Choose Your Chapada – Learn everything about the main Chapadas of Brazil

In recent decades, the chapadas have become a very popular ecotourism destination in Brazil. Discover the main Chapadas in Brazil, learn about the unique features of each of these stunning places, and choose the one that best matches your travel style as your next destination!

First of all… What does the term Chapada mean?

In geography, a chapada is defined as a flat highland area, usually located at elevations above 600 meters, with vast plateaus and relatively even terrain covered by low vegetation. However, for travelers, a chapada means breathtaking landscapes with sandstone cliffs, lush canyons, waterfalls, caves, lagoons, and other natural wonders found nowhere else in the world. The chapadas of Brazil are ideal ecotourism destinations for those seeking a deeper connection with nature and stunning natural beauty.

In Brazil, most chapadas are located in the North, Northeast, and Midwest regions. Many of them are protected by National Parks created to preserve their ecosystems.

In this post, we’ve gathered information about the main chapadas in Brazil open for visitation, highlighting the beauty and uniqueness of each one. Check it out!

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What are the main Chapadas in Brazil?

• Chapada Diamantina, Bahia

Located in the heart of Bahia, Chapada Diamantina is a true paradise for ecotourism and adventure travel lovers. Covering a total area of 70,000 km², it’s a sanctuary of natural beauty and home to some of the most impressive landscapes in Brazil. Chapada Diamantina is so vast and rich in ecosystems that it’s hard to find anyone who claims to have seen it all—there are countless natural attractions, including waterfalls, valleys, pools, caves, and trails for all tastes and experience levels!

How to get there: Lençóis Airport, Bahia (LEC) / Salvador, Bahia (SSA) + bus or transfer to Lençóis (about 400 km away).

When to go: Chapada Diamantina can be visited year-round—there’s no bad time to go. The rainy season (November to March) brings heavier rainfall and higher temperatures, making the trails muddier but the waterfalls more powerful. During the dry season (April to September), the region becomes greener, the temperatures milder, and rainfall is rare.

Where to stay: The charming colonial town of Lençóis is the most popular base in Chapada Diamantina, but other nearby towns also serve as excellent bases, such as Palmeiras, Vale do Capão, Andaraí, Igatu, and Guiné.

*Base city refers to towns with better tourist infrastructure and agencies that organize tours.

When it comes to tourist attractions, there are countless options for hikes, tours, and treks in Chapada Diamantina. Among them, the region’s famous pools (Poço Encantado, Poço Azul) and waterfalls (Fumaça, Buracão, Mosquito) stand out, offering refreshing swims in crystal-clear waters and breathtaking mountain views.

For the more adventurous, we recommend the Vale do Pati Trekking, considered one of the most beautiful hikes in Brazil. It consists of 2 to 5 days of hiking through a vast area surrounded by mountains, filled with waterfalls and natural beauty, where nature remains almost untouched. Among its many highlights are the Cachoeirão por Cima (a 300-meter-high waterfall) and Morro do Castelo, which offers incredible panoramic views of the Chapada, reached by crossing a cave to get to the summit. In addition, overnight stays and main meals are hosted in the homes of local residents right in the middle of the valley, making the experience even more unique!

• Chapada dos Guimarães, Mato Grosso

Chapada dos Guimarães is located about 60 km from Cuiabá, the capital of the state of Mato Grosso, in the Midwest region of Brazil. It features several paleontological and archaeological sites, river springs, waterfalls, environmental protection areas, and much more. Being the smallest chapada in Brazil and easily accessible from Cuiabá, Chapada dos Guimarães has become the perfect destination for a long weekend getaway.

How to get there: Cuiabá Airport (CGB), located about 80 km from Chapada.

When to go: We recommend visiting Chapada dos Guimarães during the dry season (from April to September), which is the warmest period in the region, with more clear-sky days, rare rainfall, and crystal-clear waterfall waters. During the winter (December to March), there is frequent fog, which can obstruct views from the lookouts. In addition, temperatures drop significantly, and strong winds are common. During this time, you should also be cautious of flash floods, as they can make access to the waterfalls unsafe.

Where to stay: In the small base town also called Chapada dos Guimarães, located close to the main attractions.

One of the main characteristics of Chapada dos Guimarães is that hiring local guides is required to hike or take tours within the boundaries of the National Park. We recommend visiting the impressive Véu da Noiva Waterfall, the postcard attraction of the Chapada, with its 86-meter drop cascading down a granite wall into a large natural pool. Other must-see tours include the Waterfalls Circuit, the hike to Morro de São Jerônimo, the Aroe Jari Caves, and the Cidade das Pedras rock formations—unmissable natural attractions.

• Chapada dos Veadeiros, Goiás

Located in the heart of Brazil, in the northeastern part of the state of Goiás, Chapada dos Veadeiros is one of the best-known chapadas in the country. It is home to breathtaking landscapes and an incredibly rich biodiversity. Set within the Cerrado biome, the National Park features a variety of vegetation formations, hundreds of springs, streams, and waterfalls, ancient rock formations, and stunning scenery. The park also preserves areas of former mining activity, which are part of the region’s history, and it is known as one of the most mystical places in Brazil due to its quartz crystals and rock paintings scattered throughout the area.

How to get there: Brasília Airport (BSB), located approximately 250 km from the various base towns of the Chapada.

When to go: Due to its semi-tropical climate, there’s no bad time to visit Chapada dos Veadeiros. As with Chapada Diamantina, the rainy season (November to March) brings a higher volume of water to the waterfalls, and the small towns become livelier. During the dry season (April to September), the region often experiences little to no rain, and some of the main waterfalls may dry up. However, during this period, the days are sunnier, the nights cooler, and the sunsets even more beautiful.

Where to stay: The main base towns in the region are São Jorge (a small, charming village and gateway to the Chapada), Alto Paraíso, and Cavalcante.

Another ecotourism paradise, Chapada dos Veadeiros offers a wide variety of trails leading to breathtaking waterfalls and viewpoints. Among its many attractions, the Santa Bárbara Waterfall stands out for its crystal-clear blue waters, as well as the beautiful Almécegas I and Almécegas II waterfalls. The Vale da Lua (Valley of the Moon), with its rock formations sculpted by the river that resemble lunar craters, is also an unmissable attraction.

We also highlight the Sertão Zen Trail, which offers an incredible view of the vastness of the Chapada and its impressive waterfall. For the more adventurous, the stunning Eastern Crossing (Travessia Leste) is an unmissable trekking route. Lasting between 5 and 8 days, this journey passes through beautiful valleys, mountains, canyons, and waterfalls with almost no visitation.

• Chapada das Mesas, Maranhão

Located in the southern part of the state of Maranhão, in northeastern Brazil, Chapada das Mesas is another ecotourism paradise that impresses with its majestic nature, countless waterfalls, and fascinating rock formations that look like natural sculptures. Chapada das Mesas encompasses a stretch of sertão within the Cerrado biome and offers perfect landscapes for adventure sports such as hiking, trekking, rafting, rappelling, and diving.

How to get there: Airports of Araguaína (TO) or Imperatriz (MA), both about a 2 to 3-hour drive from the Chapada. For those with more time, it’s also possible to fly into Palmas Airport (TO), which is about a 7-hour drive to the Chapada.

When to go: Due to the region’s intense heat and frequent rainfall during the summer (November to March), it is not recommended to visit at that time. The ideal period to explore Chapada das Mesas is from May to September, when the days are sunnier and there is little to no rain.

Where to stay: We recommend staying in the base town of Carolina, which offers the best infrastructure and is closest to most attractions. Riachão and Filadélfia are also good alternatives.

Among numerous natural attractions, we recommend visiting the stunning Santuário Waterfalls and the Poço Encanto Azul, with their crystal-clear, warm waters that are perfect for swimming. Watching the sunrise or sunset from the natural viewpoint of Pedra Furada is also an unforgettable experience. In addition, there are many trails and trekking routes leading to the top of the mountain range, such as the Chapada das Mesas Viewpoint Trail, which has been featured in several TV programs.

• Chapada do Araripe, Ceará, Piauí e Pernambuco

Chapada do Araripe, one of the lesser-known chapadas in Brazil, is a vast plateau that divides the northeastern states of Ceará, Piauí, and Pernambuco. It differs from the others by being located in a semi-arid region, yet surrounded by water sources—remaining green even during long dry seasons—and is considered a true “lung” for the sertão. Chapada do Araripe offers many attractions, such as the Araripe Forest, natural springs, caves, and paleontological sites. However, since the region does not receive many tourists, there are few agencies organizing tours. The best way to visit Chapada do Araripe is by renting a car from Juazeiro do Norte.

How to get there: Juazeiro do Norte Airport (JDO) + approximately 1 hour by bus or transfer to the Chapada.

When to go: Due to the arid climate and intense heat in the region, it is advisable to avoid the summer months, from December to March.

Where to stay: Base towns of Crato or Barbalha.

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In addition to the five main chapadas in Brazil mentioned earlier, there are also three lesser-known ones that are equally ideal destinations for adventure sports enthusiasts seeking both thrills and tranquility.

In the state of São Paulo, about 300 km from the capital, lies Chapada Guarani. It features an adventure tourism circuit filled with valleys, mountain ranges, and beautiful landscapes crossed by crystal-clear rivers, rapids, and waterfalls—making it a perfect spot for extreme water sports such as rafting, tubing, canoeing, and canyoning.

The state of Mato Grosso is home to not just one but two chapadas. Chapada dos Parecis, located within Indigenous Lands (demarcated by FUNAI) and near the Bolivian border, is the perfect place to admire the exuberant nature and learn about Brazil’s Indigenous peoples.

And finally, there is Chapada dos Perdizes, located between the municipalities of Minduri and Carrancas, in Minas Gerais. It is known as the land of springs in southern Minas and, surrounded by mountains such as Serra da Mantiqueira and Serra de São José, it is the ideal place for long-distance hiking.

In summary, Brazil is one of the top adventure destinations in the world. So, how about enjoying everything our beautiful country has to offer by exploring the wonders of the chapadas?

We hope this helps you choose your next vacation destination ツ