Complete Guide to Chapada dos Veadeiros

This is going to be a more generic post about Chapada dos Veadeiros. I'm going to talk about a little bit of everything that happens there, from the waterfalls and radical activities that you can do to the cities that are closest and where to eat there.

In the next posts I will talk specifically about some waterfalls and the tricks I caught when I went there. Just to summarize, the place is amazing and if you are thinking of going there or have your trip booked, it is worth reading the post until the end! If you are not even thinking about going to Chapada dos Veadeiros, take a look at the photos that you will change your mind ????

Where is Chapada dos Veadeiros

Chapada dos Veadeiros is located in the north of the state of Goiás. For those who leave Brasília it is about 220km away until arriving in Alto Paraíso de Goiás (which as you can see on the map below, is the closest city to our federal district) .

It is a very peaceful trip to take by car. You just take straight and the road quality is very good. Only when you get a little closer to Alto Paraíso that you pass through some more hectic stretches without much signage, but that still has no hole and you can drive without problems.

Where to Stay in Chapada dos Veadeiros

Just to give you an idea, Chapada dos Veadeiros has about 65,000 hectares of area and you can reach its waterfalls and natural beauty in 5 municipalities in Goiás. The main cities to stay in Chapada dos Veadeiros are:

• Alto Paraíso de Goiás
• Sao Jorge
• Cavalcante

In my opinion, Alto Paraíso is an excellent option, it is very centralized and from there you can go to Cavalcante, to the waterfalls in São Jorge and to all the other main ones. Anyway, there are a lot of people that I know who preferred the town of São Jorge, because it is more “rustic” and has a nice atmosphere.

It is worth taking a look at pictures of the 2 places, looking for a nice hostel with a nice price and deciding, for sure the two options will be good and are relatively close to each other (36 km). Only Cavalcante even though it is a little further away from the main attractions I knew (with the exception of Cachoeira de Santa Bárbara).

What to do in Chapada dos Veadeiros

Chapada Waterfalls

Just so you know, there are a few hundred waterfalls over there and, if you were thinking of getting to know them all in one trip, you'll have to rethink. Unless it's a one-way trip and you start living there (I met a restaurant owner from Rio who did just that).

I will list the waterfalls that I liked the most and that I visited:

• Santa Bárbara Waterfall

This is a must and you need to know! There may be people who say it's far (because Cavalcante is really far), but it doesn't matter, it's the type of waterfall you don't see anywhere. The water is crystal clear, blue as in the photo, anyway, go for me, go there if you are in Chapada dos Veadeiros.

• Capivara Waterfall

This is a plus for those who went to Santa Bárbara waterfall. I'm on my side and it's worth knowing either before or after visiting one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Brazil.

• Poço Encantado Waterfall

I'll talk more about it in another post, but to sum up, this one is only worth going to if you go to Santa Bárbara waterfall. It is on the way between Alto Paraíso de Goiás and Cavalcante. So if you leave Cavalcante early to come back, I think it's cool to go through it. Access is very easy, so there is no mystery.

• Couros Waterfall

I never went to Foz do Iguaçu, so when it comes to the power of nature, this was certainly one of the most beautiful shows I've ever seen. In addition to this waterfall wall, walking the 3 km trail you are also presented with a waterfall that the Chapada dos Veadeiros called “Almécegas 1000” for the strength it has.

• Almécegas I and II Waterfalls

Swimming in the Almécegas I pool is very nice and for those who believe in mysticism, it is a super positive energy. In addition to it, you can go to Almécegas 2, which is also very cool and provides interesting jumping points. These two waterfalls are located at Fazenda São Bento.

• São Bento Waterfall

In addition to Almécegas, you can swim in this Olympic size pool.

• Vale da Lua Waterfall

A little after Fazenda São Bento, still on the way to the village of São Jorge, you arrive at Vale da Lua. It is amazing how different the rock formations are. When I went it was rainy season, so I didn't even get to dive, but it's worth it nonetheless.

• Saltos Waterfall

A waterfall of 80m and another of 120m inside the Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park

• Loquinhas Waterfall

Many people love this series of waterfalls because of the easy access and the transparency of the waters.

• Other waterfalls of Chapada dos Veadeiros:
• Abismo Waterfall
• Waterfall of the Apes
• Macaquinhos Waterfall
• Cristais Waterfall
• Raizama Waterfall
• Sertão Zen Waterfall
• Meeting of the Waters
• Waterfall Angels and Archangels
• and much more…

Other activities to elevate Adrenaline in Chapada dos Veadeiros

• Tirolesa at Fazenda São Bento - Flight of the Hawk

For those who enjoy adrenaline this is one of the largest zip lines in Brazil with 850 meters long and 100m high. When descending you can reach 55km / h

• Canopy
• Rafting - Rio Tocantinzinho

I don't know about you, but although I don't do it often, I'm passionate about rafting. It's fun, you're in direct contact with nature in one of its wildest forms and it's still an exercise for the body. With so many rivers, it would not be difficult to do this activity. Usually rafting is done on the Tocantinzinho River and there are some different difficulty levels for practitioners from the most experienced to beginners.

• Bike
• Trekking and Crossings

This photo in particular is from the canyon trail. In addition to this there is a series of other heavy activities of trails and crossings such as the 7 Falls and Terra Ronca.

• Rappelling
• Among many other ecotourism activities

Guesthouses, Hotels and Restaurants in Chapada dos Veadeiros

Hotels and Inns:

• Tapindaré Hotel
  
• It’s also always a good option to take a look at Airbnb
  

When I went, I stayed at the Tapindaré Hotel, I found the cost-benefit to be quite fair and it is well located in the center of Alto Paraíso de Goiás. I would like.

• Maya Hostel
  
• Pousada Recanto da Grande Paz
  
• Pousada das Cerejeiras (Casa Rosa)

Restaurants:

• Jambalya Restaurant

Sensational option for those who are 2. Candlelit restaurant, with wonderful food and live music (at least when I went there, it is worth checking if it is always or only on holidays).

• Cantinho dos Sabores (Delicious and cheap pizzeria)
• Peregrino (Restaurant with a good price in the center of Alto Paraíso)

How long should I stay

There is no ideal time to stay in Chapada dos Veadeiros, as I said at the beginning, there are hundreds of waterfalls. Now, on my last trip I spent 4 days (arriving on the first day of the night) and found little. I'll talk a little more about this in a next post, but if I were you would put on paper what you intend to visit and then divide the days, to get a 100% sense of what would be possible even within the time you have.

I believe that 5 to 6 days is a good time to spend there. Now, if you have a holiday and you can travel without spending a holiday and want to know my opinion if it's worth it? I certainly think it's worth it, that's what I did hehehe.

A little bit of history: Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park

Although the space has existed for much longer and, with about 10 times the current size, the Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park was created in 1961. Before that year, its name was Tocantins National Park and had about 625 thousand hectares protected area. Due to financial and political interests, it was reduced to the current 65,000 hectares.

In 1972, one of these decreases occurred, going to 172,000 hectares. To make you aware, the Ministry of Agriculture made the request (I wonder if there was any interest involved). The formal request included this pearl: “We suggest a reexamination of the airline in the Chapada dos Veadeiros, in view of the economic and social problem arising from the creation of the Park, without the proper acquisition of land. This has led to a decrease in agricultural and mining activities, making life difficult for the rural population and the economic survival of the municipality of Alto Paraíso, today reduced the area of ​​the city by the decree creating the Park. ” (Luiz Lima, 2004).

In 1981, the Park was again reduced due to the Project “Agropecuarios Alto Paraíso”. That is, whenever the preservation area of ​​the Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park was reduced, particular interests were prioritized.

To conclude our history, more recently in 2001, it was recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, and its area was expanded to 235,000 hectares. If you were feeling happy, forget it, because the Expansion Decree was suspended in 2003 by the STF, due to failures in the process and public consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What unique natural attractions and activities does Chapada dos Veadeiros offer, and how accessible are they for average travelers?

Chapada dos Veadeiros offers unique attractions like waterfalls, canyons, and hiking trails. Many of these attractions are accessible for average travelers, with varying levels of hiking difficulty, and some areas are more suited for adventurous or experienced hikers.