Piatã lies on a high plateau between the Serra de Santana and the Serra do Tromba. The landscape ranges from the vegetation of the Serra to the open fields of the Gerais de Piatã. Churches, a Semana Santa procession and nature destinations give your stay a variety of points of interest. To help you plan, consider the short walk to the Capelinha, the summit hike and the drive to Cachoeira do Cochó as separate destinations.

High Plateau and Open Landscape

The Serra de Santana reaches heights of more than 1,400 meters. Its landscape includes ferns, bromeliads and orchids. The Gerais de Piatã are home to vast open fields, which are ideal for watching the sunset or taking in the landscape at your leisure. These offer two distinct natural settings: the vegetation of the Serra and the open expanses of the Gerais. The source of the Rio das Contas is also in the Piatã area.

Hiking on the Serra de Santana

The hike to the summit of the Serra de Santana takes approximately an hour and a half, covers 2 kilometers and reaches an altitude of 1,700 meters. From the park entrance at the Serra de Santana to the Capelinha, it is 600 meters along a moderate uphill trail. The distances refer to different destinations: the 2-kilometer route leads to the summit, while the 600 meters run from the park entrance to the Capelinha.

Chapels and Churches in Piatã

The centuries-old Capela do Senhor do Bonfim on the Serra de Santana is one of Piatã’s landmarks. During Semana Santa, a procession climbs the Serra de Santana to the chapel. In Piatã, the Matriz do Senhor Bom Jesus was fully restored, and relics were uncovered during the work. The Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Rosário is a baroque building at the entrance to the town center. Nossa Senhora do Rosário is the city’s patron saint.

There is also a specific landmark to help you find your way around town: in 2019, tourist signs in Piatã pointed the way to the Museu Histórico. Check locally to see whether the signs are still there.

Cachoeira do Cochó: Waterfall and Route

Cachoeira do Cochó has a waterfall approximately 12 meters high. Its pool is surrounded by light-colored sand, and the water is clear. The route from central Piatã consists of about 10 kilometers of paved road, followed by 14 kilometers of well-maintained unpaved road, and then a flat walk of approximately ten minutes. Check current road conditions in advance. This will help you account for the combination of road sections and the walk when planning your visit.

Bahia in a Broader Context

The wider destination of Bahia is also home to the Ofício das Baianas de Acarajé. Since 2005, the practice has been listed in the Livro dos Saberes as intangible cultural heritage of Brazil. It encompasses the preparation and sale of Baiana dishes. Acarajé is made from ground black-eyed peas, filled with vatapá, caruru and dried shrimp, and prepared with palm oil.

Discover more destinations: Caetité, Morro do Chapéu, Catu, Dias d'Ávila, Araças, Paulo Afonso, Maraú, Ipupiara

For the broader travel overview: Bahia.