waterfall · Cavalcante, GO
Cachoeira Santa Bárbara
A waterfall that drops into an almost unreal turquoise-blue pool, inside the Kalunga quilombola territory. Access is with guides from the community itself.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Cachoeira Santa Bárbara
The Cachoeira Santa Bárbara (waterfall) is in Cavalcante, in the Kalunga quilombola territory, in the Engenho II community. It's a fall of about 30 meters into a pool of turquoise-blue water, surrounded by rock walls and forest. The territory is part of the Kalunga Historic Site and Cultural Heritage, recognized as the largest quilombo (community founded by people who escaped slavery) in Brazil. Other waterfalls visited with a Kalunga guide, such as Capivara and Candaru, are in the same area.
Visits are organized by the community itself, through the Engenho II association, which won the 2023 National Tourism Award in the community-based tourism category. A Kalunga guide is required, with groups of up to six people, and the number of visitors is limited per day and per hour, so the pool doesn't get crowded.
From the visitor center in Engenho II there are still a few kilometers of rough road and a trail on foot to the waterfall. There, you swim in the pool itself. The intense color shows best with high sun and clean water, in the dry season; in the rainy season the water can turn murky.
The waterfall is closed on the days of traditional Kalunga festivals, such as Reis and São Sebastião in January, Santo Antônio in July, and Nossa Senhora das Neves in early September. Check the association's calendar before booking your trip.
Before you go
Practical information
How much time to set aside
About three hours, with the trail and a swim.
Best time
The dry season, from May to September, with clearer water. Around midday, the overhead sun makes the blue more intense.
How to get there
From Cavalcante, about 30 km of dirt road to Engenho II, and from there about 4 km more to the trailhead, by car or on community transportation. In the rainy season, it's best to go in a high-clearance vehicle.
Tip
Book through the association's system before your trip, because the daily limit sells out in high season, and bring a photo ID, which is requested at the entrance.
Official website
A look at the place
Cachoeira Santa Bárbara in pictures
These pictures are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs. They may differ from the place.
Click the picture to enlarge it.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Cachoeira Santa Bárbara
Is the Cachoeira Santa Bárbara in Alto Paraíso?
No. It's in Cavalcante, in the Kalunga community of Engenho II, inside the Kalunga quilombola territory.
Do I need a guide?
Yes. A Kalunga guide is required, with groups of up to six people.
Is there a visitor limit?
Yes. Entries are limited per day and per hour, so it's worth booking ahead through the association's system.
Can a regular car make it?
In the dry season, yes, slowly: it's about 30 km of dirt road from Cavalcante. In the rainy season, a high-clearance vehicle or the community's transportation is better.
Is the waterfall open every day?
It's closed on the days of traditional Kalunga festivals, such as Reis and São Sebastião in January, Santo Antônio in July, and Nossa Senhora das Neves in early September.