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Pousada Kuryala

Santa Terezinha, MT · Rio Cristalino e Araguaia

Best months
Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Water
Freshwater

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Pousada Kuryala sits on the banks of the Araguaia River, near its confluence with the Rio das Mortes, facing the Ilha do Bananal National Park, in the municipality of São Félix do Araguaia (MT) — and not in Santa Terezinha nor on the Cristalino River, as previously stated. It's a long-established lodge in the region (more than 30 years in operation), in the transition zone between the Amazon and the Cerrado, which explains the area's varied aquatic fauna.

What you can catch

  • Piraíba (a giant Amazon catfish) — the lodge's biggest trophy, caught bottom-fishing in deep holes
  • Pirarara (redtail catfish) — is the international 'Redtail Catfish' (not the cachara/tiger shovelnose catfish)
  • Blue peacock bass and yellow peacock bass (tucunaré-azul e tucunaré-amarelo) — in bays and marginal lakes
  • Silver arowana (aruanã) — present, but in smaller numbers than peacock bass
  • Tiger shovelnose catfish (cachara) and barbado (a whiskered catfish) — bottom fishing and trolling
  • Jaú (a large Amazon catfish) — mentioned by regional sources on the Araguaia, without specific confirmation from the lodge

Best time to go

June to October is the Araguaia's dry season: the river drops, fish concentrate in deep holes and channels, and the beaches form natural camps — this is the recommended window for the big trophies (piraíba, pirarara, jaú). From March to May the river rises and scatters the shoals, favoring more topwater fishing for peacock bass and arowana in temporary lakes; November to February, with rains and the start of the flood, is considered the weakest period.

Techniques and baits

For the big catfish (piraíba, pirarara, jaú), fishing is done bottom-style, in deep holes, with natural baits — whole fish, chicken liver or heart — on heavy-duty rods and reels (80-200 lb class). For peacock bass and arowana, the game is casting and trolling with topwater and mid-depth lures (7-11 cm/3-4 in) in the bays and marginal lakes. The lodge does not include fishing gear in the package, but rents heavy tackle (rods, reels, lines and hooks) for those not traveling with their own.

Facilities and prices

There are 14 rooms (single, double or triple), all with private bathroom, hot shower and air conditioning — not hammock bungalows, as previously stated. The package is full board (breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks included), with one boat per pair and 30 liters of gasoline included per pair; a bush barbecue (churrasco no mato) is included starting from 3-day packages. We couldn't find confirmed prices from an official source — it's worth requesting a quote directly via the lodge's WhatsApp.

How to get there

Access is by flying into Cuiabá, Barra do Garças or Palmas (TO), followed by ground transfer to São Félix do Araguaia — the lodge is located in the Araguaia Valley, a region that brings together several fishing lodges between Barra do Garças, São Félix do Araguaia, Luciara and Santa Terezinha. Confirm direct transfer logistics with Kuryala before booking your package.

What you can catch

Location

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