travel in Chapada Diamantina

All our tips to

How to get to Chapada (or leave Chapada) by PLANE ?

Salvador - Lençóis or Lençóis - Salvador operated by Azul Airlines

2 flights per week: Thursday and Sunday

Belo Horizonte - Lençóis or Lençóis - Belo Horizonte operated by Azul Airlines

2 flights per week: Thursday and Sunday

These flights return to their origin city the same day, with only about an hour stop in Lençóis. Therefore, it’s possible to arrive or depart by plane only on these two days of the week.

We can arrange a taxi for you between Lençóis Airport and our hostel.

How to get to Chapada (or leave Chapada) by BUS?

Important information: you won’t find all schedules and companies online. The tricky part is knowing which companies operate which routes and at what times! Booking websites aren’t complete, they only show buses departing from the searched city. This means they are not responsible for selling tickets when a bus makes a brief five-minute stop at a location on the way. In short, it’s complicated!

Only one bus company goes from Salvador to Chapada Diamantina: Real Expresso / Rápido Federal / Guanabara

On their website, you can see regular schedules and extra schedules. Additional buses, called “executivos,” are sometimes added in high season or on holidays (at a higher price).

www.realexpresso.com.br

Two types of seats:

Regular
Leito: seat that reclines up to 45° (more expensive)

→ From Salvador to Lençóis:

Three daily departures: 7:00 a.m. / 1:00 p.m. / 11:00 p.m.

→ From Lençóis to Salvador:

Three daily departures: 9:00 a.m. / 1:30 p.m. / 10:45 p.m.

→ How do I book my ticket ?

The easiest way is to book online, using the following sites:
Directly at the Real Expresso ticket counter in the bus stations (rodoviárias) where they operate: Lençóis, Salvador, Feira de Santana, Seabra, Palmeiras. However, there is a risk of not finding available seats at the last minute.
It is also possible to book on the Real Expresso website if you have a Cadastro de Pessoa Física (CPF). If you don’t have one, you may need to ask a Brazilian for help, as everyone has a CPF, though it’s not guaranteed they will lend it to you. There are also online CPF generators that may assist you.

→ Additional information about bus transportation

Attention! Night buses are always more popular, in both directions. It is therefore essential to book your seat at least 24 hours in advance!

You can request to pay for your ticket without the "Seguro" (insurance). This is optional and unnecessary. If you do not wish to pay for the insurance, ask for the "Sem Seguro" (No Insurance) fare!

After your stay in Chapada, you don’t need to go back through Salvador to head north (Maceió, Recife, Pipa) or south (Boipeba, Morro de São Paulo, Itacaré). On the Salvador-Lençóis route, there is a city called Feira de Santana, from where buses depart to popular tourist destinations along Bahia's southern coast and other important cities in the Northeast. You’ll find convenient connections to the south to destinations like: Valença (boats to Boipeba and Morro de SP) and Itacaré. Therefore, you don’t need to return to Salvador to continue your journey to these places.

Real Expresso employees use some aggressive sales practices (only in Salvador): they strongly encourage foreigners to buy their return ticket directly from Salvador. They wrongly claim that you can change your ticket once you’re there or that you won't be able to buy your return ticket in Lençóis. They somewhat force you into purchasing the return ticket.
However, in Lençóis, it’s easy - the bus station is just a 6-minute walk from the hostel, and the ticket counter is open several times a day, during bus arrival and departure times.
Therefore, it is not necessary to buy your return ticket in advance unless you already have a flight booked from Salvador!
It is advisable to keep some flexibility in your plans while in Chapada Diamantina: it’s an incredibly beautiful place, and most people end up wanting to stay longer!

→ Available schedules for the route from Feira de Santana to Itacaré and Valença

• From Feira de Santana to Itacaré:

5:30 AM
7:00 AM
Other options are available later in the day.

• From Feira de Santana to Valença (where boats depart for Morro de São Paulo and Boipeba):

5:30 AM. Ideal for those departing from Lençóis on the 10:45 PM bus! Arrival at 4:00 AM in Feira de Santana, so only 1.5 hours of waiting at the bus station.
7:00 AM
9:00 AM

There are other options for Valença later in the day, but it becomes more difficult to reach Boipeba or Morro de São Paulo on the same day.

The road trip between Feira de Santana and Valença takes about 4 hours.

Boats to the islands depart from Valença until 5:30 PM at the latest.

→ In the opposite direction: from Valença to Feira de Santana:

To reach Chapada Diamantina as directly as possible, you need to arrive in Feira de Santana before 2:30 PM to catch the bus from Salvador to Lençóis. This bus passes through Feira de Santana around 2:40 PM and arrives in Lençóis around 8:30 PM.
The next bus only passes at midnight, arriving in Lençóis around 6:00 AM!

8:00 AM
10:50 AM (except on holidays)
12:20 PM
1:30 PM (except on holidays)
3:10 PM
4:40 PM

 From Itacaré to Feira de Santana

There are several buses per day. The trip takes about 6 hours, so make sure to depart early! The best option is to catch a bus around 8 AM.

→ Heading North: Recife

From Feira de Santana to Recife, there is a direct bus every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday.

Operated by Real Expresso in "executivo" class (comfortable).

Departure at 1:40 PM, so you’ll need to leave Lençóis the night before to make the connection.

Banks and Payments

→ Payments for services with our company

Accommodation Payment (Hostel Chapada Backpackers)

It is preferable to pay for your accommodation with us in cash. However, card payments are accepted at the same rate as cash payments.

Payment for Excursions (Chapada Backpackers Agency)

Payments for treks and tours are accepted in cash at the normal rate (the prices we communicate are valid for cash payments only).

We charge an extra 10% fee on card payments 10% compared to cash payments.

Currency exchange is available for Euros and US Dollars only if you have no other means of payment (we prefer to avoid this, and the exchange rate is not at your advantage).

→ Banks and Cash Withdrawals in Chapada Diamantina

It is challenging to withdraw cash in Lençóis. The only ATM that works with foreign cards is Bradesco’s. It is open from 8 AM to 8 PM, but it is only restocked once a week (usually Tuesday or Wednesday) and tends to run out of cash within 24 to 48 hours afterward.

It is impossible to withdraw cash with a foreign card at Banco do Brasil.

There is no 24-hour ATM in Lençóis.

Card payments are accepted at nearly all shops and restaurants in the village.

The best option is to withdraw cash from the Bradesco bank in Palmeiras, a one-hour drive from Lençóis.

You will have the opportunity to stop there only if you book one of the following tours or treks:

Pati Valley Trek
Fumaça Waterfall Tour from Above
Fumaça Waterfall Trek from Below

We therefore recommend withdrawing a sufficient amount of cash before coming to stay in Chapada Diamantina, especially for paying your excursions.

ATMs are available at Salvador’s bus terminal, which is a safe location. The bus journey with Real Expresso to Lençóis is safe, with no risk of assault or bag theft. Still, always stay vigilant - you can never be too careful!

→ General Information on Cash Withdrawals in Brazil

Generally, the two best banks for withdrawing cash in Brazil (meaning those with reasonable rates) are SANTANDER and BRADESCO.

Some Bradesco ATMs may ask unusual questions. Sometimes, when withdrawing, they will ask if you want to withdraw at the exchange rate offered by their bank, which is quite unfavorable. Simply select NO to this question, and the conversion will be done at the day’s international market rate, which is much better for you. They may also ask if you want them to charge a commission. You’ve guessed it—it's best to select NO again...!!!

Our Hosting Partners in Bahia and Northeast of Brazil

This is a list of partner hostels we have selected over the years all around the Northeast of Brazil. We guarantee these are pleasant accommodations - clean, well-managed, and ideal for meeting people in a chilled atmosphere, just like our Chapada Backpackers Hostel in Lençóis!

Whenever possible, please prioritize direct bookings with these establishments (avoid Booking.com and similar platforms) to support the local economy. Support our network!

→ Our partners in SALVADOR

• Hostel Galeria 13 (Historic Center: Pelourinho)

Hostel Galeria 13 is ideally located in the heart of Pelourinho, on a monitored street. It’s just a 2-minute walk from the lively, historic squares in the center and a 15-minute Uber ride from the beaches.

Hostel Galeria 13 offers a pleasant and comfortable environment (with double rooms or dorms), free caipirinhas in the evening for an hour, and a hearty, fresh, and varied breakfast! There’s a small but enjoyable pool, perfect to spend the evening with friends or for a refreshing morning in the sun.

Reservations by email: hostelgaleria13@gmail.com

• Nomads Hostel (Barra Neighborhood)

Close to the beaches, the center, and the nightlife district. Convenient location, safe neighborhood, on a quiet street without traffic.

Comfortable and more affordable as breakfast is not included. Friendly staff. They offer cultural activities like capoeira in a dedicated space within the hostel. Nearby breakfast options are available, and there is a fully equipped self-service kitchen.

Contact: +55 71 8320 6390 (WhatsApp)

→ Our partner on the Island of MORRO DE SÃO PAULO

• Universo Pol Bamboo Hostel

This is an interesting ecological project, still under construction but already functional. Many cool discoveries await you in this unique hostel! Though the island is quite touristy, this hostel is perfect for exploring the amazing Atlantic coast jungle of Brazil, called Mata Atlântica. It’s about a 15-minute walk from the center to reach the beautiful bamboo huts nestled in the forest.

Joaquim, one of the owners, is Argentinian. You can contact him at: +55 75 9962 7112 (WhatsApp)

→ Our partner on the Island of BOIPEBA

• Family Guest House

This cozy guesthouse is run by a warm Franco-Brazilian family. It consists of small buildings surrounded by a lovely garden. The place offers a relaxed atmosphere, with beautiful rooms for couples and families, or a clean and well-maintained 6-bed dormitory for solo travelers. The owner also serves delicious, handmade pizzas baked in a wood-fired oven.

Breakfast is optional and not included in the room price.

They can also provide great tips for exploring the natural wonders of this little paradise on Earth.

Here is the contact number for Julien, the owner: +55 71 9 9690 0013 (WhatsApp)

→ Our Partners in ITACARÉ

• Adriana Hostel: well-located in the city center on Pituba, simple, effective, and affordable.
Contact: +55 73 9824 6481 (WhatsApp)

• Tropicalia Hostel: also well-located in the city center on Pituba, it’s a mid-range hostel in terms of price and comfort.
Contact: +55 73 9942 1636 (WhatsApp)

• Hostel Mais que Nada: conveniently located near the center and Concha beach, it’s a more comfortable and very well-organized hostel, so it’s a bit more expensive.
Contact: +55 73 9836 2089 (WhatsApp)

→ Our Partners in PIPA (Rio Grande do Norte):

• Arara Surfcamp: A very comfortable hostel with a pool and surf lessons.
Contact: +55 84 9815 0755 (WhatsApp)

• Iduna Hostel: A well-organized, comfortable hostel with a pool.
Contact: +55 84 9411 2048 (WhatsApp)

→ Our Partners in MARANHÃO:

• Hostel em Boas Mãos (Barreirinhas, in the Lençóis Maranhenses)
Contact: +55 98 9616 5716 (WhatsApp)

• La Casa Guarnicê (São Luis)
Contact: +55 98 8465 9993 (WhatsApp)

→ Our Partners in the Delta do Parnaíba (PIAUÍ):

• Raízes Eco Hostel (Barra Grande)
Contact: +55 86 9831 3494 (WhatsApp)

• Parnaíba Hostel
Contact: +55 86 9963 4896 (WhatsApp)

FAQ

(Frequently Asked Questions)

contact us

Av. Gen. Viveiros, 275
Tomba, Lençóis - BA, 46960-000

Contact

+55 75 9228 7582
+55 75 9934 1983
agenciabackpackers@gmail.com