Although Mato Grosso is now the biggest producer of soybeans in Brazil and accounts for 12% of the country's total agricultural output, it is still known as the Brazil's Wild West.

The capital Cuiaba is a frontier town. It has few historic or cultural attractions to interest travelers.

However, it's a important starting point for excursions to the Pantanal and the Parque Nacional da Chapada dos Guimaraes.

The park is located 64km northeast of Cuiaba and 800km higher, with numerous attractions like, Veu de Noiva (Bridal Veil) a 85m free-falling waterfall, caverns and bathing spots.

There are also numbers of lodgeslocated at Pantanal just some 50 km away from the city with specialized guide and ecological activities.