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National park · Brazil

Ubajara National ParkParque Nacional de Ubajara

Enter Ubajara National Park for a half‑day cable‑car ride to the escarpment (R$30, ~US$6) and a short hike to the Grotto; for a full experience, take the 7 km (4.3 mi) Araticum trail with a guide (3 h, R$50) and visit the Samambaia waterfall trail (3 km (1.9 mi) each way).

Not field-verified
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

Some areas permit-onlyChecked Sep 2026
More
Map to the park
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
Directions
From where I am

Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.

Area

62 km² (24 sq mi)

approximate

Established

1959

Best months

Apr–May

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
62 km² (24 sq mi)
6,200 ha (check).
Established
1959
Best months
Apr–May
Permits
For some areas
Base
Fortaleza

Ubajara National Park, Brazil’s smallest national park, offers cloud‑forest scenery, waterfalls and a large grotto. Visitors can take a short cable‑car ride to the 820 m escarpment and viewpoint, then explore the Grotto, or opt for a full‑day guided hike on the 7 km Araticum trail and the Samambaia waterfall route.

Decide

Why go, which months, and what lives here when

At a glance

Status

  • No UNESCO listing; national park since 1959.

Size and age

62 km² (24 sq mi) · national park since 1959

6,200 ha (check).

This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Fortaleza.

Why go

  • Smallest Brazilian park but dense cloud forest, waterfalls and a large grotto.
  • Cable‑car gives quick access to the 820 m escarpment with panoramic views.

When to go

12-month verdict
  1. JanGo
  2. FebGo
  3. MarGo
  4. AprBest
  5. MayBest
  6. JunCaution
  7. JulCaution
  8. AugCaution
  9. SepCaution
  10. OctGo
  11. NovGo
  12. DecGo
  • JanWarm, dry; trails clear.
  • FebWarm, occasional rain.
  • MarStart of rainy season, still good.
  • AprCooler, less rain.
  • MayDry, comfortable.
  • JunRain increases.
  • JulRainy, higher humidity.
  • AugRainy, trails muddy.
  • SepRainy, occasional storms.
  • OctRain tapers, still warm.
  • NovDry, pleasant.
  • DecWarm, dry.

Wildlife and nature calendar

Seasons shift by weeks each year
Wildlife and nature calendar for Ubajara National Park
WhatJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Oncilla wildcatAll yearyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyes
Capybara, tapir, deerAll yearyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyes
Monkeys, batsAll yearyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyes
Hooded gnat‑eater, Buff‑breasted tody‑tyrant, Broad‑tipped hermit (hummingbird)Mar–Maynonoyesyesyesnonononononono

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 Fortaleza airport (FOR)

Bus to São Benedito (6 h 45 min, R$30 (≈ US$6)) then 20 km (12 mi) road to Ubajara town.

7–8 h

Open the page →

From São Benedito town

Taxi or local bus 20 km (12 mi) to Ubajara town, then road to park gate.

30 min

Zones and sectors

Zones of Ubajara National Park
ZoneWhat is thereAccess
Cable‑car baseValley station, visitor centre and ticket office.Open with ticket.
Escarpment topMirante do Pendurado viewpoint, trailheads.Open with cable‑car or guided hike.
Grotto areaSeries of nine chambers behind waterfall, lit path.Open with ticket; guided walk optional.

Sketch map

Approximate — not for navigation
Sketch map of 5 approximate points in Ubajara National Park, north up12345
Coordinates centred on the park entrance; other points approximate.
  1. 1São Benedito · Town≈-3.726, -40.950Bus hub 20 km (12 mi) from Ubajara.Map ↗
  2. 2Ubajara town · Town≈-3.791, -40.950Map ↗
  3. 3Cable‑car base · Gate≈-3.766, -40.898Map ↗
  4. 4Mirante do Pendurado · Viewpoint≈-3.760, -40.890Map ↗
  5. 5Grotto entrance · Cave≈-3.755, -40.885Map ↗

Take the points offline

GPX waypoints · approximate

5 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 centred on the park entrance; other points approximate.

See & do

Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking

Show Top experiencesHide

Top experiences

Boat tripsEasy15 min roundCable‑car rideFast view of the 820 m cliffs; operate year‑round.
TrailsHard3 hUbajara Araticum trailSteep sections, 7 km (4.3 mi) total.Booking: Guide required
TrailsModerate2 h roundSamambaia waterfall hikeLeads to Cafundó waterfall (90 m) and Gameleira viewpoint.
CavesEasy30 minGrotto visitLit path through nine chambers behind waterfall.
WildlifeEasyanyBirdwatchingLook for Hooded gnat‑eater, Buff‑breasted tody‑tyrant, Broad‑tipped hermit.

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

BRL ranges · check
Fees for Ubajara National Park
ItemRangePerNote
Cable‑car round tripBRL 30 (≈ US$6)personApprox. US$6 (2026 estimate).
Park entry (gate)FreepersonIncluded with cable‑car ticket.
Guide for Araticum trailBRL 50 (≈ US$10)personRequired for the 7 km hike.

Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.

Park entry permit or guide

Ticket at the gate near the cable‑car station.

Guided hike permit or guide

Book a park guide at the entrance; departures 8, 9, 10 am.

What would our group pay?

from the fee rows above · estimates

People

2

Nights or days

1
  • R$30≈ US$6
  • R$50≈ US$10

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

Drones, guides, camping and more
Guides
Required for any trail beyond the cable‑car area.
Camping
Not allowed inside the park; stay in Ubajara town.
Fire
Open fires prohibited; use designated picnic areas.
Litter
Carry out all rubbish.
Pets
Not permitted on trails.

Where to stay

Near the park

Ubajara town

Guesthouses and small hotels, 20 km (12 mi) from park gate.

Safety

Steep steps on cable‑car ascent medium

Wear sturdy shoes, watch footing.

Getting lost on Araticum trail high

Always with a guide; signal may be weak.

Rain making trails slippery medium

Check forecast; avoid trail in heavy rain.

How much daylight do you have?

computed for this spot

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

  • Visitor centre reachable by car; short walk to cable‑car station.
  • Cable‑car and viewpoint accessible for limited mobility; trails are steep.

Visiting lightly

  • Stay in local guesthouses to support community.
  • Use the official cable‑car route; do not create unofficial paths.

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to enter Ubajara National Park?

R$30 for a round‑trip cable‑car ticket, which includes park entry; a guided hike costs about R$50 per person.

What are the best hikes in Ubajara National Park?

The 7 km Ubajara Araticum trail (hard, with guide) and the 3 km Samambaia trail to Cafundó waterfall (moderate).

When is the best time to visit Ubajara National Park?

April to May offers cooler, drier weather; the dry season (Nov–Feb) is also good, while June‑August can be rainy.

Can I reach the Grotto without the cable‑car?

Yes, but you must walk the steep trail from the top; a guide is required.

Is camping allowed inside the park?

No, camping is prohibited; stay in Ubajara town.

Related

Brazil travel guide Best time to visit Brazil

Deep dive

Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go

Show the detailsHide

Sources

Ask about Ubajara National Park

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