Buracão waterfall

1 day

The Buracão Waterfall is renowned as the most impressive cascade in Chapada Diamantina. Located around 250 km from Lençóis, this excursion is perfect for visitors who have the time, energy, and enthusiasm to venture to the southern part of the national park. There, they can experience the breathtaking magic of this waterfall, which leaves no one untouched by its awe-inspiring beauty.

Buracão Waterfall tour

Practical Information

Excursion
Highlights

Duration: 1 day
Departure Time: 6:00 AM
Return Time: 9:00 PM
Total Walking Time: 2 hours
Total Driving Time (round trip): 7 hours

Orchid Waterfall
Recanto Verde (Green Nook) Waterfall
View of Buracão Waterfall from Above
Buracão Canyon
View of Buracão Waterfall from Below
Beautiful mountain views of Chapada Diamantina during the drive

What is not included?

Professional guide
Local professional guide in Ibicoara
Entrance fees
Round-trip transportation
Agency’s insurance

What is included?

Breakfast: Stop at a local snack
Lunch: Bring your own picnic
Snacks: You can bring your own if you wish
Optional Activity: Rappelling down Buracão Waterfall

What shall I Bring?

Hiking shoes or sneakers
Swimsuit
Towel
Sun protection (sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, UV shirt)
Water (1.5 L recommended)
Picnic

Hike overview

The Buracão Tour starts bright and early at 6 AM to make the most of a day that promises to be intense, scenic, and unforgettable. With about 7 hours of driving in total, getting an early start is key to fully enjoying one of the most jaw-dropping attractions in Chapada Diamantina: Buracão Waterfall.

After approximately 2 hours on the road, we make a stop in Mucugê, a charming historic town known for its traditional stone architecture. It’s the perfect place for a typical regional breakfast. Those who wish can also purchase their picnic lunch here, before continuing the journey about 1.5 more hours toward the start of the trail.

Once we arrive at the entrance to the Buracão Municipal Park, in the town of Ibicoara, the adventure takes on a new rhythm. Our driver-guide hands the group over to a certified local guide, a trusted partner of our agency and officially recognized by the municipality. From there, we begin hiking alongside the river, passing the beautiful Orchid Waterfall and making our way to the Buracão Viewpoint, which offers a breathtaking panoramic view from above.

The scene that unfolds is truly unforgettable. With its 85-meter free fall plunging into a large pool surrounded by vertical canyon walls, the true "big hole" that gives the waterfall its name Buracão Waterfall is one of the most awe-inspiring sights in the region. For the more adventurous, there's an option to rappel down to the base of the waterfall (optional activity, not included in the standard tour).

We continue our journey down into the canyon, passing the mystical Recanto Verde Waterfall, which appears through natural rock holes. Once we reach the canyon entrance, the park provides life vests, and we begin the most exciting part of the adventure: swimming upstream through a narrow corridor carved by the river.

Suddenly, after rounding a bend, we are face-to-face with the grand spectacle of Buracão Waterfall from below. It’s the kind of place that feels made for photography, especially if you have waterproof gear. You can even swim behind the curtain of water for a truly unique experience: standing inside one of Brazil’s most iconic waterfalls.

After soaking up the magic of this place, we begin our return. It’s about one hour of hiking back to the car and then another 3.5-hour drive to Lençóis. Tired, but energized and filled with unforgettable memories, we arrive in the evening. For those who wish, there's an optional dinner stop at a local restaurant on the way back, a relaxing way to end a truly epic day.

Total Distance: 11 km
Starting Point: 400 m
Highest Point: 750 m
Lowest Point: 400 m

Notes:

This tour is more impressive after heavy rains when the waterfalls are fuller and more spectacular.
Groups wishing to hike more can choose to walk the entire round trip from the agency, adding approximately 8 km to the journey.