Getting There
By Car -- The town of Lençóis is 395km (245 miles) from Salvador. Take BR-324 to Feira to Santana, turn onto BR-116 to Argoim and then BR-242 to Lençóis. The road is paved the entire way, but the asphalt breaks up in places on the BR-242.
By Bus -- Real Expresso (tel. 0800/617-325; www.realexpresso.com.br) makes the approximately 5-hour journey between Salvador and Lençóis at a cost of R$48. Buses depart the Salvador Rodoviaria for Lençóis daily at 7am, 4:30pm, and 11:30pm. From Lençóis, buses depart the bus station at Av. Senhor dos Passos s/n (tel. 075/3334-1112) for Salvador daily at 7:30am, 1:15pm, and 11:30pm.
By Plane -- TRIP (tel. 0300/789-8747; www.voetrip.com.br) operates a weekly flight between Salvador and Lençóis. Flights depart Salvador on Saturday at 9:50am and arrive in Lençóis at 10:45am. From Lençóis, flights depart every Saturday at 11am, arriving in Salvador at noon. Flights cost as little as R$120 one way, if you book early.
Getting Around
All parts of Lençóis can be reached by foot in less than 15 minutes. Excursions to the many caves and waterfalls in the area all include transport. Car rental is best done in Salvador.
Visitor Information
In Lençóis, the local tourism agency Sectur Lençóis, Av. Sr. dos Passos s/n, opposite the Portal Lençóis Hotel on the far side of the river from the main square (tel. 075/3334-1327), has pamphlets on tours and attractions in the area. Staff speaks Portuguese only.
The official city tourism website is www.guialencois.com. In English, there's a reasonably good website with geology, trail maps, and more at www.gd.com.br/candomba/english.
Worthwhile books on the Chapada Diamantina include A Visitor's Guide to the Chapada Diamantina Mountains by Roy Funch and Trilhas e Caminhos: Circuito do Diamante by Roberto Bandeira, worth it just for the top-quality topographic map. Both books are published by the State Secretary of Tourism (SCTP) and usually available in Lençóis at Loja Dois Irmaos on the main square, or in bookstores in Salvador.
Fast Facts
The Banco do Brasil, Praça Horario de Matos 56 (main square), is open Monday through Friday from 9am to 1pm. ATM is open 24 hours -- PLUS/Visa only. There's Internet access at Pede Trilha, Rua Miguel Calmon s/n, opposite the market hall (tel. 075/3334-1124); it's open daily from 8am to 10pm. Connection costs R$6. For first-aid and medical supplies there's Pharmacia Maciel, Av. 7 de Setembro 50 (tel. 075/3334-1224), open daily from 8am to 8:30pm. The post office is at Av. Sete de Setembro 18. Open Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
