5 Best Sights in Parque Nacional Chapada Diamantina, Salvador and the Bahia Coast

One of the most popular hikes in the national park leads to the country's tallest waterfall, 1,312-foot Cachoeira da Fumaça (Smoke Waterfall). Most of the falling water evaporates before reaching the ground, hence the odd name. A 6-kilometer (3-mile) path from the village of Caeté-Açú takes you to the canyon's rim, where you can marvel at the smoke rising from above. Visiting the waterfall from Lençóis takes the best part of the day and should be done with a guide.

Established in 1985, the 1,520-square-km (593-square-mile) national park is one of the most scenic places in Brazil. Here you can find crystal clear creeks, rivers with abundant rapids and waterfalls, and more than 70 grottos and caverns. There are also the tall peaks of the Sincorá Range; the highest point is Barbados Peak (2,080 meters/7,000 feet). The flora and fauna of the area, which include many varieties of cactus, orchids, and bromeliads, and more than 200 bird species, have been the subject of two extensive studies by the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew in England. The best time to visit the park is in the dry season, from March to October, but expect high temperatures during the day (rarely above 36°C/100°F). From May to July, temperatures might drop to near 10°C (45°F). The park does not have a visitor center, but there's a small ranger headquarters in the town of Palmeiras.

One of the country's most scenic treks, this onetime pilgrim trail of the Tupi Indians takes you between towering sierras, through caves, and past waterfalls. The 70-km (43-mile) trail starts in Bomba, climbs to Candombá Hills, follows a plateau at Gerais de Vieira, then goes alongside the steep Rio Paty toward Andaraí. Along the way, you can either camp or sleep in simple, clean wood huts provided by locals. Although the trek itself is not challenging, it does cover a considerable distance spread over four days and requires a general level of fitness and good walking shoes. A six-day trek is also available.