Palmas is Brazil’s youngest capital — and just 30 km from downtown it hides a highland district that feels like another state: Taquaruçu, surrounded by valleys where dozens of waterfalls come crashing down. For the ecotourist passing through Tocantins (on the way to Jalapão, for instance), it is the perfect stopover; for Palmas locals, the green backyard of every weekend.
Getting there
Leaving Palmas, the TO-030 road reaches Taquaruçu in about 30-40 minutes by car. The little town center has guesthouses and regional-food restaurants, but the attractions are scattered along rural dirt roads — a car (or a guided tour) is practically mandatory.
The waterfalls
- Roncadeira — the queen: a 70-meter free fall into a stone amphitheatre, with a 1.5 km trail (moderate effort) and rappelling for the brave.
- Escorrega Macaco — Roncadeira’s neighbor, ~50 meters, admired from a viewpoint.
- Cachoeira do Evilson — the highest-volume fall, 25 meters with a huge swimming pool below; reached by 11 km of dirt road.
- Cachoeira de Taquaruçu — the most democratic: a 200-meter trail off the TO-030 (easy, great for families).
- Bela Vista — small (5 m), but with a grotto and a setting many rank as the district’s most beautiful.
Adrenaline in the hills
Taquaruçu has become the adventure hub of Tocantins: rappelling at Roncadeira and the Voo do Pontal zipline, stretching 1,300 meters over the valley — one of the longest in the country. We explain how it works in our article on Taquaruçu’s vertical adventures.
When to go and what it costs
From May to September (dry season), firm trails and clear pools; in the rains the falls double in volume, but some access roads close. Entry to the private attractions costs R$ 10 to R$ 30, and local guides charge R$ 100-150 per group. Try the local food — the district is famous for its wood-stove restaurants and its yearly gastronomy festival.
🥾 Who is it for?
Effort: easy at Cachoeira de Taquaruçu and the viewpoints; moderate on the Roncadeira and Evilson trails. Children: yes — Cachoeira de Taquaruçu and the shallow pools suit any age; Roncadeira from ages 8-10. Seniors and reduced mobility: Cachoeira de Taquaruçu, with its short flat trail, is the right pick; the others have uneven trails. Build your day mixing one easy waterfall, one longer trail and a wood-stove lunch.