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Which is better: Caldas Novas or Gramado?

Short answer

Caldas Novas is in the state of Goiás (GO), while Gramado is in the Serra Gaúcha (RS): different regions of Brazil. Caldas Novas: the largest hot springs in the world; Gramado: the town of half-timbered architecture, handmade chocolate and hydrangeas. For this month's weather, Gramado has the edge.

Sources: INMET (updated 2026) · ANP · OpenStreetMap
Most reviewed activity in GramadoTicket to Skyglass Canela★ 8.7 · 47 reviews · from US$ 29 · via CivitatisSee dates and price →
Caldas Novas Gramado
Best time to visit May → Aug Aug → Dec
Weather this month 33° · 11 days of rain 24° · 12 days of rain
By car R$ 113 · from Goiânia R$ 71 · from Porto Alegre
Ideal stay 3–4 days 3–4 days
Best for Family, Relax, Romantic Romantic, Food, Family, Relax
Choose Caldas Novas if

you want a trip for families and relaxation: naturally hot pools, water parks and the perfect contrast of a dry Cerrado winter.

See guide
Choose Gramado if

you want a trip for couples and food lovers: mountain chill and Christmas lights almost all year.

See guide
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Where to stay

Where to stay: Caldas Novas or Gramado

The average nightly rate is around R$ 298 in Caldas Novas and R$ 579 in Gramado; what changes in practice is each place's season. Check current prices for your dates before deciding.

Compare hotels and places to stay in Caldas Novas on Booking.com, with up-to-date prices and availability, before you book.

Best Western Suites Le Jardin Caldas Novas in Caldas Novas 9 · 26 reviews Best Western Suites Le Jardin Caldas Novas See on Booking → Acqua Bella Thermas Hotel in Caldas Novas 8.7 ★★★ · 39 reviews Acqua Bella Thermas Hotel See on Booking →
See all hotels in Caldas Novas

Compare hotels and places to stay in Gramado on Booking.com, with up-to-date prices and availability, before you book.

Buona Vitta Gramado Resort & Spa by Gramado Parks in Gramado 9.3 ★★★★★ · 103 reviews Buona Vitta Gramado Resort & Spa by Gramado Parks See on Booking → Hotel Valle Dincanto in Gramado 9.5 ★★★★ · 20 reviews Hotel Valle Dincanto See on Booking →
See all hotels in Gramado

Rates change with the dates: confirm the price on Booking.com.

Frequently asked questions

Caldas Novas or Gramado: which is better?
Caldas Novas is in the state of Goiás (GO), while Gramado is in the Serra Gaúcha (RS): different regions of Brazil. Caldas Novas: the largest hot springs in the world; Gramado: the town of half-timbered architecture, handmade chocolate and hydrangeas. For this month's weather, Gramado has the edge.
What is the best time to visit Caldas Novas and Gramado?
The best time to visit Caldas Novas is from May to August; for Gramado, it is from August to December, based on INMET's climate normals (temperature and rainfall for each month). If your trip already has a date, check each destination's page for your month.
Which of the two is cheaper to get to?
By car, leaving from Goiânia, Caldas Novas is 170 km (106 mi) and costs about R$ 113 each way (fuel plus tolls); leaving from Porto Alegre, Gramado is 115 km (71 mi) and costs about R$ 71 each way (fuel plus tolls). The calculation assumes a car that gets 11 km/L. Lodging and activities vary with each place's season.
Where does it rain less, Caldas Novas or Gramado?
Averaged over the year, Caldas Novas has 9 rainy days a month and Gramado has 11. Caldas Novas is the drier of the two over the year as a whole, but what decides the trip is the month: the rainiest month in Caldas Novas is December and in Gramado, October. For temperature, Caldas Novas is the warmer one (average high of 31° versus 24°).
How many days should you spend in Caldas Novas and in Gramado?
To see the main sights without rushing, Caldas Novas calls for 3–4 days and Gramado, 3–4 days. These are distant regions: with a week or less, it is usually better to pick one of the two and make the most of it.
Caldas Novas or Gramado with kids?
Both work with kids: Caldas Novas (hot springs, hot pools, and water parks) and Gramado (half-timbered architecture, mountain chill, and handmade chocolate). The choice usually comes down to getting there, not to infrastructure. With small children, weather matters: Caldas Novas has fewer rainy days over the year.
What should you not miss in each?
In Caldas Novas: Hot Park, diRoma Acqua Park, Lagoa Termas Parque. In Gramado: Lago Negro, Rua Coberta, Mini Mundo. These are the sights that show up most in first-trip itineraries for each destination; the full guide to each has the whole list.