Serra da Bocaina National Park, located on the border of the states of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, covers an area of about 100 thousand hectares. It encompasses municipalities such as São José do Barreiro (where the park headquarters is located), Bananal, Cunha, Paraty, and Angra dos Reis.
The park preserves one of the largest and richest remaining parts of the country's Atlantic Forest. With altitudes ranging from almost zero to over 2 thousand meters, it connects the plateau with the coast and features diverse landscapes. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and biosphere reserve, this region is also known for its biodiversity, including animals such as jaguars and bugios.
Amidst all this lush nature are trails leading to picturesque waterfalls. Below are five places that can be visited:
Serra da Bocaina National Park
Santo Isidro Waterfall is a waterfall between 60 and 80 meters high, which forms a wide basin with sandy bottom and crystal-clear cold water, ideal for relaxing swims. The route to this spot is a pleasure in itself. The trail starts at Portal das Garrafas, the main entrance to the park, and takes between 20 and 45 minutes. Since the route is easy and well-marked, it has few ascents and passes through streams, a bridge, and sections surrounded by large azaleas. Arrival is from the top of the waterfall, offering a beautiful view before descending to the base.
Located in the upper part of Serra da Bocaina, Moshileiros Waterfall is just over six kilometers from Portal das Garrafas. Access to it is considered of medium difficulty, but the effort is rewarded by the unique beauty of the location. At the base of the waterfall, a beautiful pool of warm water is formed, suitable for swimming, especially on hot days. However, during the rainy season, increased caution is necessary due to the risk of waterspouts.
Passes Waterfall is surrounded by the lushness of the Atlantic Forest and is fed by the waters of the Mambucaba River. There, the main flow empties into a large, rock-surrounded basin, while another, smaller one, is ideal for quiet swimming. This waterfall is often visited after Santo Isidro and Moshileiros because all three are located on the initial section of the transition towards the coast. The trail to this spot, also of medium difficulty, passes by the ruins of an old farm that was used for growing and logging, such as eucalyptus, pine, and Portuguese cedar.
Serra da Bocaina National Park
Veadu Waterfall is one of the most famous attractions for those traveling in this region. With a height of about 200 meters, it consists of three cascades. At the bottom, its waters fall into a very attractive pool on warm days. Located approximately 28 kilometers from Portal das Garrafas, the waterfall is accessible via a trail classified as difficult. Although access to the lowest, third cascade is not very difficult, the path to the other two includes steep sections and, depending on the season, a lot of mud.
Jacu Pintado Waterfall
Jacu Pintado Waterfall, also known as Onça Waterfall, is one of the main attractions in the northeastern sector of the park. It is located in Sertão da Onça, during the ascent of Serra da Bocaina, and the attraction is surrounded by virtually untouched nature. The trail starting in Sertão da Onça is considered easily accessible. The waterfall is near Onça Cave, the largest limestone cave in Brazil, extending about 300 meters. This site alone makes visiting the region even more interesting. The place is also known for the presence of bugio flocks, whose loud sounds often surprise visitors in the forest. Many travelers also use this trip to see Esprayada Waterfall, located in the same area.
