National park · Brazil
Pedra Azul State ParkParque Estadual de Pedra Azul
Visit Pedra Azul State Park: pay the entry fee, take the guided Blue Rock trail (≈1 km (0.6 mi)) in the morning, and stay in a nearby pousada; avoid hiking alone.Visit Pedra Azul State Park: pay the entry fee, take the guided Blue Rock trail (≈0.6 mi (1 km)) in the morning, and stay in a nearby pousada; avoid hiking alone.
- 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.
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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
12 km² (5 sq mi)5 sq mi (12 km²)
approximate
Established
1990
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
- 12 km² (5 sq mi)5 sq mi (12 km²)
- The park occupies roughly 12 km² of protected land (official sources give 12 km²; boundaries may vary).
- Established
- 1990
- Best months
- Apr–May
- Permits
- For some areas
Pedra Azul State Park, created in the 1990s in Espírito Santo, protects a 1,909‑m granite peak that turns blue in the sun, the Lizard Rock formation, and a network of short trails that lead to natural pools and viewpoints. All hikes require a licensed guide, and the park offers wildlife such as capuchin monkeys, armadillos and ocelots. It is reachable from Domingos Martins (≈46 km) and nearby pousadas provide accommodation.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1990.
Size and age
12 km² (5 sq mi)5 sq mi (12 km²) · national park since 1990
The park occupies roughly 12 km² of protected land (official sources give 12 km²; boundaries may vary).
Why go
- The 1,909‑m blue granite peak dominates the landscape and offers striking views.
- Short, guided trails lead to natural pools and the iconic Lizard Rock formation.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanCool nights, dry mornings.
- FebMild, low rain.
- MarStart of the dry season.
- AprDry, sunny, comfortable hiking.
- MayStable weather, low humidity.
- JunRain increases; trails can be slippery.
- JulHigher rain risk, cooler temps.
- AugRainy month, possible trail closures.
- SepRain tapers, good visibility.
- OctDry, pleasant temperatures.
- NovMild, low rain.
- DecCool, dry.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brown Capuchin monkey, armadillo, collared anteater, ocelot, toucan, bellbird, brocket deer, crab‑eating raccoon, grand tanager, song‑thrushAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Buffy‑Headed Marmoset, jaguar, Barbado freshwater fishAll 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 Domingos Martins
Take a taxi or local bus 46 km (29 mi) north on BR‑262 to the park entrance.Take a taxi or local bus 29 mi (46 km) north on BR‑262 to the park entrance.
≈1 h
From Vitória (state capital)
Bus to Domingos Martins (≈2 h) then transfer to a taxi for the 46 km (29 mi) park road.Bus to Domingos Martins (≈2 h) then transfer to a taxi for the 29 mi (46 km) park road.
≈3 h
Open the page →
From Espírito Santo airport (VIX)
Fly to Vitória, then follow the route above.
≈4 h total
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Information Center | Ticket office, guide booking desk, basic visitor amenities. | Open daily; entry requires guide. |
| Blue Rock Trail | 1 km (0.6 mi) steep trail to the summit and natural pools.0.6 mi (1 km) steep trail to the summit and natural pools. | Guided only. |
| Lizard Rock area | Scenic viewpoint on the right slope. | Guided only. |
Sketch map
- 1Pedra Azul Information Center · Headquarters≈-20.413, -41.023Main entrance and guide booking point.Map ↗
- 2Blue Rock Summit · Viewpoint≈-20.410, -41.020Summit reached via guided trail.Map ↗
- 3Lizard Rock · Viewpoint≈-20.412, -41.022Scenic rock formation on the right slope.Map ↗
- 4Domingos Martins · Town≈-20.367, -40.850Nearest town with accommodation.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 are taken from the official park website; exact trailhead points are approximate.
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 (guided hike required) | Free | person | Entry is free but a guide is mandatory; guide fee varies (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Guided hike permit or guide
Park rules
- Guides
- All hikes require a licensed guide; hiking alone is prohibited.
- Camping
- Camping inside the park is not allowed; stay in nearby pousadas.
- Fire
- Open fires are prohibited; use designated facilities only.
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; bins are limited.
Where to stay
Near the park
Pousadas near the park
Small hotels with sauna, pool, and sometimes fireplace; 10–20 min drive to the entrance.
Near the park
Domingos Martins town
Broader range of hotels, restaurants, and transport options.
Safety
Steep, rocky sections medium
Rain‑induced trail slip 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
- Information Center reachable by car; short walks to trailheads.
- Trail sections are steep and uneven; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Hire local guides to support park management.
- Stay in locally‑run pousadas and buy food locally.
- Do not feed wildlife or remove natural objects.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Pedra Azul State Park?
Entry itself is free, but a licensed guide is mandatory; guide fees vary (typically R$50–R$100 per person).
What are the best hikes in Pedra Azul State Park?
The guided Blue Rock Trail (≈1 km) to the summit and natural pools, and the short Lizard Rock viewpoint walk, both start from the information center each morning.
When is the best time to visit Pedra Azul State Park?
April to May and September to October offer dry, comfortable conditions; the park remains accessible year‑round but rain in June‑August can make trails slippery.
Can I hike without a guide?
No. State park regulations require a guide for all trails to protect the environment and ensure safety.
Is camping allowed inside the park?
Camping is prohibited; stay in nearby pousadas or in Domingos Martins.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Pedra Azul State Park
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