The Chapada dos Veadeiros is one of our personal favorites in Brazil! Full of waterfalls, one more beautiful than the other, surrounded by the stunning Brazilian savannah and the hills of the Chapada. It also offers beautiful sunsets and lots of option for hiking. The area has a mystical atmosphere, with local legends of alien sightings and a unique energy to the place.
The best time to go is from May to September during the dry season. There is less chance of rain and you will have beautiful sunsets. Also the roads will be easier to drive. In the rainy season the vegetation will be greener and more beautiful but the rain can make the water less crystal clear and difficult the access.
You can take a flight to Brasilia and from there it is a 3.5 hours drive.
We recommend 5 to 9 days to explore the area. There are really a lot of waterfalls to visit and hikes to do, so that's why we recommend at least 5 days. If you want to explore all best hikes and waterfalls you can even stay 9 or more days.
The two main places to stay are Alto Paraíso and São Jorge. Alto Paraíso is a larger town with more amenities, restaurants, and accommodation options, making it the default choice for most visitors. São Jorge is a smaller, more rustic village with a charming atmosphere and closer proximity to the National Park entrance. Depending on your preferences, you can stay in one location for your entire visit or split your time between both to experience their unique characters and have different attractions nearby. If you don't like switching accommodations, either makes a good base - we slightly favor Alto Paraíso, but both are excellent choices. For those planning to explore northern attractions like Santa Barbara waterfall, Cavalcante is another option. If you're only visiting Santa Barbara for a day, it's manageable to drive from Alto Paraíso, but for more extensive northern exploration, spending one or two nights in Cavalcante is recommended. For first-time visitors, we generally suggest focusing on Alto Paraíso and São Jorge.
You will need a car to get around. We recommend getting a SUV since there will be a lot of bad dirt roads.