Explore the Chapada Diamantina

Delve into a landscape of table mountains, waterfalls, grottoes and lagoons within reach of bustling Salvador da Bahia.

While many visitors stick to Brazil’s coastline, we suggest you let the natural beauty of the Chapada Diamantina lure you inland. From your base in the pretty town of Lençois, set out with a guide to see some of the most striking scenery the country has to offer, where table mountains erupt from the flat sertão, waterfalls plummet into black lagoons and the area’s many intriguing caves and grottoes shelter dazzlingly vivid turquoise pools.

You’ll be able to swim just metres from the spray of a waterfall, and there are even opportunities to zipline into a blue lagoon or toboggan down a natural waterslide. If you are feeling energetic, climb 500m up stone steps up to the flat-topped Pai Inacio hill with its splendid panoramic view of the table-top scenery, especially stunning at sunset.

Activity Rating: moderate