How to get to Lagoa Santa

Lagoa Santa, in the state of Goiás, Brazil, sits in the southern corner of the state, far from the major highways, and that is what keeps the town quiet. Access is by state highways, from Itajá (20 km) via GO-302 or GO-206, with a few hours of two-lane road and stretches with no cell signal. Below are the driving routes, the bus journey, the airports and the tips that keep the trip trouble-free.

By car

A car is the most practical way to get there and to move around the region, since there are no regional flights and no urban transit. From Goiânia, the route follows BR-060 to Rio Verde and, from there, state highways: GO-174, GO-422 to Caçu, GO-206 to Itarumã, GO-178 to Itajá and GO-302 to Lagoa Santa. It is about 430 km, roughly 6 hours.

Times assume state-highway speeds with no traffic. Check the route on your GPS before leaving, especially on the routes through Mato Grosso do Sul, which have more than one road option. More towns and distances in distances.

By bus

There is no direct bus line to Lagoa Santa from the state capitals. The way in is to reach Itajá and cover the final 20 km with local transportation. Step by step:

1. Goiânia → Itajá. Buses to Itajá leave the Goiânia bus terminal in the late afternoon, around 5 p.m., Sunday through Friday. Confirm times, company and fare by calling the terminal at (62) 3240-0000 (from abroad: +55 62 3240-0000). It is an overnight trip, arriving in Itajá in the early hours or early morning.
2. Itajá → Lagoa Santa. In Itajá, ask about local transportation: taxi, van or a pickup arranged with your guesthouse. It is 20 km on GO-302, about 20 minutes. Best to arrange it with your lodging before the trip.
3. Arriving. The Lagoa Santa bus station can be reached at (64) 3648-1439. Check the return times to Itajá as soon as you arrive, because there are few.

Travelers coming from São Paulo or Campo Grande by bus can get off in Paranaíba (MS) and arrange transportation to Lagoa Santa (75 km). It is also possible to reach Rio Verde, which has a large bus terminal, and continue to Itajá.

By plane

There is no commercial airport and no regional flights in Lagoa Santa or the neighboring towns. The nearest airports are:

• Goiânia (GYN), about 430 km away, with the widest choice of flights and rental-car companies;
• Campo Grande (CGR), about 470 km away;
• Brasília (BSB), about 640 km away.

From any of them, the plan is to rent a car and follow the routes in the table. Book ahead during vacation periods and prefer models with good ground clearance if you intend to visit farms and fishing spots on dirt roads.

Road tips

• Fuel. There are gas stations in Itajá and Lagoa Santa, but with reduced hours and, at times, not every type of fuel. Arrive with a comfortable amount in the tank.
• Cell signal. Long stretches of GO-206, GO-178 and GO-302 have no coverage. Download the regional map in your app before leaving and let someone know your expected arrival time.
• Animals on the road. Capybaras, anteaters, rheas and loose cattle appear on the highway, especially between dusk and dawn. Avoid driving at night; if unavoidable, slow down and do not count on warning signs.
• Rain. From October to March, late-afternoon downpours cut visibility to almost zero for a few minutes. Pull onto the shoulder or into a gas station and wait it out; it usually passes quickly.
• Road surface. Two-lane highways with stretches of uneven asphalt and narrow shoulders. Overtake only with full visibility.
• Tolls. Check your GPS for toll plazas along the way, especially on BR-060 and the São Paulo state highways, and bring a card or toll tag.
• Car in good shape. Check tires, spare, jack and warning triangle. The nearest repair shop with parts may be dozens of kilometers away.

Getting around town

Lagoa Santa is small and flat: from downtown to the Rio Aporé is a few minutes on foot, and the guesthouses, restaurants and shops are on a handful of streets. There is no urban bus, and none is needed. Thermas Lagoa Santa, where the lagoon is, sits on GO-302 at the entrance to town; you can get there on foot, by bike or by car, and some lodgings offer a shuttle. For fishing spots and farms outside the center, you need a car or an arrangement with your guesthouse.