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Which is better: Bonito or Caldas Novas?

Short answer

Bonito is in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul (MS), while Caldas Novas is in the state of Goiás (GO): different regions of Brazil. Bonito: rivers so transparent that you float over schools of fish as if you were diving into a natural aquarium; Caldas Novas: the largest hot springs in the world. For this month's weather, Bonito has the edge.

Sources: INMET (updated 2026) · ANP · OpenStreetMap
Most reviewed activity in BonitoTransport Between Campo Grande Airport & Bonito★ 8.4 · 5 reviews · from US$ 45 · via CivitatisSee dates and price →
Bonito Caldas Novas
Best time to visit May → Aug May → Aug
Weather this month 31° · 9 days of rain 33° · 11 days of rain
By car R$ 166 · from Campo Grande R$ 113 · from Goiânia
Ideal stay 3–4 days 3–4 days
Best for Adventure, Family, Relax Family, Relax, Romantic
Choose Bonito if

you want a trip for adventure seekers and families: rivers so transparent that you float over schools of fish as if you were diving into a natural aquarium.

See guide
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
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Where to stay

Where to stay: Bonito or Caldas Novas

The average nightly rate is around R$ 336 in Bonito and R$ 298 in Caldas Novas; what changes in practice is each place's season. Check current prices for your dates before deciding.

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

Pousada Rancho Jarinu in Bonito 9.7 ★★★ · 4 reviews Pousada Rancho Jarinu See on Booking → Wetiga Hotel in Bonito 8.5 ★★★★ · 11 reviews Wetiga Hotel See on Booking →
See all hotels in Bonito

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

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

Frequently asked questions

Bonito or Caldas Novas: which is better?
Bonito is in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul (MS), while Caldas Novas is in the state of Goiás (GO): different regions of Brazil. Bonito: rivers so transparent that you float over schools of fish as if you were diving into a natural aquarium; Caldas Novas: the largest hot springs in the world. For this month's weather, Bonito has the edge.
What is the best time to visit Bonito and Caldas Novas?
The best time to visit Bonito is from May to August; for Caldas Novas, it is from May to August, 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 Campo Grande, Bonito is 300 km (186 mi) and costs about R$ 166 each way (fuel plus tolls); leaving from Goiânia, Caldas Novas is 170 km (106 mi) and costs about R$ 113 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, Bonito or Caldas Novas?
Averaged over the year, Bonito has 8 rainy days a month and Caldas Novas has 9. Bonito is the drier of the two over the year as a whole, but what decides the trip is the month: the rainiest month in Bonito is January and in Caldas Novas, December. For temperature, Caldas Novas is the warmer one (average high of 31° versus 30°).
How many days should you spend in Bonito and in Caldas Novas?
To see the main sights without rushing, Bonito calls for 3–4 days and Caldas Novas, 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.
Bonito or Caldas Novas with kids?
Both work with kids: Bonito (crystal-clear waters, ecotourism, and river floating) and Caldas Novas (hot springs, hot pools, and water parks). The choice usually comes down to getting there, not to infrastructure. With small children, weather matters: Bonito has fewer rainy days over the year.
What should you not miss in each?
In Bonito: Gruta do Lago Azul, Rio da Prata (float), Rio Sucuri (float). In Caldas Novas: Hot Park, diRoma Acqua Park, Lagoa Termas Parque. These are the sights that show up most in first-trip itineraries for each destination; the full guide to each has the whole list.