Xingó Canyons
Canyons Of The SãO Francisco River On The Sergipe Alagoas Border, Flooded By The Xingó Hydroelectric Dam · Canindé de São Francisco, Sergipe
The Xingó Canyons are deep rock gorges on the São Francisco River, the great river of the Brazilian north-east, where it runs between Sergipe and Alagoas through the dry sertão. When the Xingó hydroelectric dam was built in the 1990s, the river rose and filled the canyons with deep, still, green water, creating a landscape of cliffs rising sheer from a lake. Catamarans run from Canindé de São Francisco through the narrowing canyons to a spot where boats transfer passengers to smaller boats for the narrowest section, the Talhado canyon, and a floating platform lets visitors swim in the canyon itself. The region is also Lampião country: the Grota do Angico, where the famous bandit leader of the cangaço and his companion Maria Bonita were killed in 1938, can be reached by boat and trail. It is Sergipe's best-known sight and a common day trip from Aracaju, Maceió and even Salvador, though the long drive means most day-trippers spend far more time in the bus than on the water. Staying nearby is better.
Canindé de São Francisco, SE, Canindé de São Francisco, Sergipe, Brazil
Catamaran tours leave in the morning from the Canindé de São Francisco area and return in the early afternoon, and most run only once a day, so missing the departure means losing the trip. Day tours from Aracaju, Maceió and Salvador leave before dawn to make it, and they arrive with little slack - traffic or a late pickup can mean the boat has gone. The small-boat transfer into the narrow Talhado canyon is sometimes sold separately on the day and has limited seats, so ask about it when booking. The Grota do Angico trip is a separate excursion by boat and a trail walk, best done early before the heat. Tours run year-round, weather permitting, but high wind can stop the boats and dam operations can change water levels. Weekends, holidays and July bring full boats and long queues at the pier. The archaeology museum and restaurants keep daytime hours and some close on quieter weekdays - confirm before planning around them.