Chapada Diamantina

Located in Bahia’s interior, around six hours due west of Salvador, the Chapada Diamantina (Diamond Plateau) is an ancient geological region whose impressive ensemble of mountains and canyons, grottoes and waterfalls, have transformed it into Brazil’s top eco-tourism destination. Most of the region’s most spectacular natural attractions – including Brazil’s highest waterfall, the Cachoeira da Fumaça — are located within the frontiers of the Chapada Diamantina National Park. Aside from hiking for hours (or days) over rocky landscapes sprinkled with wild orchids and bromeliads, it’s possible to indulge in sports as radical as trekking, ...

Located in Bahia’s interior, around six hours due west of Salvador, the Chapada Diamantina (Diamond Plateau) is an ancient geological region whose impressive ensemble of mountains and canyons, grottoes and waterfalls, have transformed it into Brazil’s top eco-tourism destination. Most of the region’s most spectacular natural attractions – including Brazil’s highest waterfall, the Cachoeira da Fumaça — are located within the frontiers of the Chapada Diamantina National Park. Aside from hiking for hours (or days) over rocky landscapes sprinkled with wild orchids and bromeliads, it’s possible to indulge in sports as radical as trekking, climbing, and rappelling, or as tame as floating in a Coca-Cola-colored river. The park’s splendors are anchored by a handful of charming, colonial diamond mining towns where a back-to-nature ethos mingles with a rich local culture, most apparent in myriad traditional festivals as well as a unique cuisine that makes creative use of products such as jackfruit, sun-dried beef, and cactus.

About the Expert

Michael Sommers is the author of Moon Brazil and Moon Rio, as well as the blog Thrill of Brazil. He has been living in Salvador, Brazil since 1999.