Between the cerrado and the Amazon, in southern Maranhão, red-sandstone table mountains guard some of Brazil’s most powerful waterfalls and bluest waters — with a fraction of the visitors of the famous chapadas. Chapada das Mesas is still the family’s best-kept secret: this guide shows you how to explore it from Carolina, on the banks of the Tocantins river.
Getting there
Fly to Imperatriz (MA) and drive 130 km to Carolina (Araguaína-TO, 118 km away, is an alternative). The base town has good, affordable guesthouses (R$ 120-300) and agencies for the 4×4 tours — mandatory for the National Park attractions, where 50+ km of sandy roads swallow regular cars.
What to do (and what it costs)
| Attraction | 2026 reference | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Pedra Caída Complex | R$ 90 (entry) + internal attractions | The private “park”: the Santuário waterfall in a narrow canyon, cable car, ziplines |
| São Romão and Prata waterfalls (4×4) | R$ 40 each + 4×4 tour | The giants of the National Park — spine-chilling volume in the wet season |
| Encanto Azul (Riachão) | R$ 40 | A natural pool of unreal blue set in a rock crevice |
| Poço Azul + Santa Bárbara complex | R$ 90 | A crystal-clear pool + a 75 m waterfall on the same day |
| Morro do Chapéu / portals and viewpoints | free-R$ 20 | The table mountains at sunset — the chapada’s signature |
When to go
May to September: clear waters, firm roads and dry heat. In the rainy season (Oct-Apr) the waterfalls double in power — São Romão becomes a monster — but the pools lose their blue and logistics suffer. The perfect balance: June-July.
What the trip costs
Four days covering the three blocks (Pedra Caída, the 4×4 park circuit and Riachão) cost R$ 1,400 – R$ 2,500 per person without flights — shared 4×4 tours run in the R$ 150-250/day range. Ambitious route tip: combine it with the Lençóis Maranhenses in a 10-day Maranhão overland combo that very few travelers have ever done — dunes + chapada in the same state.
🥾 Who is it for?
Effort: moderate — short trails, but with rocks and climbs; 4×4 transfers between attractions. Children: from 6-8 years old; Poço Azul is the gateway outing. Seniors and reduced mobility: several pools can be reached a short walk from the car; the Santa Bárbara waterfall requires stairs — ask about the flat alternatives.