National park · Brazil
Chapada Diamantina National ParkParque Nacional da Chapada Diamantina
Enter the park for a day hike to Fumaça waterfall (2 h, easy) or a multi‑day trek in Pati Valley (5‑7 d, hard); go in the dry season (May–Oct) to avoid rain and crowds, and bring cash for entry donation.
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- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1,520 km² (587 sq mi)587 sq mi (1,520 km²)
approximate
Established
1985
Best months
May–Jun, Sep–Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…
- South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
- South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
- South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
- Brazil ↗US, Canadian and Australian citizens need an e-visa (about US$81 — check) applied for online at the official VFS portal before travel; EU and UK citizens do not. Check your passport with Brazil's Ministry of Foreign Affairs before booking.
- Brazil ↗Yellow fever vaccination is recommended for many areas, including the Amazon and Pantanal; check with a travel clinic at least 10 days before travel.
- Brazil ↗Keep your phone out of sight in the street and on beaches; phone theft is the most common crime against visitors in big cities.
- Brazil ↗Carnival 2027 runs about 5–10 February (Tuesday 9 February; Salvador from 4 February): book Rio, Salvador and Recife/Olinda months ahead or avoid those dates.
At a glance
- Country
- Brazil
- Area
- 1,520 km² (587 sq mi)587 sq mi (1,520 km²)
- approximate (check)
- Established
- 1985
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
Chapada Diamantina National Park protects a highland plateau of table-top mountains, deep canyons and hundreds of waterfalls in central Bahia. The park has no fixed entry fee — a voluntary donation of R$20–30 at the gate covers basic maintenance. Most visitors base themselves in Lençóis or Vale do Capão and choose between a short hike to the 380 m Fumaça waterfall or a multi-day trek through the remote Pati Valley. The dry months from May to October give the best trail conditions; evening storms are common year-round.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1985.
Size and age
1,520 km² (587 sq mi)587 sq mi (1,520 km²) · national park since 1985
approximate (check)
Why go
- Mountain scenery with waterfalls, caves and high‑altitude trails.
- Iconic Fumaça waterfall (380 m) and remote Pati Valley trek.
- Rich birdlife and chance to spot jaguar or anteater.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprGo
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecGo
- Jandry enough, cooler
- Febstill dry
- Martransition to rains
- Aprincreasing rain risk
- Maystart of dry season
- Jundry, cooler nights
- Julpossible storms
- Augrainy, trails muddy
- Sepdry, clear
- Octdry, warm
- Novdry, but cooler
- Decdry, pleasant
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hummingbirds, vulturesAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Anteaters, jaguarsAll year · Rare sightings. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Lençóis
Bus from Salvador (R$72 (≈ US$14)) or private transfer; then local taxi or jeep to park entrance.
2–3 h total
From Salvador
Direct bus (Real Expresso) to Lençóis, then onward transport.
4–5 h
Open the page →
From Brasília
Bus to Seabra (≈R$170), then change to bus to Palmeiras and short walk to entrance.
≈7 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Lençóis gateway | Visitor information, ticket point, access to short trails. | Open daily. |
| Vale do Capão area | Base for longer treks, accommodation, trailheads. | Open; guide recommended for multi‑day hikes. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate centre points for orientation.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry donation | BRL 20–30 (≈ US$4–6) | person | Pay at park entrance; optional but encouraged (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Camping
- Only in designated sites or with local host; avoid riverbanks due to flash floods.
- Fires
- Open fires prohibited; use provided stoves where available.
- Litter
- Carry out all waste; bins scarce.
- Guides
- Required for multi‑day treks and remote valleys.
- Donations
- Entry donation encouraged; no fixed ticket price.
Where to stay
Near the park
Lençóis town
Hotels, pousadas, restaurants within 5 km (3.1 mi) of park entrance.Hotels, pousadas, restaurants within 3.1 mi (5 km) of park entrance.
Near the park
Vale do Capão
Hostels, guesthouses, basic camping options.
Safety
Storms and flash floods medium
Getting lost on remote treks high
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Short trails near Lençóis are reachable by car with short walks.
- Longer treks involve steep, uneven terrain; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Donate at entrance to support park maintenance.
- Use local guides and accommodations to benefit communities.
- Avoid litter; respect fire bans.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Chapada Diamantina National Park?
There is no fixed ticket; a voluntary donation of about R$20–30 per person is collected at the entrance gate.
What are the best hikes in Chapada Diamantina National Park?
Short hike to Cachoeira da Fumaça (2 h, easy) and the multi‑day Pati Valley trek (5‑7 d, hard) are the most popular.
When is the best time to visit Chapada Diamantina National Park?
The dry season May to October offers the most reliable weather and trail conditions.
Do I need a guide for any trails?
Guides are mandatory for multi‑day treks and remote valleys; short day walks can be done independently.
Where can I stay near the park?
Lençóis town and Vale do Capão both offer hotels, pousadas and basic camping facilities.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Chapada Diamantina National Park
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