The capital of the Mato Grosso State was founded on the discovery of gold on the region by bandeirantes, on the beginning of the XVIII century. From that time, the city keeps the narrow streets that can be seen on the oldest part of the city center. Cuiabá is on the geodetic center of Brazil. The city is a mandatory stop to those going to visit the natural beauties of the Mato Grosso State, like the Parque Nacional da Chapada dos Guimarães (Chapada dos Guimarães National Park) and the North of Pantanal. A good option is to visit Águas Quentes, which has an aquatic park containing natural thermal water and a vast forest reserve. The city has good restaurants of typical food of Pantanal. History, culture and environment of the Mato Grosso State can be seen on the Museu de História Natural e Antropologia (Natural History and Anthropology History Museum) and on the Museu Rondon (Rondon Museum), dedicated to the indigenous tribes on the region. Authentic indigenous craftwork, adornment, arc and arrow and ceramics objects can be purchased on Artíndia, shop of the federal institution Funai (Fundação Nacional do Índio – National Foundation of the Indian).

Climate
This climate is tropical climate semi-humid, hot, and notedly seasonal, with a dry winter season from May through September or October. The annual rainfall is 1.400 mm. January is the warmest month, with mean maxima of 32.6°C (90.7°F) and minima of 23.2°C (73.8°F) and abundant rainfall; July experiences the coldest temperatures, with mean maxima of 31.8°C (89.2°F) and minima of 16.6°C (61.9°F) and scarce precipitation.

How to get there
Marechal Rondon International Airport connects Cuiabá with many Brazilian cities and also operates some international flights. As of 1996, Marechal Rondon Airport, located 10 km (6.21 mi) from the city center, started receiving international flights. Currently it serves more than 900 thousand passengers a year.