Chapada Diamantina National Park
Chapada Diamantina National Park
Chapada Diamantina National Park
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Eric C
Chicago, Illinois, United States17 contributions
Oct 2015 • Couples
This national park is a rare, stunning gem. There are not many places left where you can see nature this spectacular while being still relatively untouched (dirt roads everywhere especially on the south end). But the park is extremely safe, the people are friendly, and I predict its only going to get more and more popular as word of mouth travels and as the area makes more investment in flights and transportation. I went with my wife on our honeymoon as we were enamored when we read that the park contains over 700 waterfalls. We went during the dry season and regardless of whether it's the dry or wet season, the park and the falls will be spectacular.
The Bad - this park is hard to get to. If you're an American, not only do you have to get to Brazil, but from there you have to get to Salvador, then to Salvador bus station (30 mins from the airport), and then take the 6-7 hour bus ride to Lencois (though the bus itself is rather comfortable with chairs that fold down pretty far). As a tip, I highly encourage you to take the night bus as the bus is comfortable enough to get decent sleep on and you'll save yourself time this way. So if you can deal with the travel, you're in for an amazing experience.
Lencois is at the northern start point of Chapada Diamantina. It's a very nice, safe town with a beaming night scene for a town of roughly 10,000 people. The bus station and all the main hotels or Pousadas (Bed and Breakfast type of places) are all within walking distance once you get off the bus. We stayed at this hotel called Cantas Das Aguas and it's a nice "resort like" hotel priced at $100 US a night. There are much cheaper options, but since we were on our honeymoon, we "splurged" for the best place. And this hotel was great.
Many of the attractions are within a 1 to 2 hour car or tour van ride of Lencois. So the way it works is that you walk into town (everything is all walking distance and centrally located) and find a tour or a private driver to shuttle you around. We did a tour our first day and then arranged a private driver and guide for days 2, 3, 4. It's all personal preference. The tour group was fine as we went on 4 different excursions all in 1 day including climbing to the top of Morro de Paio (which is often the first image you see on Google)
The land itself is mainly known for it's waterfalls, but there's also amazing caves, canyons, cliffs, and grass highlands to be scene. I don't think there's a wrong way to see Chapada. Make sure you have at least 3 full days. My personal tip is to go to the southern end of the park. To do this, you need to stay overnight - most likely in this town called Ibicoara. I say this because on the south end of the park (4 hour drive from Lencois) exists two of the best waterfalls in the entire park (Fumacinha and most of all Buracao). Very few people see Fumacinha - it's a 2 hour hike just to get to there including a 30 min hike uphill on rocks. But it isn't that difficult and the hike itself is stunning. Please note however that if you google Fumacinha, you'll get a view from the bottom. To do the bottom trail, you start at a completely different point on the trail and need to camp overnight as it takes 5 hours to get there. My advice - just do the top of the trail. You'll see the bottom of Buracao on a different day so no need to do the 5 hour hike. And in seeing this stunning waterfall, we were the only ones on the trail (just me, my wife, and our guide)! When does this ever happen. There's not even a real parking lot for the start of the trail and there are no signs to guide you to the waterfall, which is why you need a guide. If you try to do it on your own, you will 100% get lost
Buracao is the highlight of the trip (you also need a guide). It's a 1 hour unmarked hike to get to the waterfall and once you are there, you grab one of the life jackets stored for the public at the beginning of the river and swim to the waterfall! When we were there, we were even able to go under the waterfall and also jump off of various ledges by the waterfall for some really cool pictures.
So if you do go, make sure you plan a night at the south end of the park. We stayed at Pousada Kabana de Pedra and it's really nice and charming. To do this, you most likely will need to hire someone from Lencois to guide you for these days (lots of English speaking guides available. We had this guy named Pablo)
Last Points:
safe, other-worldly, trip you'll never forget
The Bad - this park is hard to get to. If you're an American, not only do you have to get to Brazil, but from there you have to get to Salvador, then to Salvador bus station (30 mins from the airport), and then take the 6-7 hour bus ride to Lencois (though the bus itself is rather comfortable with chairs that fold down pretty far). As a tip, I highly encourage you to take the night bus as the bus is comfortable enough to get decent sleep on and you'll save yourself time this way. So if you can deal with the travel, you're in for an amazing experience.
Lencois is at the northern start point of Chapada Diamantina. It's a very nice, safe town with a beaming night scene for a town of roughly 10,000 people. The bus station and all the main hotels or Pousadas (Bed and Breakfast type of places) are all within walking distance once you get off the bus. We stayed at this hotel called Cantas Das Aguas and it's a nice "resort like" hotel priced at $100 US a night. There are much cheaper options, but since we were on our honeymoon, we "splurged" for the best place. And this hotel was great.
Many of the attractions are within a 1 to 2 hour car or tour van ride of Lencois. So the way it works is that you walk into town (everything is all walking distance and centrally located) and find a tour or a private driver to shuttle you around. We did a tour our first day and then arranged a private driver and guide for days 2, 3, 4. It's all personal preference. The tour group was fine as we went on 4 different excursions all in 1 day including climbing to the top of Morro de Paio (which is often the first image you see on Google)
The land itself is mainly known for it's waterfalls, but there's also amazing caves, canyons, cliffs, and grass highlands to be scene. I don't think there's a wrong way to see Chapada. Make sure you have at least 3 full days. My personal tip is to go to the southern end of the park. To do this, you need to stay overnight - most likely in this town called Ibicoara. I say this because on the south end of the park (4 hour drive from Lencois) exists two of the best waterfalls in the entire park (Fumacinha and most of all Buracao). Very few people see Fumacinha - it's a 2 hour hike just to get to there including a 30 min hike uphill on rocks. But it isn't that difficult and the hike itself is stunning. Please note however that if you google Fumacinha, you'll get a view from the bottom. To do the bottom trail, you start at a completely different point on the trail and need to camp overnight as it takes 5 hours to get there. My advice - just do the top of the trail. You'll see the bottom of Buracao on a different day so no need to do the 5 hour hike. And in seeing this stunning waterfall, we were the only ones on the trail (just me, my wife, and our guide)! When does this ever happen. There's not even a real parking lot for the start of the trail and there are no signs to guide you to the waterfall, which is why you need a guide. If you try to do it on your own, you will 100% get lost
Buracao is the highlight of the trip (you also need a guide). It's a 1 hour unmarked hike to get to the waterfall and once you are there, you grab one of the life jackets stored for the public at the beginning of the river and swim to the waterfall! When we were there, we were even able to go under the waterfall and also jump off of various ledges by the waterfall for some really cool pictures.
So if you do go, make sure you plan a night at the south end of the park. We stayed at Pousada Kabana de Pedra and it's really nice and charming. To do this, you most likely will need to hire someone from Lencois to guide you for these days (lots of English speaking guides available. We had this guy named Pablo)
Last Points:
safe, other-worldly, trip you'll never forget
Written 3 November 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Keira P
Colombo, Sri Lanka7 contributions
Sept 2014 • Friends
Lencois, Vale Do Capao, And Vale Do Pati and the park are all amazing. In lencois if you walk past the Rodoviaria bus station you come to a park and a wood platform by the river. I camped there for free, people do it all the time. Met so many amazing people there, during a music festival it was packed. Pretty safe and seems to be the spot for adventure travelers.
Im big into hiking and wanted to do the park without a guide(and was on super low budget), met huge resistance from guides when asking for advice. Bought a topographic map called Trilhas e Caminhos for the park, was the best one i could find. Lists all major trails. Trips are totally possible if you have hiking experience, can use a topo map and compass. Met people by the river at Lencois and ended up going with a group of 10 people.
We took the trail to Vale Do Capao that passes the Vinte E Um waterfall and another one, they are amazing. This trail is stunningly beautiful but difficult and unused, and one part you have to do some what of a rock climb beside the waterfalls, would not recommend it unless you have experience and ample food. We took 3 days because we spent a lot of time swimming. Could be done in 2 or less. Do not recommend at all if its rainy season.
Vale Do Capao to Fumaca is a very easy trail. Ask around the town for the trail head, or if you walk from Lencois you can come and join this trail. It is very very well worn. Still recommend a map, lot of people go everyday. Amazing HUGE waterfall.
Vale Do Capao to Vale Do Pati is a very worn and easy trail (trails). Out of the 3 we took the Eastern one in, which is a little harder in comparison but very rewarding. Must hike up the Castle and check out the massive cave there, go through the cave and craw out the end, climb a rock and you are in the middle/top of the whole valley, stunning. Took the middle trail out. Was very easy, probably hard when raining. Did five days on this loop. Loved it. So many amazing places to camp that already had fire spots.
Vale Do Capao to Lencois. Took the more official trail between the 2 towns back. This trail is very easy mostly flat walking and can easily be done in a day 6 hours or so. You walk right by the huge Monte Tabor.
There are no signs at all. So map and compass is must. Most trails are very obvious but can get small at points. Just check your references and trail will pick up withing 10-20 meters. This is a very special place, respect it, be prepared, dont destroy anything. Had an amazing trip over 10 days.
Cheers
Im big into hiking and wanted to do the park without a guide(and was on super low budget), met huge resistance from guides when asking for advice. Bought a topographic map called Trilhas e Caminhos for the park, was the best one i could find. Lists all major trails. Trips are totally possible if you have hiking experience, can use a topo map and compass. Met people by the river at Lencois and ended up going with a group of 10 people.
We took the trail to Vale Do Capao that passes the Vinte E Um waterfall and another one, they are amazing. This trail is stunningly beautiful but difficult and unused, and one part you have to do some what of a rock climb beside the waterfalls, would not recommend it unless you have experience and ample food. We took 3 days because we spent a lot of time swimming. Could be done in 2 or less. Do not recommend at all if its rainy season.
Vale Do Capao to Fumaca is a very easy trail. Ask around the town for the trail head, or if you walk from Lencois you can come and join this trail. It is very very well worn. Still recommend a map, lot of people go everyday. Amazing HUGE waterfall.
Vale Do Capao to Vale Do Pati is a very worn and easy trail (trails). Out of the 3 we took the Eastern one in, which is a little harder in comparison but very rewarding. Must hike up the Castle and check out the massive cave there, go through the cave and craw out the end, climb a rock and you are in the middle/top of the whole valley, stunning. Took the middle trail out. Was very easy, probably hard when raining. Did five days on this loop. Loved it. So many amazing places to camp that already had fire spots.
Vale Do Capao to Lencois. Took the more official trail between the 2 towns back. This trail is very easy mostly flat walking and can easily be done in a day 6 hours or so. You walk right by the huge Monte Tabor.
There are no signs at all. So map and compass is must. Most trails are very obvious but can get small at points. Just check your references and trail will pick up withing 10-20 meters. This is a very special place, respect it, be prepared, dont destroy anything. Had an amazing trip over 10 days.
Cheers
Written 20 October 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tatsy74
Brooklyn, NY324 contributions
Nov 2012 • Couples
With only 2 full days to explore the region, we opted to do 2 hiking trips booked through the agency 'Venturas y Aventuras', located on a corner and about a short block away from the town center. (The 'We Speak English' sign posted out front is what ultimately helped us choose from among the ample number of agencies. I've no doubt the other agencies are all equally helpful and offer the same excellent excursions.) Our guide was Eric and his English was excellent -- he's been leading hikes and multiple-day camping trips in the park for 8 years and knows the region like the back of his hand. He provided lots of information and tips about the park -- how the caves and region came to be formed, the number of caves in the region, heights, altitudes, what created the waterfalls, boulders, the type of fauna, how to climb properly, etc, etc.
Tour 1 is a popular choice and it proved to be my favorite --- it includes trips to five spots located around the park, in the nearby preserve area. Sights included, in order, Poco do Diablo (waterfall), Lapa Doce (cave), Gruta Azul (cave), Gruta da Pratinha (lake/pool/cave - take the snorkeling option for an extra 10 or 15R), and lastly, Morro de Pai Inacio (mountain -- fear not, it is easily hikable and not overly time-consuming.) This tour was a wonderful experience and I do not believe you have to be in the most tip-top shape to enjoy it.
We traveled in a comfortable, safari-trekking jeep, perfect for the off-road driving that is required at times, in a group of 6, plus our guide and driver. From start to finish, the trip lasted all day, from about 8.30 AM, ending around 6 pm, with a pick-up to and from our hotel. A delicious lunch at a buffet style place is included. (Remember to bring sneakers or hiking sandals with a good tread -- I stupidly wore flimsy sandals, CLEARLY not thinking, but was saved by my generous tour mate's offer to use his water shoes, these worked surprisingly well. Dank u wel, my friendly Dutch mate!)
Tour 2 is perhaps the park's most popular sight and it includes a 4-5 hour hike to and from the Fumaça Waterfall, located all the way on the other side of the park (from Lencois). Described as the 2nd tallest free-falling waterfall in Brazil (380 m), the excursion requires a 2 hour ride by car, followed by a 2 hour hike, and then back again. The trail is steep for about 30 minutes of the way, but flattens once you reach the top. From here on, it is an invigorating (but not terribly challenging) hike through brush and flatlands. The payoff is the waterfall, which you get to view from a precipice that you reach by inching up to the edge on your belly. Not for the faint of heart! I quickly found out that I'm apparently afraid of heights. The waterfall was a bit disappointing to me as it wasn't as its most robust, due to the paucity in rain --naturally it benefits most from the rainy season and is probably most spectacular during this time. Again, a generous, paper-bag lunch was provided. Plan on drinking lots of water. This tour includes a quick pit stop at another beautiful waterfall, I believe it was Riachincho, not sure, but it was spectacular and I could've spent hours turning myself into a prune here. Wonderful water and especially enjoyable after that long hike. (2 days of straight hiking did leave me a bit achey, discovering little-used leg muscles, but completely worth it, IMO!)
I only wish we could've spent more time in this large park, I can imagine that one can spend days, weeks exploring all of its sights. Come and explore this beautiful region!
Tour 1 is a popular choice and it proved to be my favorite --- it includes trips to five spots located around the park, in the nearby preserve area. Sights included, in order, Poco do Diablo (waterfall), Lapa Doce (cave), Gruta Azul (cave), Gruta da Pratinha (lake/pool/cave - take the snorkeling option for an extra 10 or 15R), and lastly, Morro de Pai Inacio (mountain -- fear not, it is easily hikable and not overly time-consuming.) This tour was a wonderful experience and I do not believe you have to be in the most tip-top shape to enjoy it.
We traveled in a comfortable, safari-trekking jeep, perfect for the off-road driving that is required at times, in a group of 6, plus our guide and driver. From start to finish, the trip lasted all day, from about 8.30 AM, ending around 6 pm, with a pick-up to and from our hotel. A delicious lunch at a buffet style place is included. (Remember to bring sneakers or hiking sandals with a good tread -- I stupidly wore flimsy sandals, CLEARLY not thinking, but was saved by my generous tour mate's offer to use his water shoes, these worked surprisingly well. Dank u wel, my friendly Dutch mate!)
Tour 2 is perhaps the park's most popular sight and it includes a 4-5 hour hike to and from the Fumaça Waterfall, located all the way on the other side of the park (from Lencois). Described as the 2nd tallest free-falling waterfall in Brazil (380 m), the excursion requires a 2 hour ride by car, followed by a 2 hour hike, and then back again. The trail is steep for about 30 minutes of the way, but flattens once you reach the top. From here on, it is an invigorating (but not terribly challenging) hike through brush and flatlands. The payoff is the waterfall, which you get to view from a precipice that you reach by inching up to the edge on your belly. Not for the faint of heart! I quickly found out that I'm apparently afraid of heights. The waterfall was a bit disappointing to me as it wasn't as its most robust, due to the paucity in rain --naturally it benefits most from the rainy season and is probably most spectacular during this time. Again, a generous, paper-bag lunch was provided. Plan on drinking lots of water. This tour includes a quick pit stop at another beautiful waterfall, I believe it was Riachincho, not sure, but it was spectacular and I could've spent hours turning myself into a prune here. Wonderful water and especially enjoyable after that long hike. (2 days of straight hiking did leave me a bit achey, discovering little-used leg muscles, but completely worth it, IMO!)
I only wish we could've spent more time in this large park, I can imagine that one can spend days, weeks exploring all of its sights. Come and explore this beautiful region!
Written 30 November 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark B
Melbourne, Australia5 contributions
Apr 2014 • Friends
Firstly, chapada diamantina was/is amazing, and I would recommend it to anyone. But choose your guide wisely. We went on a three day vale do pati, where we did a number of treks from a base camp. This was excellent.
However, we were in a group of three guys and one woman, who the Brazilians guides thought could not speak Portuguese, but as half the group were from Portugal we could. During the nights at the basecamp, we heard the guides saying a number of homophobic remarks, which we confronted. One guide told us, gringos need to go home and are not welcome in brasil and then he followed with such a loud homophobic fuelled rant we all felt extremely unsafe, unwelcome and our entire trip was ruined. Our guide and the others, who watched this and listened did nothing. We asked for this persons name so we could complain, but all refused to provide. So, if you are foreign and might be gay, be careful they do not want you there, nor your money!
However, we were in a group of three guys and one woman, who the Brazilians guides thought could not speak Portuguese, but as half the group were from Portugal we could. During the nights at the basecamp, we heard the guides saying a number of homophobic remarks, which we confronted. One guide told us, gringos need to go home and are not welcome in brasil and then he followed with such a loud homophobic fuelled rant we all felt extremely unsafe, unwelcome and our entire trip was ruined. Our guide and the others, who watched this and listened did nothing. We asked for this persons name so we could complain, but all refused to provide. So, if you are foreign and might be gay, be careful they do not want you there, nor your money!
Written 22 July 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TPi_28
London, UK10 contributions
We booked a tour wit Zentur, paid a deposit and were told we'll be picked up at 8.30am the next day for the tour to Poco Ecantado and Poco Azul. At 10.30pm the night before the tour, Zentur made a call to our accommodation and told us that they were no longer going on the tour. At that time of night it was impossible to organise a tour with another provider. They said once we paid the deposit, that the tour was confirned. We are very disappointed with Zentur. They took our money and lied to us. Our limited time in Lençois is wasted. They are very unprofessional. Do not use Zentur!
Written 26 February 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Daniel-SSA
Salvador, BA140 contributions
Jul 2014 • Couples
First of all, it's important to say that many of the attractions in Chapada Diamantina are outside the National Park limits, like Morro do Pai Inácio (Father Inácio Hill), Lapa Doce, Torrinha and Pratinha caves, Mucugezinho river and Poço do Diabo Waterfall, so the region is much larger than the park, spanning from the almost unexplored Morro do Chapéu town up north to Rio de Contas in the south.
The park itself is a vast region that covers parts of Lençóis, Palmeiras, Mucugê, Andaraí and Ibicoara municipalities.
In my eleventh trip to the region, seventh with my wife, we stayed in Vale do Capão, a mystical district of Palmeiras, mainly to rest in the deep and cool valley and to do the upper trekking to Cachoeira da Fumaça (Smoke Falls), one of the highest free falling waterfalls on earth (2nd in Brazil, 19th in the world), with a 340m single drop that is sprayed by the wind before touching the dark pool down the canyon. In a rainy, misty, windy day, like the one we went, the water sprays more than 50m high and washes those on the edge of the cliff. An unexpected and unforgettable experience, that fortunately didn't damage our cameras.
Normally it is a tiny water flow that can disappear completely during the dry season. I've been there three times, never saw it dry, but my first and second visits were on sunny days in the dry season, and the flow was minimal.
The trail is 6km long (each way), starting with 2km uphill (from a 1000m above sea level base, to a 1350m highland), with the remaining 4km on a flat terrain until the cliff.
It is also possible to visit the pool, deep into the canyon, with a two-day trek, camping on the woods.
The park lacks basic services, with modest checkpoints on the access to some attractions, like Fumaça Waterfall, and is much less organized than other National Parks in Brazil, like Iguaçu National Park in Paraná or the nearby Serra da Capivara Natonal Park in south Piauí.
But the beauty, vast and almost untouched landscapes are incredible. Vale do Capão village grew significantly since my first visit, twelve years ago, and now hosts small boutique hotels, but it still preserves a remote, rusty and mystical atmosphere that attracts nature-lovers and soul-searching types from all over the world, mostly because the access remains difficult: it's a 20km dirt road to Palmeiras, and the only airport is a further 60km away, near Lençóis, with only two weekly flights from Salvador, the state capital, that is 400km away from the closest park entrance.
It's almost impossible to visit all the attractions in a single trip, unless if you have thirty days at your disposal and is in great shape.
The park itself is a vast region that covers parts of Lençóis, Palmeiras, Mucugê, Andaraí and Ibicoara municipalities.
In my eleventh trip to the region, seventh with my wife, we stayed in Vale do Capão, a mystical district of Palmeiras, mainly to rest in the deep and cool valley and to do the upper trekking to Cachoeira da Fumaça (Smoke Falls), one of the highest free falling waterfalls on earth (2nd in Brazil, 19th in the world), with a 340m single drop that is sprayed by the wind before touching the dark pool down the canyon. In a rainy, misty, windy day, like the one we went, the water sprays more than 50m high and washes those on the edge of the cliff. An unexpected and unforgettable experience, that fortunately didn't damage our cameras.
Normally it is a tiny water flow that can disappear completely during the dry season. I've been there three times, never saw it dry, but my first and second visits were on sunny days in the dry season, and the flow was minimal.
The trail is 6km long (each way), starting with 2km uphill (from a 1000m above sea level base, to a 1350m highland), with the remaining 4km on a flat terrain until the cliff.
It is also possible to visit the pool, deep into the canyon, with a two-day trek, camping on the woods.
The park lacks basic services, with modest checkpoints on the access to some attractions, like Fumaça Waterfall, and is much less organized than other National Parks in Brazil, like Iguaçu National Park in Paraná or the nearby Serra da Capivara Natonal Park in south Piauí.
But the beauty, vast and almost untouched landscapes are incredible. Vale do Capão village grew significantly since my first visit, twelve years ago, and now hosts small boutique hotels, but it still preserves a remote, rusty and mystical atmosphere that attracts nature-lovers and soul-searching types from all over the world, mostly because the access remains difficult: it's a 20km dirt road to Palmeiras, and the only airport is a further 60km away, near Lençóis, with only two weekly flights from Salvador, the state capital, that is 400km away from the closest park entrance.
It's almost impossible to visit all the attractions in a single trip, unless if you have thirty days at your disposal and is in great shape.
Written 31 July 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BahiaDave
Bedford, UK90 contributions
Dec 2012 • Solo
I first came to the Chapada in 2009, to escape the Sao Joao festival in the Pelourinho in Salvador, and the beauty and tranquility of the place blew me away. I am not an adrenaline junkie, nor built for extended hiking, but the scenery here is stunning, many waterfalls are accessible, and wonderful for a swim after a hot day out.
There are numerous tour agencies that will help to tailor your visit to your needs, both your budget and your fitness level, but you could also hire a local guide and do your own thing - but make sure he (or she) is registered as there are many who will offer their services. There are a lot of short walks from the main town of Lencois, but other local towns like Mucuge, Andarai and especially Capao, are all worth a visit.
If peace and tranquility is your thing the Chapada is just the place for you - as I say, I liked my first experience so much that I decided to move here!
There are numerous tour agencies that will help to tailor your visit to your needs, both your budget and your fitness level, but you could also hire a local guide and do your own thing - but make sure he (or she) is registered as there are many who will offer their services. There are a lot of short walks from the main town of Lencois, but other local towns like Mucuge, Andarai and especially Capao, are all worth a visit.
If peace and tranquility is your thing the Chapada is just the place for you - as I say, I liked my first experience so much that I decided to move here!
Written 1 December 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JPace62
Coral Gables, FL36 contributions
Jul 2015 • Family
Incredible experience! Eric C. is correct when he says in his review that the park is hard to get to, especially if you are a foreigner. We stayed in Salvador for a couple of days when we first arrived in Brazil (and then again when we were leaving) and we hired a guide each time, which made all the logistics a lot easier for us. At the recommendation of friends, we had already hired someone to guide us through the park as well, Pablo Guerreiro, (or Guerrieiro), a very professional young man, who spoke very good English, knew the region extremely well (and had a degree in Ecology, so he could answer all of my annoying questions!). Pablo designed our trip according to our specifications, and I must say he really did a masterful job. We had a great trip and a terrific time! I had thought nothing would ever compare to our trip to the Grand Canyon, but I was wrong! The park has hundreds of gorgeous waterfalls, caves, great trails, beautiful pools, rock climbing, rappelling, hiking, swimming, fun little hotels and B&Bs, terrific places where to eat, great food...
If you are considering going to Chapada Diamantina, don't think twice. It is truly an amazingly beautiful place.
If you are considering going to Chapada Diamantina, don't think twice. It is truly an amazingly beautiful place.
Written 1 January 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HumboldtWoman
NorCal28 contributions
Jun 2014 • Family
We spent 3 days in the most quaint and charming little town of Lencois. We rented a car in Recife and drove there. The roads are treacherous and you have to be careful with giant cargo trucks because drivers get paid by how fast they deliver their loads so they drive really fast and furious. For those who like adventure off the typical tourist path, this place will pay off for you. The park is beautiful. We hired a guide who took us to the orchid gardens, a hidden waterfall, an iron-filled river/swimming hole (all the water is brown, not because it's dirty but it's full of iron). He took us to the blue pools/lagoons for snorkeling. We took a kayak ride into the deep caves with flashlights and saw bats flying. The kids loved that. The teenager took the zip line over the bright blue lagoon. Our lodging was so cute with hammocks outside and a nice pool. The people were so friendly. Little monkeys come up and join you for breakfast on the patio. Local people open their home/dining rooms for lunch/dinner so the fare is not fancy and they don't really expect a lot of tourists. Not many people speak English. For us to show our kids the "real world," this was a wonderful experience in a charming locale with friendly people and beautiful scenery.
Written 12 July 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Diego_Manfred
Chiclana de la Frontera, Spain130 contributions
Dec 2017 • Solo
Lencois
You probably start here when you go to Chapada diamantina. Lencois is beautiful and worth visiting. There is live music nearly every night, it's full with people from all over the world and most of all very very safe.
There are plenty of trails you can do around lencois and in Chapada diamantina WITHOUT A GUIDE!!! no for real, they try to tell you it's dangerous and you won't find the way by yourself but that's not true at all.
Just get the app maps.me!!! It's for free and all the trails are in there,no Internet needed only gps. Anyway sometimes there are even guys from agencies on these trails telling you to get them to show you the way but really just don't.
If you have the chance to rent a car do it! You can do all the hiking and trails and waterfalls by yourself without an agency. These agencies are quiet overpriced and only make sense if you don't have a car, but other than that there is no real reason when you just want to see the places. I think you should go to an agency when you want to do the 3 or 5 day trail but even this one might be doable by yourself with a good map.
In case you don't have a car it's very common go hitchhike around Chapada and also very safe. Definitely go to capão, it's a magical little village.
You probably start here when you go to Chapada diamantina. Lencois is beautiful and worth visiting. There is live music nearly every night, it's full with people from all over the world and most of all very very safe.
There are plenty of trails you can do around lencois and in Chapada diamantina WITHOUT A GUIDE!!! no for real, they try to tell you it's dangerous and you won't find the way by yourself but that's not true at all.
Just get the app maps.me!!! It's for free and all the trails are in there,no Internet needed only gps. Anyway sometimes there are even guys from agencies on these trails telling you to get them to show you the way but really just don't.
If you have the chance to rent a car do it! You can do all the hiking and trails and waterfalls by yourself without an agency. These agencies are quiet overpriced and only make sense if you don't have a car, but other than that there is no real reason when you just want to see the places. I think you should go to an agency when you want to do the 3 or 5 day trail but even this one might be doable by yourself with a good map.
In case you don't have a car it's very common go hitchhike around Chapada and also very safe. Definitely go to capão, it's a magical little village.
Written 21 January 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HOla quisiera saber opiniones de gente que haya visitado chapada si conviene o no ir en auto. Para visitar varios pueblos y para poder acceder a atracciones por la cuenta, sin necesidad de transfer o grupos.
No sé si las atracciones requieren guías si o si, y en caso que si, si se pueden cotnratar directo en la entrada. Gracias
Written 1 November 2024
Bonjour, Je ne comprend pas bien. Je suis sur Salvador, j'ai vu qu'il y avait des bus pour se rapprocher du par national Chapada Diamantina mais si je vais à Lençois on est à Lençois état Balha Brésil on est à 1 h 40 - 112 km du parc ??? et les photos de Lençois montrent des dunes de sable blanc avec la mer .... il y a plusieurs Lençois ? Merci beaucou. J'ai peu de temps pour chercher et approfondir...
Written 29 December 2022
Hi there!
My partner and I are planning a trip to Chapada Diamentina in September 2022 (of course, depending on how COVID is). I have heard some really great stories, and some really bad stories about getting the right kind of guide. I have a couple questions for those who have experienced this region of Brazil:
- if we are staying in Lencois, any suggestions on travel to the park everyday?
- any recommendations on where to find a reputable guide? Do we really need one?
- favourite parts of the park? I’d love to hear about your favourite experience :)
Written 15 November 2021
Qual o preço atual de aluguel de um carro popular em lençois, BA?
Grata!
Written 31 October 2021
Alguém tem indicação de pessoa que possa levar o carro de Guiné para Andarai? Para fazermos a travessia do Vale do Pati entrando por Guiné e saindo por Andarai?
Written 9 May 2021
Boa tarde, o parque está aberto nesse período da pandemia?
Written 27 January 2021
Merci pour votre opinion ;-)
La Chapada Diamantina, aussi connu comme le Grand Canyon du Brésil, reste une attraction attachante.
Ce parc national a été largement fermé pour cause de la pandémie.
A partir de novembre nous avons de nouveau accès aux points les plus appréciés dans le monde du tourisme brésilien.
Le bonjour tropical de Salvador da Bahia,
Ivan Bahia Guide
Written 10 November 2020
Olá! Qual melhor roteiro para fazer com uma criança de 5 anos? Pensei em Morro do Pai Inácio, Pratinha, mini Pantanal marimbus com rio roncador. Alguém tem dicas de roteiros leves? Só ficaremos 4 dias.
Obrigada!
Written 3 February 2020
Hello all, We plan to stay at both Lencois and Ibicoara, What would be the best way to travel between the two towns? Is there a bus or shuttle service?
Many thanks.
Written 18 July 2019
Hola , me pueden ayudar con las formas y costos de ir a cachoeira da fumaca desde Lencois en el día , y los costos que tiene llegar ya sea por agencia etc ? Me están pidiendo U$ 90 por persona para visitar con guía Fumaca y Riachincho.
Lo último, alguien me puede dar referencias de Journey que es la Empresa de Tours que opera por allí ?
Un millón de gracias !!!!!
Abrazo viajeros
Written 24 June 2019
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