Chapada Diamantina is one of Brazil’s most striking natural sanctuaries, home to canyons, caves, valleys and waterfalls within a protected national park. 

With nearly 300 kilometres of trails, visitors can explore landscapes that shift from rugged highlands to lush Atlantic Forest, including highlights such as the 390‑metre Fumaça Waterfall, the plains of Marimbus and vast cave systems like Lapa Doce. 

Quilombola communities and historic sites add cultural depth to a region ideal for trekking, climbing, canoeing and immersive nature experiences.

Good for: Active travellers seeking hiking, waterfalls, canoeing and varied landscapes.

Chapada Diamantina (Bahia)

Nature & Adventure

Cambará do Sul is the gateway to Brazil’s most dramatic canyon landscapes, including the monumental Itaimbezinho and Fortaleza canyons, framed by araucaria forests and highland fields. 

Located within the UNESCO Global Geopark Caminhos dos Cânions do Sul, the region offers accessible and challenging trails, horseback riding, waterfall excursions and stargazing experiences under some of South America’s clearest night skies. 

Local hospitality and traditional mountain cuisine add an inviting cultural touch to this nature‑rich setting.

Good for: Travellers who enjoy canyon landscapes, hiking, cool‑climate nature and scenic outdoor routes.

Cambará do Sul (Rio Grande do Sul)

Jalapão is a wild and dramatic region of the Cerrado, known for golden dunes, clear rivers, deep canyons and natural springs.

Visitors can float in the region’s famous "fervedouros", where underwater pressure creates the sensation of weightless levitation, or swim beneath emerald‑green waterfalls like Formiga. 

Adventure options include canoeing, abseiling, birdwatching and exploring monumental rock formations. Local quilombola communities add cultural richness through crafts and community‑based tourism.

Good for: Adventure seekers interested in unique ecosystems, natural springs and off‑the‑beaten‑path exploration.

Jalapão (Tocantins)

The Pantanal is the world’s largest floodplain and one of its most biodiverse environments, recognised by UNESCO as a Natural World Heritage Site. 

Its open wetlands make wildlife encounters exceptionally frequent, with opportunities to spot jaguars, capybaras, caimans, macaws, tapirs and other species across vast floodplains.

Experiences include boat safaris, horseback riding, photo safaris, walking trails and visits to the Serra do Amolar, where mountains meet wetlands in one of the biome’s most striking regions.

Good for: Wildlife enthusiasts seeking high‑probability animal viewing and immersive safaris.

Pantanal (Mato Grosso & Mato Grosso do Sul)

Jericoacoara blends adventure with scenic beauty, where dunes, lagoons and wide beaches create a natural playground for active travellers. 

Soft‑adventure options include dune hikes, lagoon swims, buggy tours and sunset viewpoints across the vast dune fields that surround the village. 

Lagoa do Paraíso and Lagoa Azul offer calm waters ideal for relaxing swims, while the coastline provides reliable conditions for wind‑powered sports.

Good for: Travellers who enjoy dune landscapes, lagoons and laid‑back active exploration.

Jericoacoara (Ceará)

Just north of Fortaleza, Cumbuco is one of Brazil’s most consistent wind‑sport destinations, attracting kitesurfers from around the world. 

Its standout adventure is the Cumbuco to Ilha do Guajiru downwind route, a multi‑day, 160‑kilometre journey supported by instructors and 4×4 assistance. Riders experience mirrored lagoons, wave sections and long, empty beaches, with overnight stays in small inns along the coast. 

For shorter, accessible outings, nearby dunes, lagoons and coastal stretches offer easier wind‑sport and buggy‑ride opportunities.

Good for: Experienced kitesurfers and travellers seeking coast‑based adventure with reliable wind.

Cumbuco (Ceará)