Where to stay in Chapada Diamantina, Brazil

The Chapada Diamantina National Park is one of my favorite places to visit in Brazil, my beloved home country. It’s worth not only one, but many visits. After all, this is a huge region in the state of Bahia, covering around 40,000 square kilometers and spanning 24 municipalities.

If you’re planning a trip there, one of the first things to figure out is where to base yourself.

The main gateway towns are Lençóis, Andaraí, Mucugê, Ibicoara, Igatu, Rio de Contas, and Vale do Capão, a village in the municipality of Palmeiras officially called Caeté-Açu.

To decide where to stay in Chapada Diamantina, it’s worth checking which attractions you want to visit and how easy it is to reach them from each town.

I’ve been to the region twice and can’t wait to go back. In this guide, I’ll share accommodation tips for the two places where I stayed, which I think are the best options for a first trip and also the easiest ones if you’re not renting a car: Lençóis and Vale do Capão.

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Where to stay in Chapada Diamantina: Lençóis

If you want to see some of the region’s most beautiful attractions without too much physical effort and prefer staying somewhere with more infrastructure, Lençóis is the best place to stay in Chapada Diamantina.

Often considered the main hub of the park, Lençóis has both a bus station and a small airport. It also has a great selection of hotels and guesthouses, excellent restaurants, and plenty of tour agencies.

I went there after spending a few days in Vale do Capão, and although it doesn’t have the same mystical and cozy atmosphere as the small village, it’s still charming and very pleasant.

From Lençóis, it’s easy to visit attractions such as Poço Encantado, Poço Azul, Poço do Diabo, Cachoeira do Mosquito, Gruta da Lapa Doce, Lagoa da Pratinha, and Morro do Pai Inácio (shown in the photo below). I visited all of them in just three days through a tour package with the agency Chapada Adventure, since I wasn’t traveling by car.

I also walked to Serrano, an area where parts of the river form natural pools among the rocks, kind of like Lençóis’ version of a beach. It’s only about a 15-minute walk from downtown. From there, you can continue on to places like the Colored Sand Cave, the natural pools of Ribeirão do Meio, and Cachoeira da Primavera. You can also hire a local guide along the way if you prefer.

Another popular hike is the one to Cachoeira do Sossego, which people say is challenging but absolutely worth it. I didn’t end up doing it because I couldn’t find a group to join and was advised not to go alone.

Where to stay in Lençóis

Accommodation options in Lençóis are quite varied. You’ll find everything from upscale hotels and family-friendly stays to charming guesthouses, and budget hostels.

If comfort is your priority, Hotel Canto das Águas is definitely one of the best places to stay in Chapada Diamantina, with excellent facilities and high-end service.

For families traveling with kids, Hotel de Lençóis is a great choice, with lots of green space, a playground, and a swimming pool. The staff is said to be very friendly and responsive, doing their best to communicate with foreigners in English, and the breakfast is highly praised. I heard great things about it, and it’s currently rated at an impressive 9.6 on Booking.com.

Another lovely option is Vila Serrano, which has a more romantic and peaceful atmosphere. Previous guests rate it with 9.4, and both the common areas and breakfast options are praised by people from all over the world.

If you’re looking for charming mid-range hotels or guesthouses, it’s worth checking out Pousada Terra dos Diamantes, which has a swimming pool perfect for relaxing after a long hike, and Pousada Luar do Sertão, perfect for those who want to feel more secluded in nature.

For travelers on a tighter budget, the guesthouses (pousadas) Solar Azul and Pouso da Trilha are great options.

Solo travelers and backpackers may want to consider HI Hostel Chapada, part of Hostelling International. I visited because I became friends with some people staying there and the structure looked really good, both in the common areas and in the rooms. They also organize social events for guests, especially during São João festivities (June Parties).

Hostel-Agência Chapada Backpackers is another good choice, with even better reviews. They offer both private and shared rooms.

Where I stayed in Lençóis, Chapada Diamantina

Another good budget-friendly option is Mangamel Hostel Pousada, where I stayed twice. I originally chose it because it was one of the most affordable places to get a private room, but it seems that now they only have dormitories (mixed or female).

It’s a very simple place with a laid-back, hippie vibe, so I wouldn’t recommend it if you’re looking for polished comfort or a more traditional hotel experience. But if you don’t mind simplicity and want to save money while enjoying a nice garden and meeting interesting people, it’s a great choice.

The guesthouse is less than a 10-minute walk from the center, which makes it calm and silent at night, but it can be a little tricky to find at first. The surrounding streets are residential and quite modest, but I felt perfectly safe in the area.

Keep reading: Brazil travel tips: Insider advice from a local nomad

Where to stay in Chapada Diamantina: Vale do Capão

Located in the district of Caeté-Açu, in the municipality of Palmeiras, Vale do Capão is one of the best bases for exploring some of the most stunning parts of Chapada Diamantina National Park.

Small, cozy, and surrounded by nature, the village offers easy access to incredible hikes such as Cachoeira da Fumaça, Águas Claras, Angélica e Purificação, Rio Preto, and the famous Vale do Pati trek.

Even though Capão is tiny, it’s also a great place to slow down and relax between hikes. There you’ll find excellent restaurants with lots of vegetarian and vegan options and an incredibly welcoming atmosphere that makes many travelers stay longer than planned.

If you’re wondering where to stay in Chapada Diamantina for a more laid-back, alternative vibe surrounded by nature, Vale do Capão might be exactly what you’re looking for. Some friends of mine have lived there for a while and fell in love with the place – I totally understand why!

Where to stay in Chapada Diamantina in Vale do Capão

Villaflor Pousada

I’ll start this section with Villaflor Pousada because it’s top on my wish list. I haven’t stayed there myself (yet), but its many guest reviews are excellent. People praise its beautiful garden, large breakfast, amazing service and the swimming pool, which is perfect after a long day trekking. It’s a short walk into town, but still has a nice nature vibe.

Pousada Tatu Feliz

Pousada Tatu Feliz was my choice in Vale do Capão both times I was there, because it was one of the best value options for staying in a private room. Another thing that attracted me was the location, which is perfect. It’s right on the village’s main street, close to restaurants and little shops.

The van coming from the Palmeiras bus station stops right in front of the pousada, and the departure point is just a few meters away. It’s also especially convenient if you’re traveling without a car like I was, since it’s easy to meet people and find rides to trailheads and tours.

I also loved the service there. When I arrived at 7 a.m. after spending the night on a bus, they let me do an early check-in for free, helped me contact the local guide association to try to fit me into group hikes, and even called the van driver to ask him to wait for me when I thought I’d missed my ride back to Palmeiras. Those little things really make a difference.

The place isn’t luxurious, but I found everything comfortable.

Pousada Pé no Mato

Most of the friends I made in Capão were staying at Pousada Pé no Mato, which I almost booked myself because I had heard amazing things about the breakfast. After visiting a few times, I really liked the atmosphere and structure.

It’s a great option both for travelers with a car, since they offer free parking, and for those without one, because it’s also located near everything you’ll need in the village.

Accommodation options include shared dorms as well as double, triple, and family rooms, and chalets. Most rooms have private bathrooms, and some also include balconies and hammocks.

Pousada Zazen

Pousada Zazen first caught my attention because of its excellent guest reviews: it currently has an average of 9.7 on Booking.com. It’s also close to the center, although tucked away in a quieter area.

The property has a large garden, free parking, private bathrooms in all rooms, and some rooms with air conditioning. They also offer family-friendly room options, and I’ve heard very positive comments about both the breakfast and the hospitality.

Pousada do Capão

Another excellent option for travelers looking for accommodation in Chapada Diamantina with comfort and tranquility is Pousada do Capão.

Located slightly farther from the center, it has beautiful outdoor spaces, a bar and restaurant, air-conditioned rooms, and gorgeous mountain views. Guest reviews are consistently positive, and judging by the photos, it looks like one of those places where you barely want to leave the property.

More places to stay in Chapada Diamantina

Still deciding where to stay in Chapada Diamantina? Besides the places mentioned above, there are other cozy pousadas and guesthouses scattered around Lençóis, Vale do Capão and the surrounding area. And, of course, in all the other towns I mentioned at the beginning of this article.

Whether you’re looking for a backpacker-friendly stay, a quiet retreat in nature, or a comfortable base for hiking adventures, there are many good options to choose from.

You can compare room options throughout the national park, check availability for your trip dates and make your reservation by clicking here.

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