Aporé (GO): the municipality that names the river

Aporé is a small municipality in southwestern Goiás that lends its name to the most important river for Lagoa Santa. The Aporé River, or Rio do Peixe (Fish River), runs about 200 km between rapids and calm pools until it flows into the Paranaíba, and it is in the region of Aporé and its neighbors that its headwaters and best-known waterfalls are found. For visitors to Lagoa Santa, Aporé is less a support base and more a destination for the curious: the town that explains the river's name.

Town facts

Like Itajá, Aporé is a municipality with a large territory and a small population: almost 3,000 km² for just over 4,000 inhabitants. The economy is rural, with cattle and grain crops, and the town itself has only a few streets.

The name and the river

Aporé comes from an indigenous expression translated as "river of fish", which matches the other name by which the river is known, Rio do Peixe. The abundance of fish is real to this day: the Aporé is one of the most sought-after sport fishing rivers on the Goiás–Mato Grosso do Sul border, and Lagoa Santa holds its Fishing Festival on it. The river forms the border between the two states for much of its course and, near Lagoa Santa, receives the overflow of the thermal lagoon through a channel. Everything about the river is on Aporé River.

The municipality was created on November 14, 1958, when southwestern Goiás was still sparsely settled. Its proximity to Chapadão do Céu and Serranópolis puts Aporé near plateau areas, with springs and waterfalls that feed the upper Aporé.

What to see in and around Aporé

• Waterfalls of the region. The river's best-known falls, such as the Salto do Aporé and the Cachoeira do Socorro, are in the neighboring municipality of Cassilândia (MS). Within Aporé, ask at the City Hall about falls and bathing spots on rural properties, as access usually depends on permission.
• The town. Square, church and street shops, with the pace of inland Goiás.
• Plateau roads. For lovers of cerrado landscapes and open horizons, the stretch toward Chapadão do Céu is worth the trip.

There is no record of established tourist infrastructure in Aporé; treat the visit as a discovery trip, with a full tank and a whole day set aside.

Why Aporé matters to visitors to Lagoa Santa

• Curiosity and history. It is the municipality that names the river. Anyone who likes to understand the geography of where they are will enjoy the trip.
• Fishing. Anglers who already know the Lagoa Santa stretch sometimes explore the river further upstream, toward Aporé and Cassilândia. Confirm access and rules on Fishing in Lagoa Santa.
• Alternative route. For those going to or coming from Chapadão do Céu or Emas National Park, Aporé is on the way.
• Support. Limited: Aporé is a small town. For a hospital, banks and a wide range of shops, use Paranaíba or Quirinópolis. To refuel, prefer Itajá or Cassilândia and do not count on a gas station being open at night.

How to get from Lagoa Santa to Aporé

The distance is approximately 110 km, and the route goes through Itajá, heading west toward the upper Aporé. As part of the way may be on unpaved or lightly paved road, check the route on your GPS and ask about conditions at the CIAT, (64) 3640-1224, or the Itajá City Hall, (64) 3648-7500. Travel by day, with a full tank, water and snacks. In the rainy season (October to March), avoid dirt stretches in a low car.