São Gabriel do Oeste brings together different sides of the destination: a long-standing cultural tradition, festivals with a distinct culinary profile, and natural attractions that offer very different experiences. When planning your visit, it is worth keeping these themes separate: one park has areas for walks and relaxation, while the route to Cachoeira Los Pagos includes a river crossing and a stretch along the edge of a steep cliff.
Festivals and cultural traditions
The Centro de Tradições Gaúchas Chama Crioula, or CTG Chama Crioula for short, was founded on November 19, 1988, in São Gabriel do Oeste, in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul. Its history gives the city’s cultural life a specific point of reference. Those interested in regional traditions can also find events centered on celebrating and sharing a meal.
The Festa do Leitão no Rolete took place in São Gabriel do Oeste in 2025 for its 29th edition. At this edition, spit-roasted suckling pig was served with salads, creamed corn, farofa and other typical side dishes. These food details refer to the 2025 edition; the menu may vary from one edition to another. This also gives the festival a distinct culinary profile: the suckling pig and its side dishes make the meal different from the decorative festivities of Natal Luzes do Cerrado.
In December, Natal Luzes do Cerrado welcomes thousands of people from different parts of Brazil to São Gabriel do Oeste. For the festival, Oficina do Luzes made decorations from reused PET bottles. This activity is documented as part of the festival’s decorations. Together, the two events show different facets of local cultural life: the Festa do Leitão centers on a specific dish and its side dishes, while December and decorations shape the character of Natal Luzes.
Park or waterfall: different experiences of nature
Parque Ecológico Águas do Guarani is located in the center of São Gabriel do Oeste. A 2017 report describes the area as covering about 100,000 m², with diverse vegetation and revitalized bodies of water. The same report lists a free outdoor fitness area, a children’s playground, a walking path, and areas for picnics, relaxation and taking in the surroundings. As this description dates from 2017, it is advisable to check the current condition of the facilities before visiting.
Cachoeira Los Pagos offers a different way to experience the area. The route passes three smaller waterfalls and continues to an 80-meter-high cascade. A 2021 route description explains that, after carefully crossing the riverbed, a path along the edge of a steep cliff leads to the main cascade. The park and waterfall therefore differ not only in their landscapes but also in the route described: the park is for walks, picnics and relaxation, while the waterfall route includes crossing the riverbed. Before traveling, check current route and visitor conditions, as well as possible booking options.
Putting it in context in Mato Grosso do Sul
Looking at Mato Grosso do Sul also provides a broader cultural and landscape context, without equating local attractions with regional destinations. The tradition Modo de Fazer a Viola de Cocho is found in Mato Grosso do Sul and Mato Grosso and was added to IPHAN’s Livro dos Saberes in 2005. It is therefore part of the intangible cultural heritage that extends beyond São Gabriel do Oeste.
Another example of the state’s cultural heritage is Forte de Coimbra, which was listed by IPHAN as a protected heritage site in Mato Grosso do Sul in 1974. The Pantanal adds another perspective to the regional picture: it is the world’s largest floodplain, and about 65 percent of its area lies in Mato Grosso do Sul. In 2000, UNESCO recognized the Pantanal as a biosphere reserve. This context offers a broad framework for planning a trip; the festivals, park and Cachoeira described here remain the specific points of interest in São Gabriel do Oeste.
Discover more destinations: Aquidauana, Aparecida do Taboado, Itaporã, Angélica, Batayporã, Costa Rica.
Back to the main travel guide: Mato Grosso Do Sul.
