Curious about Chapada Diamantina in Brazil? From its creation to unmissable natural wonders, learn everything about the national park!
Chapada Diamantina, in Brazil, is an ecotourism destination that attracts adventure lovers from all over the world to explore its stunning natural beauty, including mountains, caves, waterfalls, fantastic trails, and the national park.
The first fact about the Chapada Diamantina National Park is that its importance has been well-known since its creation in 1985, when a conservation unit was established to protect the Serra do Sincorá, a mountain range located in the heart of the Bahia state.
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Do you want to know more about your next vacation spot? PlanetaEXO, an ecotourism platform specializing in Chapada Diamantina tours, has put together 10 facts about this fantastic place. Check them out below!
1. An Arizona Man in Brazil
It may seem unusual, but an American from Arizona played a key role in the creation of the Chapada Diamantina National Park. In 1977, biologist Roy Funch traveled to Brazil as part of the Peace Corps, a United States federal agency that sends Americans to work on projects in developing countries.
Reprodução: Rede Globo
He worked on the management of national parks alongside other specialists through the Brazilian Institute for Forestry Development (IBDF), now the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio). The group worked in Brasília, but one day they traveled to Bahia with the intention of trekking—an uncommon practice in Brazil at the time—in Chapada Diamantina.
Roy was enchanted by the place, but he was also impressed by the presence of mining. Although the practice was already in decline in the late 1970s, it was still strong enough to damage the ecosystem. Around the same time, he moved permanently to the Chapada region and began working as a guide. Meanwhile, he translated scientific articles, earned a living with handicrafts, trained other guides, and wrote books about the area.
Seeing Chapada’s potential to conserve natural resources and revitalize the mining community, Roy had the idea of creating a trail connecting the city of Lençóis to Vale do Capão and began campaigning for the creation of a national park. In 1979, he sent a letter to Brazilian authorities with the proposal and reactivated contacts he had made over the years with people that could help him achieve his goal.
In September 1985, the Chapada Diamantina National Park was founded. Roy Funch was the first director, holding the position for six years. Soon after, he officially became a Brazilian citizen. To this day, he lives in Lençóis, very close to the park.
2. Larger Than Some Countries
The Chapada Diamantina National Park in Brazil spans around 1,521 km² (152,000 hectares). The area is so massive it’s bigger than some small countries and administrative regions, including the Faroe Islands (1,393 km²), Hong Kong (1,114 km²), Singapore (745 km²), Malta (315 km²), and the Maldives (300 km²).
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3. The World’s Largest Black Diamond
In the 18th and 19th centuries, Chapada Diamantina was the strongest diamond mining area on Earth. In 1895, over a hundred years before mining was completely banned (1996), the world’s largest black diamond was found, weighing 3,167 carats.
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Named The Sérgio—in honor of the miner who found it, Sérgio Borges de Oliveira—the stone was sold for several thousand dollars to a British diamond merchant, who arranged for replicas and sent them to London.
The original Sérgio was broken into pieces and sold for industrial use. In 2024, the Mineralogy Museum of Paris sent a replica to Brazil.
4. Once Covered by Sea
Another fascinating fact about Chapada Diamantina National Park is that nearly 2 billion years ago, the region was covered by the Espinhaço Sea.
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Over time, the landscapes changed drastically due to climate change and the tectonic plates’ movement, which left deep cracks and depressions that currently make up its complex geology.
👉 Read more: When is the Best Time to Visit Chapada Diamantina?
5. Award-winning Trekking Destination
Vale do Pati, located within the Chapada Diamantina National Park, won the award of best trekking destination in Brazil from the Ministry of Tourism in 2010.
In addition to the length of the trek (more than 70 km), the location was also recognized for its beauty, which features waterfalls, caves, and native flora and fauna.
6. Hundreds of Waterfalls
With over 300 officially cataloged waterfalls, a refreshing dip amidst the breathtaking landscapes of Chapada is a great reward for hikers who traverse long kilometers of trekking through uneven terrain and mountains.
Photo: Lucas Ribeiro
It’s impossible to see them all in a single trip, but you can’t miss visiting the most iconic ones: Fumaça, Fumacinha, Buracão, Cachoeirão, Funil, Buracão, and Mosquito.
👉 Read more: Chapada Diamantina Waterfalls: Best Trails and Hidden Gems
7. A Paradise for Cave Explorers
The city of Iraquara, which is part of the Chapada Diamantina complex, is home to nearly one hundred caves, including some of the most famous in the region, such as the Gruta do Lapa Doce, Gruta do Pratinha, Gruta do Torrinha, and Gruta Azul.
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In other cities, it’s also worth visiting the Poço Azul (Nova Redenção), Poço Encantado (Itaetê), Gruta do Lapão (Lençóis), and Gruta da Paixão (Andaraí).
8. Home to Various Species of Animals and Plants
Brazil’s Chapada Diamantina features a high biodiversity that blends fauna and flora from the Cerrado, Caatinga, and Atlantic Forest biomes.
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When it comes to animals, the birds stand out, including crested caracaras, potoos, and the endemic hooded visorbearer. In the mammals family, it’s possible to find lesser anteaters, black-tufted marmosets, and, more rarely, pumas.
The flora is just as rich, especially regarding the variety of orchids, bromeliads, and cacti. During trekking, it’s not hard to find colorful flowers adorning the low-lying vegetation.
👉 Read more: 20 Animals in Brazil – Wildlife Facts and Where to Find Them
9. Perfect for Digital Detox
If you’re looking for total disconnection from the intensity of city life, then Chapada Diamanatina is the perfect destination for you, as cell service in the park is spotty at best and totally non-existent most of the time.
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Not only is this great for a digital detox, but it also allows you to truly immerse yourself in the experience and realize that nature is much more fulfilling than endless scrolling.
10. Tour Guides Are Your Best Friends
Tour guides are essential if you want to learn more about the history and cultural facts about the Chapada Diamantina National Park.
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These qualified professionals are also essential for your safety, as they know the region like the back of their hand and are aware of all the potential dangers that could jeopardize your trip.
When traveling to Chapada Diamantina, always follow your guide’s instructions!
Deep dive into Chapada Diamantina National Park, Brazil, with PlanetaEXO
See how fascinating Chapada is? To experience all these wonders firsthand, start planning your trip!
PlanetaEXO is an ecotourism platform specializing in Chapada Diamantina tours. From bookings to accommodations and tailor-made itineraries, we partner with the best local operators to guarantee sustainable travel and an unforgettable vacation for our clients. Contact us now!
