Poço Fervedouro

Fervedouro Spring - Fervedouro do Alecrim

Useful Information

Location:	At Jalapão. São Félix do Tocantins, State of Tocantins, Brazil.
Open:	no restrictions. [2014]
Fee:	free. [2014]
Classification:	Karst Spring
Dimension:
Guided tours:
Photography:	Allowed
Accessibility:
Bibliography:
Address:	Poço Fervedouro
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

Description

Poço Fervedouro or Poço do Fervedouro (Fervedouro Spring) is a fantastic place, a turquoise pot with white sand on the ground, surrounded by banana trees. The karst spring wells up from below the sand, fed by a cave stream. The plue colour is a typical result of the high limestone content.

The people bathing in the well are continually pushed up by the flowing water, which creates an eerie floating feeling. To make sure this works, only six people at the same time are allowed in the well. The yield is so high that the swimmers are not able to reach the bottom, even the sand is in a continuous state of floating.

The limestone rich water creates travertine dams in the river below, by depositing the limestone. One of those dams nearby is called Cachoeira da Formiga (Ant Waterfall). It forms a natural pool of crystal clear water and emerald green at its foot. This is also a famous bathing spot.

The Jalapão desert is actually a large Oasis, a transition region between the Caatinga and Cerrado. The numerous karst springs form several rivers, tributaries to the River Tocantins, which make this area the home of diverse flora and fauna. The roads are rather poor, so it is typically travelled by a 4x4 vehicles.