In São Thomé das Letras, the perfect route alternates stone, water and sky — with a pinch of mystery at every stop. This is the 2-day plan the regulars recommend.
Day 1 — the town and the sky
Morning in the stone center: Gruta de São Thomé (with the rock “letters”), the parish church and cafés with crystals in the window. In the afternoon, the legends circuit — Ladeira do Amendoim (test it with the car in neutral!), Gruta do Carimbado (the one with the supposed portal — visit respectfully and do not enter closed sections) and Pedra da Bruxa. At the end of the day, the ultimate ritual: sunset at the Casa da Pirâmide, stacking your wishing stone alongside dozens of strangers in silence. Round it off with the Milky Way — the altitude and dry air make the night sky a spectacle in its own right.
Day 2 — the waters
Morning at Cachoeira Eubiose — a cold pool, quartzite walls and a reputation for being “energising” which, scientific or not, works. In the afternoon, take your pick: the drive to Véu da Noiva (the most scenic in the region, with a high fall and a generous pool) or the Vale das Borboletas for a sequence of pools between rock walls. Get back in time for the second sunset — in São Thomé nobody skips that appointment.
Route tips
- Waterfall entry fees: R$ 10-20; bring small change.
- Sneakers for the trails, a warm layer for the evening (the stone cools fast).
- Respect ritual sites and leave no “offerings” — clean nature is the best energy.
- Public holidays: get to the waterfalls before 10am.
When to do this route
Best period: April to September — fall with the waterfalls still full and winter with clear skies for the sunset at the Pirâmide. Also works in: summer, for anyone who prioritises waterfalls at maximum volume. Take care in: December to March: heavy rain ruins the dirt roads to the waterfalls and calls for extra caution in caves. Why: the route combines waterfall, cave and lookout — each season favors one of them; choose by what matters most to you. (Seasonality checked in August 2026.)
🥾 Who is it for?
Effort: easy in town, moderate at the waterfalls (short trails with rocks). Children: the whole route works from ages 5-6 — the legends are the seasoning. Seniors and reduced mobility: day 1 is highly feasible (spots reached by car + short walks); on day 2, the Eubiose is the most accessible waterfall — or swap it for a contemplative morning at the Cruzeiro, which no waterfall beats for the view.