National park · Brazil
Catimbau National ParkParque Nacional do Catimbau
Enter Catimbau National Park for a half‑day hike to the main sandstone cliffs (entry fee R$30‑40, 30 min drive from Arcoverde) or a full‑day trek to the cave‑painting area (guide required, R$150‑200) – go in the dry season (May‑Oct) to avoid mud and crowds.
- Source checked
- 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.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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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
623 km² (241 sq mi)241 sq mi (623 km²)
approximate
Established
2002
Best months
May–Aug
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 10Above 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.
- Northeast ↗Fly between coastal cities; buses are cheap but 12–20 h between capitals.
- Northeast ↗Rain moves with latitude: the Bahia and Sergipe coast is wettest Apr–Jul, the Ceará coast Feb–May.
- Pernambuco ↗Check Brazil visa requirements for your nationality; most tourists need an e‑visa or visa‑free stay up to 90 days.
At a glance
- Country
- Brazil
- Area
- 623 km² (241 sq mi)241 sq mi (623 km²)
- The park covers about 62,300 ha (≈ 623 km²) as defined by the 2002 decree establishing the protected area (source: Wikivoyage).
- Established
- 2002
- Best months
- May–Aug
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Recife
Catimbau National Park protects a semi‑arid caatinga landscape with striking sandstone formations and Brazil’s second‑largest archaeological complex of 2,000 caves featuring 6,000‑year‑old rock art.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 2002.
Size and age
623 km² (241 sq mi)241 sq mi (623 km²) · national park since 2002
The park covers about 62,300 ha (≈ 623 km²) as defined by the 2002 decree establishing the protected area (source: Wikivoyage).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Recife.
Why go
- Explore Brazil's second‑largest archaeological site with 2,000 caves and 6,000‑year‑old rock art.
- Walk among striking red‑gray sandstone formations in the caatinga biome.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarGo
- AprGo
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepGo
- OctGo
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanDry but very hot; limited water sources.
- FebHot, occasional storms.
- MarStart of rains, landscape greening.
- AprGreening continues, cooler evenings.
- MayDry season ends, comfortable temps.
- JunMild, occasional showers improve scenery.
- JulCooler, less heat stress.
- AugCool, occasional rain, lush views.
- SepDrying, still green.
- OctDry, warm, fewer visitors.
- NovHeat rises, water needed.
- DecHot, dry, limited shade.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indigo macawAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Various cactus speciesAll year | 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 Recife (airport)
Bus to Arcoverde (≈4 h, R$100) then taxi 5 min to gate.
4–5 h
Open the page →
From Recife (car)
Drive 290 km (180 mi) west on BR‑232 to Arcoverde, then south to park entrance.Drive 180 mi (290 km) west on BR‑232 to Arcoverde, then south to park entrance.
≈4 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Main entrance (Arcoverde) | Gate, visitor info, trailhead to sandstone cliffs. | Open with ticket. |
| Cave‑painting sector | Cluster of caves with prehistoric art, reachable via guided trail. | Guide required. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
4 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 approximate, based on Arcoverde region and park maps.
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 (general) | BRL 30–40 (≈ US$6–8) | person | Check at gate. |
| Guided full‑day trek (cave paintings) | BRL 150–200 (≈ US$30–40) | group | Guide required. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Guided trek permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- R$30–40≈ US$6–8
- R$150–200≈ US$30–40
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Check with the park or your operator before you go.
Park rules
- Guides
- Required for the cave‑painting sector and any off‑trail travel.
- Camping
- Not allowed inside the park; stay in Arcoverde or nearby towns.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use designated grills outside the park.
- Pets
- Not allowed in the park.
Where to stay
Near the park
Arcoverde town
Budget hotels and guesthouses, 5‑10 km (6.2 mi) from gate.Budget hotels and guesthouses, 5‑6.2 mi (10 km) from gate.
Safety
Heat dehydration medium
Lost on guided trek 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
- Main entrance area reachable by car; short, flat paths to information desk.
Visiting lightly
- Stay in local guesthouses; buy food in Arcoverde to support community.
- Do not collect rocks or artifacts; respect archaeological heritage.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Catimbau National Park?
General entry is R$30‑40 per person; a guided full‑day trek to the cave paintings costs R$150‑200 per group.
What are the best hikes in Catimbau National Park?
The short sandstone cliffs loop (2‑3 h, easy) and the guided cave‑painting trek (5‑6 h, moderate) are the most popular.
When is the best time to visit Catimbau National Park?
May to October offers cooler temperatures and greener scenery, with the least crowding.
Can I camp inside the park?
No; camping is prohibited. Stay in Arcoverde or nearby towns.
Do I need a guide for any trail?
A guide is required for the cave‑painting sector and any off‑trail routes.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Catimbau National Park
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