Discover the wonders of Chapada das Mesas

Chapada das Mesas is an environmental reserve covering 160,046 hectares of Cerrado.

The Chapada is made up of the municipalities of Imperatriz, Tasso Fragoso, Estreito, Carolina, Riachão, Balsas, Formosa da Serra Negra, Fortaleza dos Nogueiras, Itinga do Maranhão, Campestre, Alto Parnaíba and Açailândia, located in the centre-south of Maranhão.

The name Chapada das Mesas comes from its plateaus, which resemble the shape of stone tables, mainly concentrated in the towns of Carolina and Riachão.

The Waterfalls and Natural pools of crystal clear water, with mild temperatures of around 22°C and surrounded by immense rocky walls, are largely responsible for the enchantment that surrounds the place.

Popular activities for tourists

• Hiking and trekking: Adventures on trails leading to viewpoints and waterfalls, such as the famous walk to Morro do Chapéu and Morro do Portal.
• Visits to waterfalls: Discover several waterfalls, such as Pedra Caída Waterfall, Prata Waterfall and Santa Bárbara Waterfall, which offer breathtaking scenery and swimming opportunities.
• Rafting and Abseiling: Extreme sports on rivers and cliffs, such as white water rafting and abseiling down waterfalls.
• 4×4 Tours: Explore the most remote and inaccessible areas of the Chapada in 4×4 vehicles.
• Bathing in natural springs: Relax in crystal clear pools such as Poço Azul and Encanto Azul, perfect for a refreshing dip.
• Fauna and Flora Watching
• Photography: Capture the impressive rock formations, landscapes and natural beauty of the Chapada, a photographer’s paradise.
• Visits to ecological reserves: Learn about protected areas that host unique ecosystems and biodiversity, such as the Chapada das Mesas National Park.

Features of the waterfalls

The waterfalls of Chapada das Mesas have remarkable characteristics that make them an unmissable attraction:

• height and volume: Many waterfalls, such as the Pedra Caída Waterfall (46 metres high) and the Santa Bárbara Waterfall (75 metres high), are impressive for their height and the volume of water that falls.
• Crystal clear waters: Known for their crystal clear waters, they offer breathtaking views and are ideal for refreshing swims.
• Natural Formations: Surrounded by impressive rock formations and walls, they create spectacular scenery that attracts photographers and nature lovers.
• Natural pools: Some waterfalls form natural pools, such as Poço Azul and Encanto Azul, perfect for swimming and relaxing in nature.
• Various Ecosystems: The areas around the waterfalls are rich in biodiversity, with different species of plants and animals typical of the Cerrado.
• Accessibility: Many waterfalls are accessible via trails of varying degrees of difficulty.
• Scenic Beauty: Surrounded by stunning natural landscapes that make every visit an unforgettable visual experience.

These characteristics make Chapada das Mesas Waterfalls a popular destination for tourists looking for adventure, natural beauty and moments of tranquillity in the midst of nature.

Chapada das Mesas National Park

The Chapada das Mesas National Park is home to unique ecological reserves covering 160,000 hectares with countless species of flora and fauna, which can only be accessed by traction vehicles on dusty roads.

Walking and panoramic views

An easily accessible hike near Carolina is the Morro do Portal or Portal da Chapada, with a cleft in the rock that offers a panoramic view of the table-like hills and the whole region.

Starting point

The town of Carolina, in the south of Maranhão and close to the border with Tocantins, is the starting point for this adventure in amazing scenery. From the picturesque town, you’ll reach waterfalls and rock formations that look as if they were carved by hand.

Extreme activities in the park

This is the Chapada das Mesas National Park, a mix of sertão, buritizais forests, waterfalls, canyons, cerrado… explored by dirt roads and 4×4 vehicles, a perfect place for those who enjoy hiking, rafting, abseiling and other extreme activities.

Exploring the reserve

To explore the nooks and crannies of the Reserve, created in 2005, it is necessary to hire the services of Tourist Agencies – almost everything is far away and has precarious access – who will provide a car and guide to the many Fountains and Waterfalls.

Rock formations and natural attractions

On the way, the attractions are the rock formations carved by the wind and rain, which resemble tables of different sizes and shapes.

Pedra Caída Sanctuary

One of the postcards of the region is the Pedra Caída Sanctuary, a “complex” of three waterfalls, the main one plunging from a height of 46 metres. The thrill comes from walking through a 300 metre long canyon to enjoy the water and dive into the pool that forms below.

Access and other adventures

Access includes a walk along the river and suspended wooden ramps. Oh, and it’s also possible to abseil and climb the zip line!

Beauties of the Chapada

The Chapada das Mesas National Park is made up of the rock formations that make up the Chapada das Mesas, such as Morro do Chapéu, Morro, do Dedo, Morro do Gavião, Portal da Chapada, Morro do Macaco and many other beautiful landscapes.

Ecological tourism and landscapes

The Chapada das Mesas takes its name from the high hills whose surfaces have been flattened by erosion, most of them in the shape of tables, and its tourist attraction is ecological tourism with its beautiful vegetated landscapes, the beaches of the Tocantins River, waterfalls and chapadões.

Wells and waterfalls

Beauty – but with less adrenaline – is also guaranteed at Poço Azul and Encanto Azul, two fountains with crystal clear water; and at the Waterfalls of Santa Bárbara (76 metres), São Romão (22 metres high and 33 metres wide) and Prata (26 metres).

Chapada das Mesas Tourist Sites and Waterfalls

1. Pedra Caída Waterfall
2. Prata Waterfall
3. Itapecuru Waterfalls
4. Botes Island
5. Figures Hill
6. Morro do Chapéu
7. Portal da Chapada
8. Beaches of Tocantins
9. São Romão Waterfall
10. Dodó Waterfall
11. Blue Fountain
12. Blue Charm
13. Ilia Waterfall
14. Garrafa Waterfall
15. Tocantins River
16. Capelão Waterfall and Cave
17. Santa Bárbara Waterfall

1. Pedra Caída Waterfall

The attraction is located 35 kilometres from the parish of Carolina, on the BR-010 road, in the direction of Carolina/Estreito. The paved road can be accessed by small private vehicles or through the tourist agencies in Carolina.

The Pedra Caída Waterfall is one of the most impressive waterfalls in the Chapada das Mesas complex. It all starts in a river which, at a certain point, hits a crevice. At this point, the water falls from a height of about 50 metres and forms a natural pool between rocky walls.

2. Prata Waterfall

The Prata Waterfall is located on the Farinha River, in a region that is still little explored, wild you might say.

The people who live nearby are typical sertanejos and take care of the place where they live. It is close to the São Romão waterfall.

3. Itapecuru Waterfalls

Located next to the BR-230 motorway, 33 km from Carolina, 66 km from Riachão and 130 km from Balsas.

Here you will find two beautiful waterfalls that drop 12 metres and form a huge natural pool with surrounding rocks, beaches and small islands. The resort has a bar service, restaurant and chalets.

4. Ilha dos Botes

Ilha dos Botes, bathed by the waters of the Tocantins River, preserves an exuberant jungle of native babassu and coconut trees, and during the summer season still has the most beautiful beaches with clear waters, bordered by small dunes along its seven-kilometre-long length.

5. Hill of figures

Near the Prata waterfall, 40 km from Carolina, there is a rock formation with several rock inscriptions recently discovered by archaeologists, who believe they were made by the Caro Indians, descendants of the Tupi Guarani.

6. Hat Hill

With a height of 378 metres, it takes its name from its shape. Morro do Chapéu is one of the most beautiful postcards of the Chapada das Mesas region.

From the top of its formation, you can see the entire region, including Ilha dos Botes, the Tocantins River, the town of Carolina and the other plateau formations that make up the Chapada das Mesas landscape.

It can also be seen from the road between Estreito, Carolina and Riachão.

7. Chapada Portal

The hill on the road to the Pedra Caída waterfalls offers an impressive view of Chapada das Mesas.

An interesting fact is that on one of the walls of the hill there is a crater in the shape of the map of the State of Tocantins.

8. Beaches of Tocantins

The beaches of Tocantins are well known to all who pass through the southern region of Maranhão.

Although better known as the beaches of Carolina, they appear on the Tocantins side of the state, in the city of Philadelphia.

The beaches appear when the river recedes, from June, and don’t disappear until the end of October. The town has a bar and restaurant service.

9. São Romão Waterfall

The São Romão Waterfall is a beautiful waterfall located on the Farinha River, a tributary of the Tocantins River, 70 kilometres from Carolina.

Access to this waterfall is mostly by dirt road and requires a towing vehicle, such as a pick-up truck or jeep, which makes the trip an even more exciting adventure. The site has a bar, restaurant and chalets.

10. Dodó Waterfall

Located on private land 34 kilometres from the city of Carolina, you’ll discover the warm waters of Cachoeira do Dodó and the countless small waterfalls that make up an almost unspoilt place.

There is a bar, restaurant and even tents for overnight stays.

11. Blue Fountain

Located on the Cocal River, in the municipality of Riachão, 130 km from Carolina, this is the most paradisiacal place in Chapada das Mesas, with crystal-clear water in a natural pool more than 5 metres deep that enchants everyone.

12. Encanto Azul

Located on the Cocal River in the municipality of Riachão. You can’t help but be enchanted by this natural beauty, with its crystal clear water and perfect temperature for swimming and enjoying the fish. Don’t forget your snorkelling gear.

13. Ilia Waterfall

The waterfall is 20 kilometres from Carolina, on a dirt road. Access is via the road that passes near Morro do Chapéu. It is recommended to go by motorbike or pick-up trucks and jeeps. Its beauty lies in the waterfall that cascades down the wall and the clean water of the river.

14. Garrafa Waterfall

A small waterfall with crystal clear water, ideal for swimming. The water has a pleasant temperature, ideal for the heat of the region.

It is located 24 kilometres from the city, following the same road to Ilia Waterfall. It can be reached by motorbike or 4×4, as the terrain is a little hilly and in places sandy.

15. Tocantins River

One of the most important rivers in Brazil, it divides the states of Maranhão and Tocantins, offering commercial fishing and landscapes of rare beauty, especially the sunsets seen from Carolina. On the Tocantins River, the main attractions are the beaches, which appear from June to August, and Ilha dos Botes.

16. Capelão Waterfall and Cave

This attraction features a small cave and a lake formed by the force of the Capelão Water cascade in the friable sandstone.

17. Santa Bárbara Waterfall

The Santa Bárbara Waterfall, a 75 metre drop, is located in the municipality of Riachão, 130 km from Carolina. It is next to Poço Azul and can be reached by a 5-minute walk.

Tourist guide to Chapada das Mesas in the south of Maranhão

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