has highs of around 31 °C (88 °F) and lows of 19 °C (66 °F), and it is the wetter season, with about 142 mm of rain spread over about 10 days a month. The days are hot and call for beach time and shade.
In winter (June to August), Caldas Novas has highs of around 31 °C (88 °F) and lows of 16 °C (61 °F), and it is the driest time of year, with about 7 mm of rain a month. The days are hot and call for beach time and shade.
In spring (September to November), Caldas Novas has highs of around 33 °C (91 °F) and lows of 20 °C (68 °F), and it is the wetter season, with about 136 mm of rain spread over about 10 days a month. The days are hot and call for beach time and shade.
Caldas Novas in every month of the year
Weather, crowds, prices and what is happening at the destination in each period. Tap a month to open its full page; the colored dot shows how good the time is for a visit.
Recurring events in Caldas Novas
New Year's Eve in Caldas Novas
New Year's Eve fills the thermal parks and hotels, with concerts and parties. It is one of the peaks of high season.
Recurring annual events: exact dates change every year, so confirm them before you plan your trip.
Getting to Caldas Novas from abroad
The main air access is Goiânia International Airport (Santa Genoveva), code GYN, about 170 km from Caldas Novas. The local airport in Caldas Novas has seasonal flights.
From Goiânia, the overland route is 170 km, about 3 h by car; from Brasília it is 300 km, about 4 h. From the airport you can continue by road transfer, and many hotels and packages offer transfers to the parks.
Routes and airlines change often; the safest approach is to check them when planning your trip.
Hotels in Caldas Novas
Caldas Novas is the town, with most of the hotels and the urban parks. Rio Quente, about 25 km away, is home to the Hot Park complex and the resorts. Many itineraries combine the two municipalities, which share the same hot springs. It pays to choose based on the park that interests you most and to check the operating days of each one. A car helps for getting to Hot Park, in Rio Quente, and to attractions outside the center, such as the Serra de Caldas and Lago Corumbá.
Rates change with the dates: confirm the price on Booking.com.
Practical information for visitors from abroad
Frequently asked questions about Caldas Novas
What is the best time to travel to Caldas Novas?
May to August is the window with the best weather: July is the driest month (2 mm), with sunny days, cool nights and the contrast with the hot water. July, a vacation month, is the busiest and most expensive. Summer, from October to April, is rainy, with afternoon downpours, but the parks operate normally.
Is the water in the pools naturally hot?
Yes. Caldas Novas sits on hot springs that well up from the ground at 37 to 57 °C: the pools in the parks and hotels are fed by that naturally hot water, with no artificial heating. That is what defines the destination.
How many days should you stay in Caldas Novas?
Three to four days are enough to alternate between the main water parks, relax in the hotel pools and still fit in a hike in the Serra de Caldas or a trip to Lago Corumbá.
Is Caldas Novas a good destination for traveling with children?
It is one of the most popular family destinations in the country: water parks with slides, shallow pools, an artificial beach at Hot Park and hotels with leisure areas. The warm water suits all ages.
Are Caldas Novas and Rio Quente the same thing?
They are neighboring municipalities, about 25 km apart, linked by the same hot springs. Caldas Novas is the town, with most of the hotels and the urban parks; Rio Quente is home to the Hot Park complex and the resorts. Many itineraries combine the two.
Do you need a car in Caldas Novas?
It helps, especially for getting to Hot Park, in Rio Quente, and to attractions outside the center, such as the Serra de Caldas and Lago Corumbá. Many hotels and packages offer transfers to the parks.
Other destinations in Brazil
The weather and population data in this guide come from official agencies and open databases. Entry requirements and health recommendations change: always check the official source linked.