The Cradle of Ancient Brazil

Timeless, sacred, and awe-inspiring, Serra da Capivara National Park is one of Brazil’s most fascinating and least-explored destinations. Located in the arid landscapes of Piauí, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to the largest concentration of prehistoric rock art in the Americas—a living testament to the continent’s earliest civilizations.

Why Visit?

Serra da Capivara isn’t just a park—it’s a portal into humanity’s past. Scattered across canyons, caves, and cliffs are over 1,000 archaeological sites and tens of thousands of cave paintings—some estimated to be over 25,000 years old. These intricate drawings of animals, hunting scenes, rituals, and daily life reveal the presence of ancient cultures that lived here long before the Amazon or the Inca empires were known.

The park itself is stunning in its natural beauty—filled with red sandstone formations, rocky plateaus, and dry forest (caatinga) teeming with unique wildlife. Well-maintained trails and guided tours take you deep into valleys and caves, where silence and mystery invite reflection.

The nearby town of São Raimundo Nonato serves as the base for exploring the park and is home to the excellent Museum of the American Man, which showcases the archaeological findings of the region and the groundbreaking work of researcher Niède Guidon.

The Vibe

Serra da Capivara is mystical, profound, and unforgettable. It’s a place to feel small in the best possible way—walking among ancient paintings, hearing the wind echo through canyons, and touching the stones that carry the stories of humanity’s earliest footsteps. For travelers seeking deeper meaning, history, and raw beauty, Serra da Capivara is a journey through time, silence, and soul.