How to Get to Chapada Diamantina National Park?

See how to get to Chapada Diamantina from Salvador, Rio de Janeiro, and São Paulo

Chapada Diamantina National Park is located in the northeastern part of Brazil, within the state of Bahia. The most common and convenient way to access the park is via Salvador, situated approximately 420 km away.

Salvador International Airport (SSA) provides extensive direct flights from various Brazilian cities, as well as international destinations. However, the closest airport is Lençóis Coronel Horácio de Matos Airport (LEC), 22 km away from the national park—though flight options are fairly limited.

To help with your vacation planning, PlanetaEXO, an adventure travel platform specializing in Chapada Diamantina tours, has put together several transportation options. Check them out below!

From Salvador to Chapada Diamantina

Please notice: Flight and bus schedules may change unexpectedly at the discretion of their operators. Please check the official channels for details on each transportation option.

By plane

Salvador Airport (SSA) is served by major Brazilian cities, including São Paulo (GRU, VCP, and CGH), Rio de Janeiro, Recife (REC), Belo Horizonte (CNF), and Brasília (BSB). International tourists can fly straight to Salvador from Buenos Aires (EZE/AEP), Panama City (PTY), Lisbon (LIS), Madrid (MAD), and Paris (CDG).

Another option is flying to Lençóis Airport (LEC). Azul Airlines offers flights only twice a week, on Thursdays and Sundays, departing from Salvador at 2:30 PM and returning from Lençóis at 04:10 PM.

By bus

Despite the option to get to Chapada Diamantina via Lençóis Airport, most people take a bus from Salvador. There are three daily departures at 8 AM, 1 AM, and 11 PM from Salvador Bus Station (Terminal Rodoviário de Salvador). The buses make stops in Feira de Santana and Itaberaba.

Known for their cleanliness and comfort, these buses are equipped with air conditioning and toilets. The trip takes about 6 hours, with ticket prices starting at R$100. Buy your tickets at Expresso Guanabara (for those with a CPF number) or BusBud (for foreigners). For the return journey to Salvador, buses depart from Lençóis at 9 AM, 1:45 PM, and 22:50 PM.

By car

The typical route uses BR-324 and BR-242 highways, covering 420 km in about 6 hours. Car rentals are available at Salvador Airport.

By private transfer

For added comfort and flexibility, private transfers are available. See the prices below:

• Car (4 seats): R$ 2.000
• Van (15 seats): R$ 3.000

If you are booking your Chapada Diamantina tour with PlanetaEXO, our team can assist you in booking private transfers to the locations. Send us a message!

How to get to Chapada Diamantina from Rio or São Paulo?

From Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo—two of Brazil’s largest cities—you can reach Chapada Diamantina, in Bahia, by flying to Salvador or taking a long-distance bus trip to Feira de Santana.

By plane

From Rio’s Galeão (GIG) or São Paulo’s Congonhas (CGH), Viracopos (VCP), or Guarulhos (GRU), you can get to Salvador in over 2 hours. This option offers a quicker and more direct way to start your adventure in the national park.

From Salvador, fly to Lençóis Airport on Thursdays and Sundays, take the bus to Lençóis at the Salvador Bus Station, or hire a private shuttle service (arranged by PlanetaEXO).

By bus

This bus trip from Rio de Janeiro or São Paulo to Feira de Santana can exceed 30 hours, but it’s more budget-friendly, with fares starting at R$ 450. Get your tickets at Busbud.

Once you arrive, continue your journey to Lençóis, taking the same bus as described above from Salvador.

👉 Read more: When Is The Best Time To Visit Chapada Diamantina?

How to get to other small towns in Chapada Diamantina?

Other than Lençóis, Chapada Diamantina is surrounded by several small towns that can serve as gateways to the national park.

Palmeiras

Palmeiras is a small town that you have to pass through to get to Guiné and Vale do Capão. From Salvador, you can take the same Expresso Guanabara bus as you would to Lençóis, but you should continue one stop further. This journey lasts almost 8 hours.

Alternatively, you can drive 450 km, which typically takes about 6.5 hours. From Lençóis, a bus ride to Palmeiras takes about an hour, covering approximately 53 km.

Vale do Capão

Located in the Palmeiras municipality, this peaceful village is a hotspot for hikers. From Salvador, take a bus to Palmeiras and then a 40-minute shared van ride to Vale do Capão, which is about 72 km from Lençóis. Taxis are also available.

Guiné

Known for being the starting point for the Vale do Pati trek, Guiné is only accessible by car or private shuttle services, as public transport is not available. The distance from Lençóis to Guiné is approximately 85km, typically involving some driving on rough and unpaved roads.

Ibicoara

Home to the Cachoeira do Buracão and Fumacinha waterfalls, Ibicoara can be accessed from Salvador by a 9-hour bus ride on Fridays or by a 7-hour drive (459 km).

The nearest airport is Vitória da Conquista (VDC), with car rentals available for the 219 km journey to Ibicoara, located 225 km away from Lençois.

Mucugê

Buses from Salvador to Mucugê depart daily at 7 AM and 7 PM.  The journey takes up to 8.5 hours, depending on the itinerary.

Driving from Salvador covers 450 km in approximately 6.5 hours. The nearest major airport is Vitória da Conquista (VDC), offering rental car services for the 260 km drive. Mucugê is approximately 147 km away from Lençóis.

Exploring Chapada Diamantina National Park with PlanetaEXO

Now that you know how to get to Chapada Diamantina, it’s time to plan your vacation with us!

At PlanetaEXO, an ecotourism platform specializing in Chapada Diamantina tours, we help you find the best transportation options to the national park, as well as provide accommodation, tailor-made itineraries, and everything else you need for an incredible trip. Contact us now!