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The Marimbus Pantanal: The mini-Pantanal of the Chapada Diamantina

Marimbus, located in the Chapada Diamantina between Lençóis and Andaraí, is a marshy region known as the “mini Pantanal”.

Its biodiversity and ecosystem are reminiscent of the Pantanal, but with the semi-arid characteristics typical of northeastern Brazil.

Marimbus in the Chapada Diamantina

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Pantanal de Marimbus Parte 108:32

Pantanal de Marimbus Parte 205:12

Pantanal de Marimbus na Chapada Diamantina04:56

Pantanal de Marimbus - Natureza12:22

Marimbus e Rio Rocador na Chapada Diamantina02:43

The starting point for exploring Marimbus is the Quilombola Community of Remanso, about 20 kilometres from Lençóis.

Recognised as a Cultural Heritage Site by the Ministry of Culture, this community dates back to the 1920s and is home to around 300 Afro-Brazilians.

Visitors can hire canoes or rowing boats to travel down the river towards the Roncador Waterfall, where it joins the São José River.

The Marimbus ecosystem

Marimbus is a protected area, rich in fauna and flora, including water flowers similar to those of the Pantanal and the Amazon. In addition to its Caves, Waterfalls and Hills, the region offers the famous Marimbus Walk, a must for the adventurous.

The trip takes about an hour and a half of paddling to get there and another two hours to get back, braving the current.

Access route

A 40-minute drive will take you to Remanso.

After a 15-minute walk to the Santo Antônio River, visitors board a boat for a 1 hour 30 minute cruise through an area full of aquatic plants.

Then a 30 minute walk leads to the Roncador River, where it is possible to relax in natural pools.

The Marimbus Pantanal

Located at the foot of the Serra do Sincorá, the Marimbus Pantanal is a vast floodplain of interconnected lagoons fed by the Santo Antônio River. This water comes from the slopes of the mountain and covers an area from the Capão Valley to the Garapa River.

Unique ecosystem

The region is a unique ecosystem that links several tourist attractions, such as the Fumaça and Mixila Waterfalls.

Meaning of “Marimbus

The word “Marimbus” is of African origin, from a Bantu dialect spoken in Angola, and means “farmland, far from the village“. This name reflects the characteristics of the region, with its fertile soil and abundant water.

Composition of the Pantanal

The Pantanal is divided into four main areas, stretching about 30 kilometres from north to south and varying in width. The areas are Marimbus do Remanso, Marimbus do Ferreira and Marimbus do Baiano or Andaraí.

Flora and fauna

The region is home to a variety of species such as Tucunaré, Capybaras, Caymans and various birds. The community of Remanso, 45 minutes from Lençóis, is the gateway to this mini-wetland.

Navigation and experiences

Visitors can cross the river in small wooden boats or kayaks (available for hire), taking about one hour and forty minutes to the mouth of the Roncador River, where they disembark and continue on foot.

Chapada Diamantina Tourist Guide in Bahia

Written by Willy Sievert

Editor of Bahia.ws since its founding in 2009. Based in Salvador, he travels frequently across the Northeast and all of Brazil to keep the guides up to date. Learn more about Willy Sievert →

Published on 22/01/2016 · Updated on 09/06/2025

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