Chapada Diamantina National Park

Chapada Diamantina National Park in central Bahia conserves a highland plateau of mesas, valleys, caves and waterfalls known for dramatic landscapes and extensive hiking opportunities. The area became a national park to protect its unique table-top plateaus and water systems.

Visitors explore scenic lookout points, long canyons, high waterfalls such as Cachoeira da Fumaça, limestone caves with clear pools and well-marked trails of varying difficulty. Small towns such as Lençóis serve as bases for multi-day treks, day hikes and guided cave visits.

The region’s name reflects a historical diamond-mining phase, and parts of the plateau were later designated for conservation to preserve geological features and biodiversity as tourism developed. Park infrastructure focuses on visitor management and trail maintenance.

The park sits in the interior of Bahia state, with Lençóis and other towns acting as gateway points; the landscape is upland plateau with dramatic escarpments, plateaus and river valleys.

• Hiking logistics: Many trails are remote and can require several hours or full days - guided hikes are recommended for safety and route finding in the park.
• Best season: The dry season, roughly May to September, is generally the best period for hiking and for seeing waterfalls at accessible flow levels rather than heavy rains.

What to See #

• Fumaça Waterfall: Cachoeira da Fumaça, a high waterfall noted for its plume-like spray that often disperses before reaching the valley floor.
• Morro do Pai Inácio: Morro do Pai Inácio, a prominent viewpoint and short hike that provides wide views across the plateau and valleys.
• Caves and pools (Poço Encantado, Gruta Lapa Doce): Caves and blue-water pools such as Poço Encantado and Gruta Lapa Doce, which combine cavern passages with clear subterranean pools and limestone formations.