Before I start, let me tell you I had a problem with my computer so I could not post last week. I am still figuring things out but I hope everything will be fine soon.
Two weeks ago, I posted a lot of photos with a nature background, so let me introduce you to Chapada Diamantina. Chapada is one the biggest natural parks in Brazil and also the most known one in Bahia state.
First, Chapada is not the place for everybody… If you love the nature, you will love it, if you do not: maybe just pass it. Chapada is where you really feel connected to the nature. The silence, the smell, the untouchable landscape… It is pretty nice if you want to relax and it really takes you to another dimension different from the busy and crazy world we are used to.
My trip to Chapada Diamantina
I am sharing a trip of 4 days to explore the beauty of Chapada. You can also stay longer but in 4 days I think you can see the most important places there.
When you get the bus from Salvador to Chapada Diamantina there are 2 cities that allow you to explore the park very well: Lençóis and Capão.
How to get to Chapada from Salvador?
I took a night bus from Salvador to Lençóis (6 hours ride) and it cost me 80 reais each way.
The bus leaves you in the city center (Lençóis is a very small village) and you can catch the bus from Rodoviária station in Salvador. You can get there by bus during the day or by uber/ taxi at night (it is safer) and the ride is less than 20 reais if there is no traffic.
What to visit?
I am presenting a plan of 4 full days using guides or public transports. However, if you are going with a group of friends, just rent a car once you arrive. It is more flexible, cheaper and you can enjoy as much time in each place as you wish. In this case, I advise you to get a good map of Chapada and to use the app map’s me. It is a free app that you can use without internet and it shows you all the important places to visit and how to get there.
One important thing: Make sure you are going with people who are used to do sport or at least who are prepare to walk a lot because Chapada is intense. Sometimes is not about the km’s , it is the rocks you have to jump or the little ways you have to take. For those you like adventure it is nice, specially because you always get to finish your way with the view of an amazing waterfall.
1st day – Arriving in Lençóis
Arriving at 6 am, find your hostel/ hotel, take a little nap and have a good breakfast before you leave. Make sure you take some lunch with you and water.
For the first day I advice places that you do not have to walk a lot.
– Cachoeira Serrano
– Poço Halley
– Cachoeira da Primavera
In the first one you can see rocks with different colors and a lot of locals enjoying the fresh water. The second one, you can bath in clay. The water here is pretty dark. The third one, Cachoeira Primaveira, is difficult to get there. Believe me, you are going to be happy once you arrive and you can enjoy the fresh water.
– Ribeira do Meio
Ribeira do Meio has got a very good way to get there (a bit touristic because you have even bars on the way) and the silence there is powerful. There you are just with the nature: the sun, the music of the water and colorful rocks.
The water of the waterfalls is drinkable but guides advice people to mix it with bottle water. If you like reptiles, get ready to see a lot of them.
2nd day – Lençóis
On the second day I decided to do an organized trip because I did not have a car. I did ROTEIRO 1 where you get to see the most important places in Chapada.
– Rio Mucugezinho
– Poço do Diabo
– Gruta da Fumacinha
My day started pretty early and my first destination was Rio Mucugezinho and Poço do Diabo. Poço do Diabo is nice and deep (8 m deep). The guide usually asks you to use life jacket if you pretend to swim. Afterwards I went to Gruta Fumacinha.
– Gruta da Pratinha
– Poço azul
– Morro do Pai Inácio
Poço Azul is known to be the fate deep for is clear blue water. According to the guide Poço azul has the bluest color between April and September. I finished my day in Morro do Pai Inácio. The view up there is amazing and the sunset one of the most beautiful to see in Chapada.
Curiosity: Morro used to be just one mountain but as you can see in the first picture of the post, today 3 mountains are form by the erosion of the water.
Why the name: Morro do Pai Inácio? Inácio was known to be handsome, strong and intelligent. He was respected by black people but also by his “owner”. He would cure people with his skills. His owner respected him until the day he discovered Inácio was dating his daughter. On that day, the owner ordered all the military force find out where Inácio was and kill him. Legend says Inácios’ skills allowed him to run away from the troops with the owners’ daughter. A really hero!! ahahah
3rd day – Trip to Vale do Capão
You can take a bus to Capão from Lençóis. It takes 1h to get to Palmeiras and once you arrive you need to rent a car and drive until Capão. Once you arrive there, make sure you visit Cachoeira Fumaça, known as one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Brazil.
4th day – Trip back to Salvador
Discover the buildings, talk to people and explore every tigh street.
After that you must take the bus back to Lençóis and final the bus to Salvador.
Hope you enjoyed my description of Chapada and do not hesitate to ask me any question.
Beijinho,
Daniela