São Félix

São Félix waterfall is on the farm of the same name, northwest of Cavalcante, in Chapada dos Veadeiros. The Cavalcante city page calls it the beach of the Cerrado: a short trail of about 200 meters opens onto a strip of pale sand and a shallow pool. The fall is about 35 meters high, with a run of rapids of about 40 meters.

The swim

The water stops on the sand and forms a low pool, which makes the visit comfortable for families and for anyone who walks little. The day can stay in the shade of the forest, at the edge of the fall. Lunch at the property, when the house cooks, is ordered ahead and is not part of the tour price.

How to get there

From Cavalcante it is about 68 km of dirt toward Minaçu, with a fork on the way: one arm goes to the Rio da Prata and Canjica, the other passes the village of São Domingos and reaches the farm. The last stretch needs a high car and, after rain, a 4x4. From Alto Paraíso the drive is about 160 km. This tour leaves only from Cavalcante.

Entry and guide

The day ticket published by operators is R$ 50 per person, paid at the property. The city website does not list the fee, and older ads said R$ 40: on the day, the farm's current charge is the one that counts. An overnight stay, when offered, is a separate fee. Access is with a local guide.

Photo: João Carlos SC Barreto, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons. The image was resized.