Cachoeira

Complexo Rio Caldeira — Cachoeira do Caracol

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A private waterfall complex on the Rio Caldeira, ~19 km from Alto Paraíso via the GO-239 toward the village of Sertão, with four falls in a row: Caracol, Pedrão, and Walkyrias 1 and 2, all with swimming pools. The Cachoeira do Caracol, the last and tallest on the route, falls through a fissure in the rock forming a veil in front of a spiral wall — the final access is by via ferrata (a metal ladder fixed to the rock) with a harness and helmet provided, in groups of up to 6 visitors plus the guide; under-10s can't go up. The visit requires booking and an accredited guide — it's forbidden to enter the complex without a guide. An easy ~2.5 km (round-trip) trail along the river, with shaded forest stretches.

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Drop

2.5 km

Trail (round trip)

Easy

Difficulty

R$ 80

Entry

Before you go

Official complex rule: no entry without an accredited guide/leader. Booking required via WhatsApp (61) 99965-8738 (Kátia) or Instagram @complexoriocaldeira; wristbands/tickets picked up in advance (sold Mon–Sat at the Fluorita Boutique shop, Hotel Tapindaré, in Alto Paraíso). Entry R$ 80 (residents R$ 40; under-6 free, 7–13 half price) — a Mar 2026 source cites ~R$ 100, confirm the price when booking. The via ferrata equipment (harness and helmet) is provided on site and is mandatory. Caracol: groups of up to 6 visitors plus the guide; under-10s don't go up.
9am to 4pm; 2024–26 sources differ between daily operation and Thursday to Tuesday (closed Wednesdays, per Curtamais Mar 2026) — confirm when booking.
In the rainy season the complex may close and reopen unpredictably and access may change — confirm availability before you go.

Where to arrange a guide

CAT Alto Paraíso — (62) 3446-1159 · diariamente 8h–12h / 13h–17h
Servitur (associação de guias de ecoturismo) — WhatsApp (62) 99678-5160 · @servitur_ecoturismo

How to get there

Dirt roadA regular car manages with care.

From Alto Paraíso19 km

GO-239 toward the village of Sertão, most of it by dirt road (~19–20 km total). Entry and exit only through the complex gate. Sources differ on the dirt mileage — confirm conditions when booking, especially in the rainy season.

Google Maps Waze

Approximate pin — confirm access with a local guide before driving out there.

The trail

2.5 km

Distance

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Time

Easy

Level

An easy trail (~1.6 km from the parking area to the first fall), largely shaded with ropes on the stretches that need care; the full route past all 4 falls is ~4 km (Wikiloc). The final stretch to the Cachoeira do Caracol is by via ferrata — hard, not recommended for anyone afraid of heights.

The water & the river

GoldenClarity 4/5

River: Rio Caldeira

Ratings

Beleza

Trilha

Lotação

Acesso

Scored 1 to 5. Beauty is subjective — so we split it into axes, letting you sort by what matters to you.

Planning your visit

Complexo Rio Caldeira — Cachoeira do Caracol is about 19 km by road from Alto Paraíso; access is by a well-kept dirt road; the trail is 2.5 km round trip, easy level.

The visit requires a local guide: official complex rule: no entry without an accredited guide/leader. Booking required via WhatsApp (61) 99965-8738 (Kátia) or Instagram @complexoriocaldeira; wristbands/tickets picked up in advance (sold Mon–Sat at the Fluorita Boutique shop, Hotel Tapindaré, in Alto Paraíso). Entry R$ 80 (residents R$ 40; under-6 free, 7–13 half price) — a Mar 2026 source cites ~R$ 100, confirm the price when booking. The via ferrata equipment (harness and helmet) is provided on site and is mandatory. Caracol: groups of up to 6 visitors plus the guide; under-10s don't go up; entry costs R$ 80 per person.

Do I need a guide?: Official complex rule: no entry without an accredited guide/leader. Booking required via WhatsApp (61) 99965-8738 (Kátia) or Instagram @complexoriocaldeira; wristbands/tickets picked up in advance (sold Mon–Sat at the Fluorita Boutique shop, Hotel Tapindaré, in Alto Paraíso). Entry R$ 80 (residents R$ 40; under-6 free, 7–13 half price) — a Mar 2026 source cites ~R$ 100, confirm the price when booking. The via ferrata equipment (harness and helmet) is provided on site and is mandatory. Caracol: groups of up to 6 visitors plus the guide; under-10s don't go up.
How much is entry?: R$ 80 per person.
Can I go in a regular car?: Yes, with care — well-kept dirt road.
When to go?: In the rainy season the complex may close and reopen unpredictably and access may change — confirm availability before you go.
What are the hours?: 9am to 4pm; 2024–26 sources differ between daily operation and Thursday to Tuesday (closed Wednesdays, per Curtamais Mar 2026) — confirm when booking.