Some people visit Taquaruçu for the waterfalls — and some go to descend them on a rope. Palmas’ highland district has become the vertical-sports capital of Tocantins with two experiences unmatched in the state: the Roncadeira rappel and the Voo do Pontal zipline.
The Roncadeira rappel: 70 meters of wet wall
The descent runs beside the 70-meter (230-foot) drop of the Roncadeira waterfall, with spray in your face and the green valley at your feet. Certified guides run the operation with double safety gear and a full briefing — no previous experience required, just the courage for that first step backward into the void. The access trail is 1.5 km, and the rappel + trail package usually costs between R$ 150 and R$ 250 per person.
Voo do Pontal: a 1,300-meter flight over the valley
From the top of the ridge, the Voo do Pontal zipline launches you on a 1,300-meter flight — one of the longest in Brazil — across the valley with views of the district’s hills. The speed is impressive, but the dominant feeling is gliding: you even have time to take in the landscape. Book ahead on weekends; the ride runs around R$ 100-150.
Tips for adventure day
- Go early: mornings have calmer winds and shorter lines.
- Closed sneakers, light clothes and a thin jacket — the ridge gets windy.
- Glasses and phone only with a safety strap (or leave them with the guide).
- Combine both activities in one day with a waterfall as a bonus — local agencies build the combo.
- Always check that the operator has certified equipment and insurance.
🥾 Who is it for?
Effort: moderate — the rappel’s physical demand is momentary (the 1.5 km trail is the biggest effort); the zipline is practically passive. Children: zipline usually from age 8 (with the operator’s minimum weight) and rappel from 12, always accompanied. Seniors and reduced mobility: the zipline is accessible to anyone who can reach the platform and regularly hosts healthy 60+ ecotourists; the rappel demands more mobility, and the Roncadeira trail is not advised for those who walk with difficulty. Serious fear of heights? Start with the zipline — the flight is gentler than the vertical descent.
