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Brazil🇧🇷 | national parksSerra da Capivara National ParkRock paintings, guided shelters, painted canyons, caatinga archaeology | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Serra da Capivara
🌟 Highlightnational park ranked #9
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 19, 2026

Serra da Capivara is a rock-art park, and its real draw is more than 1,000 painted sites, some of the oldest evidence of people in the Americas. It sits in the semi-arid caatinga of Piauí, in the northeast of Brazil. Trails are well marked, canyons and cliffs are sharp, and crowds are almost nonexistent, but you cannot enter without a certified local guide, so skip any plan to wander alone. Rangers insist on this because paintings sit on unmarked, fragile walls. I still hear the dry crunch of seed pods under my boots and the rattle of wind in thorny scrub. Roads are long and public transport is thin. Archaeology and quiet hikers will love it; anyone wanting beaches, nightlife or waterfalls will not.

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #9 national park in BrazilThe unique appeal for travelers

Serra da Capivara National Park suits backpackers who like their history raw and their trails empty. The big pull is the rock art: Toca do Boqueirão da Pedra Furada holds paintings of hunts, dances and animals, and excavations here have produced dates that challenged the standard theory of when people reached the Americas. Nothing else in Brazil lets you stand beneath that much prehistory with so few other people. The second reason is the landscape itself. Sandstone cliffs, dry canyons and flat-topped plateaus make for varied walking, and the long park loop road links sites at your own pace within a guided visit. Guides come from the nearby communities, so your money stays local, and they will point out cacti, birds and tracks you would walk past. Because every visit requires a certified guide, … read more 👉
Serra da Capivara National Park suits backpackers who like their history raw and their trails empty. The big pull is the rock art: Toca do Boqueirão da Pedra Furada holds paintings of hunts, dances and animals, and excavations here have produced dates that challenged the standard theory of when people reached the Americas. Nothing else in Brazil lets you stand beneath that much prehistory with so few other people. The second reason is the landscape itself. Sandstone cliffs, dry canyons and flat-topped plateaus make for varied walking, and the long park loop road links sites at your own pace within a guided visit. Guides come from the nearby communities, so your money stays local, and they will point out cacti, birds and tracks you would walk past. Because every visit requires a certified guide, the park works best for self-organized travelers who book a guide at the town visitor center, not for those wanting a free-roaming trek.

💡 HighlightsPlaces and moments you shouldn't skip

  1. Toca do Boqueirão da Pedra Furada: the park’s best-known site, a long cliff-base shelter with hundreds of paintings and an excavation famous for very old human traces. A raised walkway keeps you off the fragile ground.
  2. Baixão da Pedra Furada: a canyon walk with a tall natural rock arch, the formation that gave the area its name, plus a seasonal waterfall after rain.
  3. Toca do Sítio do Meio: another major excavation shelter with paintings and dated remains, quieter than the main site.
  4. Pedra Furada Lookout: a rim viewpoint over the plateau and canyon edges, good for understanding how the escarpment shapes the park.
  5. Circuito Sítio do Meio and Desfiladeiro da Capivara: a loop with painted shelters set in a narrow canyon, with cacti and bromeliads along the route.
  6. Museu do Homem Americano: in São Raimundo
… read more 👉
  1. Toca do Boqueirão da Pedra Furada: the park’s best-known site, a long cliff-base shelter with hundreds of paintings and an excavation famous for very old human traces. A raised walkway keeps you off the fragile ground.
  2. Baixão da Pedra Furada: a canyon walk with a tall natural rock arch, the formation that gave the area its name, plus a seasonal waterfall after rain.
  3. Toca do Sítio do Meio: another major excavation shelter with paintings and dated remains, quieter than the main site.
  4. Pedra Furada Lookout: a rim viewpoint over the plateau and canyon edges, good for understanding how the escarpment shapes the park.
  5. Circuito Sítio do Meio and Desfiladeiro da Capivara: a loop with painted shelters set in a narrow canyon, with cacti and bromeliads along the route.
  6. Museu do Homem Americano: in São Raimundo Nonato, this museum lays out the archaeology, fossils and research behind the park, and it makes the paintings far easier to read.
For a first visit, start with Toca do Boqueirão da Pedra Furada, since it combines the best-known paintings, the excavation story and an easy walk.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

🌤️ When to go?Choosing the right time of year

  • Dry Season (May to September): Almost no rain, days of 28 to 33°C (82 to 91°F) and cool nights near 18 to 20°C (64 to 68°F). Daylight runs roughly 11.5 to 12.5 hours, enough for a full loop by bike or guide. This is the most comfortable window for walking.
  • Hot Transition (October to December): Temperatures climb to 35 to 40°C (95 to 104°F) in the caatinga scrub. Trails are empty and guides are easy to book, but start at dawn and finish by noon.
  • Wet Season (January to April): Short, heavy storms, 30 to 34°C (86 to 93°F), and greener vegetation. Waterfalls at the cliff edges flow only now, and some dirt tracks turn slick.
  • Crowds and Prices: July and Brazilian school holidays bring the most visitors, and guesthouses in São Raimundo Nonato raise rates by about 10 to 25 percent.
Book a guide a few … read more 👉
  • Dry Season (May to September): Almost no rain, days of 28 to 33°C (82 to 91°F) and cool nights near 18 to 20°C (64 to 68°F). Daylight runs roughly 11.5 to 12.5 hours, enough for a full loop by bike or guide. This is the most comfortable window for walking.
  • Hot Transition (October to December): Temperatures climb to 35 to 40°C (95 to 104°F) in the caatinga scrub. Trails are empty and guides are easy to book, but start at dawn and finish by noon.
  • Wet Season (January to April): Short, heavy storms, 30 to 34°C (86 to 93°F), and greener vegetation. Waterfalls at the cliff edges flow only now, and some dirt tracks turn slick.
  • Crowds and Prices: July and Brazilian school holidays bring the most visitors, and guesthouses in São Raimundo Nonato raise rates by about 10 to 25 percent.
Book a guide a few days ahead in July, and aim for June or August for dry weather with fewer people.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: below average for travelingFEBFebruary: below average for travelingMARMarch: below average for travelingAPRApril: fair for travelingMAYMay: excellent for travelingJUNJune: excellent for travelingJULJuly: highly recommended for travelingAUGAugust: highly recommended for travelingSEPSeptember: excellent for travelingOCTOctober: fair for travelingNOVNovember: below average for travelingDECDecember: below average for traveling
brazil-national-park-serra-da-capivara-national-park
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🛏️ Where to stay?Choosing the right base

São Raimundo Nonato, about 35 km from the main park gate, is the practical base for backpackers on a budget. It has the cheapest beds, supermarkets, banks and the bus station, and it is where most guides and taxis operate. Expect simple pousadas with air conditioning or fans, many with breakfast.
The better choice for early starts is Coronel José Dias, a small village right at the park boundary. Its pousadas and family guesthouses put you minutes from the Boqueirão da Pedra Furada trail and the main rock art circuits, and several rent bicycles.
There is no hotel inside the park, and camping is not … read more 👉
São Raimundo Nonato, about 35 km from the main park gate, is the practical base for backpackers on a budget. It has the cheapest beds, supermarkets, banks and the bus station, and it is where most guides and taxis operate. Expect simple pousadas with air conditioning or fans, many with breakfast.
The better choice for early starts is Coronel José Dias, a small village right at the park boundary. Its pousadas and family guesthouses put you minutes from the Boqueirão da Pedra Furada trail and the main rock art circuits, and several rent bicycles.
There is no hotel inside the park, and camping is not the usual way to stay, so plan on sleeping in one of these two settlements. A few pricier hotels near the park entrance have pools, which feel very good after a 35°C afternoon. Book ahead in July and during school holidays, since the small guesthouses fill quickly.
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Best quality hotels in Brazil

👛 Costs (as of 19 October 2026)Travel costs and budget guide for Serra da Capivara

Serra da Capivara National Park costs a backpacker roughly US$43 to 111 a day, including the mandatory guide. The table below breaks it down, with prices in US dollars, though you pay in reais.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Entrance feeUS$3 to 6Paid at the visitor center near the gate, usually valid for the day. Cash and cards are generally accepted.
Guide (mandatory)US$15 to 30 per dayLocal guides are required on all trails. Cost per group is split, so joining others cuts your share a lot.
Accommodation (high season)US$12 to 35Hostels and simple pousadas in São Raimundo Nonato or Coronel José Dias, from dorm beds to private rooms with air conditioning. Prices dip a little in the wet months.
Local transportUS$5 to 25Park trails are far apart, so you need a car or a motorbike. A shared car hire
… read more 👉
Serra da Capivara National Park costs a backpacker roughly US$43 to 111 a day, including the mandatory guide. The table below breaks it down, with prices in US dollars, though you pay in reais.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Entrance feeUS$3 to 6Paid at the visitor center near the gate, usually valid for the day. Cash and cards are generally accepted.
Guide (mandatory)US$15 to 30 per dayLocal guides are required on all trails. Cost per group is split, so joining others cuts your share a lot.
Accommodation (high season)US$12 to 35Hostels and simple pousadas in São Raimundo Nonato or Coronel José Dias, from dorm beds to private rooms with air conditioning. Prices dip a little in the wet months.
Local transportUS$5 to 25Park trails are far apart, so you need a car or a motorbike. A shared car hire or a driver is the common option. Buses from the town to the park gate are rare.
Food and suppliesUS$8 to 15Set-plate lunches (prato feito) in town cost US$3 to 6. Bring water and snacks, since few services exist inside the park.
Total Daily BudgetUS$43 to 111A realistic mid-range figure is about US$60 when sharing a guide and a car.


source: gov.br
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🥾 TrailsPlan your hike in Serra da Capivara: routes, terrain, and sights

Serra da Capivara National Park is walked with a guide on circuits that run from short strolls to long canyon days, and the terrain is rocky, dry and mostly open to the sun.
  • Circuito Pedra Furada: roughly 3 to 4 hours with stops, easy to moderate, with a raised walkway, painted shelter walls, the rock arch and canyon views.
  • Circuito Desfiladeiro da Capivara: about 3 hours, moderate, with a narrow canyon, steps and rocky ground.
  • Longer canyon routes: half a day or more, moderate to hard, with steeper sections and more climbing.
  • Wildlife: expect lizards, rock cavies (mocós), many birds and sometimes
… read more 👉
Serra da Capivara National Park is walked with a guide on circuits that run from short strolls to long canyon days, and the terrain is rocky, dry and mostly open to the sun.
  • Circuito Pedra Furada: roughly 3 to 4 hours with stops, easy to moderate, with a raised walkway, painted shelter walls, the rock arch and canyon views.
  • Circuito Desfiladeiro da Capivara: about 3 hours, moderate, with a narrow canyon, steps and rocky ground.
  • Longer canyon routes: half a day or more, moderate to hard, with steeper sections and more climbing.
  • Wildlife: expect lizards, rock cavies (mocós), many birds and sometimes tracks of larger mammals. Capybaras are rare.
The park is reached through the town of São Raimundo Nonato, and public transport there is limited, so most travelers hire a car, a guide with a vehicle or a taxi. Crowds are light almost all year. An entrance fee applies, and the guide is charged separately, both arranged at the visitor center or at the park gate. Carry plenty of water and start early, because shade is scarce.
⚠️ Hiking info can sometimes be outdated or inaccurate. Before you hit the trail, check the latest conditions with locals. If you do spot anything that's off, I'd love to hear from you, so I can update it for fellow travelers.

🛡️ SafetySafety Tips and Common Scams in Serra da Capivara

Serra da Capivara is a well-managed, straightforward park, and the main hazard is heat. Temperatures often pass 35°C (95°F) in the caatinga with little shade, so start at first light, carry at least 3 liters of water per person and wear a hat. Most circuits follow marked sandy or rocky tracks, and the park requires you to go with a certified local guide, which handles navigation. Rock shelves and the short climbs to cliff viewpoints can be slippery after rain, so wear closed shoes with grip. Wildlife is modest: you may see rock cavies (mocós), marmosets and lizards, and rattlesnakes and scorpions stay out of the way if you keep to the paths and avoid reaching into crevices. Never touch the painted walls. Oils from skin damage the pigments.
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FAQTraveler FAQ

Plan on 2 to 3 days for Serra da Capivara National Park. That covers the Boqueirão da Pedra Furada circuit, a second rock art loop such as Desfiladeiro da Capivara, and a viewpoint at sunset, with a third day for the Museum of the American Man in São Raimundo Nonato. Hikers who want more circuits can fill 4 days.
Yes, though it takes planning for Serra da Capivara National Park. Buses reach São Raimundo Nonato from Petrolina and Teresina, and from there taxis, shared rides or local guides cover the roughly 35 km to the park. Bicycles can be rented near Coronel José Dias, and guided tours can include transport.
Yes. Serra da Capivara National Park charges a daily entrance fee of roughly US$3 to 5 per person, paid in reais, with reductions for students and residents. A certified local guide is required for the circuits, costing about US$10 to 15 per person when split in a group. No separate permit is needed beyond arranging the guide at the visitor center.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Brazilian national parks near Serra da Capivara

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We 💚 feedbackIs it worth it?

Serra da Capivara National Park hides its best detail in the museum in São Raimundo Nonato, where the fossil and excavation displays turn the paintings from pretty into meaningful. Visit it before you enter the park. Then pick the early start with your guide and bring more water than seems sensible.

✈️ When did I visit Brazil?
Call it good timing or luck, but I was able to celebrate Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro in February 2022, after a round trip in the north and east coast.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Brazil, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

This site is built on a combination of firsthand travel experience and carefully curated insights from other backpackers. Many guides are based on places I’ve personally visited, while others bring together tips, observations, and practical advice shared by trusted travelers I’ve met along the way.

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