Catimbau National Park

National Park Brazilian national park with dramatic sandstone canyons

Catimbau National Park in Pernambuco features sandstone canyons, rock formations and prehistoric rock art; visitors hike trails, photograph eroded cliffs and study archaeological sites in the semi‑arid Caatinga.

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Catimbau National Park
Parque Nacional do Catimbau, Buíque municipality, Pernambuco, Brazil
-8.6167, -37.1500
Entrance to the park is free; some guided services or park facilities may charge modest fees.

How to Get to Catimbau National Park #

The park is reached from Recife by road (approximately 260-300 km); the nearest town with services is Buíque. Bus routes connect Buíque to Recife; from Buíque local transport or guides provide access to park trailheads. A car or guided transfer is the most practical way to explore the park’s interior.

Tips for Visiting Catimbau National Park #

  • Hire a local, licensed guide to visit rock-art panels - guides know the safe routes and the locations of panels such as the Painted Canyon.
  • Visit early morning to avoid heat and to see the canyon light sculpt the sandstone pillars.
  • Bring sun protection and expect desert dust; some stretches are remote and without services.

Best Time to Visit Catimbau National Park #

The park is best visited in the dry season (May-September) for reliable trail conditions and comfortable hiking temperatures.

Dry Season
May-September · 60-85°F (15-29°C)
Cooler, drier conditions ideal for hiking and photographing the sandstone formations.
Shoulder Wet Season
October-December · 70-90°F (21-32°C)
Occasional showers but dramatic skies; some trails may be muddy.

Weather & Climate near Catimbau National Park #

Climate

Catimbau National Park's climate is classified as Tropical Savanna - Tropical Savanna climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 15°C to 29°C. Moderate rainfall (886 mm/year).

Air Quality: AQI 32 Good
Best Time to Visit
OctoberNovemberSeptember
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
39°
Warmest Month
13°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the warmest month with highs of 29°C and lows of 18°C. Moderate rainfall (66 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

79 Very Good

Comfort

23°
Feels Like Mild
23°C
Temperature
18° 29°
64%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

66 mm
Rainfall
2.2 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.7
UV Index
Extreme
12.4h daylight

February

February is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 17°C. Regular rainfall (87 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

77 Very Good

Comfort

23°
Feels Like Mild
23°C
Temperature
17° 28°
67%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

87 mm
Rainfall
1.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.7
UV Index
Extreme
12.3h daylight

March

March is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 17°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (134 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

73 Very Good

Comfort

22°
Feels Like Mild
22°C
Temperature
17° 28°
68%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

134 mm
Rainfall
1.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.6
UV Index
Extreme
12.0h daylight

April

April is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 17°C. Significant rainfall (122 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

75 Very Good

Comfort

22°
Feels Like Mild
22°C
Temperature
17° 26°
72%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

122 mm
Rainfall
2.1 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.3
UV Index
Extreme
11.8h daylight

May

May is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 17°C. Regular rainfall (99 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

75 Very Good

Comfort

21°
Feels Like Mild
21°C
Temperature
17° 25°
77%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

99 mm
Rainfall
2.0 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.9
UV Index
Very High
11.6h daylight

June

June is mild with highs of 23°C and lows of 16°C. Significant rainfall (115 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

73 Very Good

Comfort

20°
Feels Like Mild
20°C
Temperature
16° 23°
81%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

115 mm
Rainfall
2.4 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.7
UV Index
Very High
11.5h daylight

July

July is mild with highs of 22°C and lows of 15°C. Significant rainfall (103 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

77 Very Good

Comfort

19°
Feels Like Mild
19°C
Temperature
15° 22°
80%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

103 mm
Rainfall
2.7 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.8
UV Index
Very High
11.6h daylight

August

August is mild with highs of 23°C and lows of 15°C. Moderate rainfall (52 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

83 Excellent

Comfort

19°
Feels Like Mild
19°C
Temperature
15° 23°
76%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

52 mm
Rainfall
2.2 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.1
UV Index
Extreme
11.7h daylight

September

September is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 15°C. Light rainfall.

89 Excellent

Comfort

20°
Feels Like Mild
20°C
Temperature
15° 24°
70%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

26 mm
Rainfall
2.3 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.4
UV Index
Extreme
11.9h daylight

October

October is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 17°C. The driest month with just 20 mm.

91 Ideal

Comfort

22°
Feels Like Mild
22°C
Temperature
17° 27°
65%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

20 mm
Rainfall
2.3 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.6
UV Index
Extreme
12.2h daylight

November

November is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 17°C. Light rainfall.

91 Ideal

Comfort

23°
Feels Like Mild
23°C
Temperature
17° 29°
60%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

24 mm
Rainfall
1.6 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.7
UV Index
Extreme
12.4h daylight

December

December is the warmest month with highs of 29°C and lows of 18°C. Moderate rainfall (38 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

87 Excellent

Comfort

23°
Feels Like Mild
23°C
Temperature
18° 29°
60%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

38 mm
Rainfall
1.5 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.7
UV Index
Extreme
12.5h daylight

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