Chasing Waterfalls in Salto Ventoso Park, Brazil! 

This past weekend, my husband and I decided to take our five-year-old daughter on a little adventure to Parque Salto Ventoso, nestled here in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. My husband had been eyeing the place for quite some time after spotting it on Instagram, and we were both eager to experience the breathtaking waterfall that slices through the heart of the park.

We had attempted to visit once before, but we held off due to concerns about potential road damage after some of the most severe flooding our state had ever seen. Before making our way there, we made sure to call the park’s information center to check on wheelchair accessibility. They assured us that the entire path leading to the waterfall was a paved, smooth surface.

However, what they conveniently left out, and what we quickly discovered upon arrival, was just how steep the pathway down to the waterfall actually was. The incline was so intense that my husband found it impossible to descend on his own, let alone think about making the climb back up. We were caught in a bit of a dilemma, debating whether it was worth even attempting to go down, but after a little back-and-forth, I managed to convince him that it was worth a try, especially since we had driven quite a distance just to see this natural wonder.

Thankfully, with a bit of teamwork, I was able to help him navigate the descent, and our daughter, despite some grumbles about tired little legs, managed to keep up on her own.

Reaching the base of the hill and standing at the edge of the waterfall was absolutely worth every effort. The sheer power and magnificence of the falls were nothing short of awe-inspiring. Thousands of liters of water cascaded off the edge of a massive ridge, creating a thunderous spectacle. One of the highlights was the metal walkway that took us behind the waterfall, offering a unique perspective and a refreshing mist from the roaring cascade.

We spent quite a bit of time down there, soaking in the beauty and exploring the walkways, eventually meeting some adventurous rock climbers practicing their craft in this stunning setting.

As you might expect, the journey back up the hill was a challenge. As an asthmatic, I found myself needing to take breaks to catch my breath, and my husband did his best to assist me. It was a true team effort, and at one point, our daughter even offered to lend a helping hand—though her version of “helping” may have involved pulling in the wrong direction, but we praised her nonetheless!

When it comes to accessibility, the park had a fairly spacious accessible bathroom with grab rails and enough room for both a wheelchair user and a personal assistant. The restaurant was level-access, though it was buffet-style, and the counters were a bit too high for my husband. But again, with a little assistance, it was manageable for our family.

The park offers several vantage points to view the waterfall and the surrounding valley. Unfortunately, some of these viewpoints were closed for reconstruction work, but the main one that was open featured a metal walkway similar to the one that led us behind the falls. It wasn’t the smoothest path, but with a bit of careful effort, it was doable.

There are also some “ruins” of an old house nearby, with only one or two walls still standing. While it’s less than 70 years since someone lived there, and therefore not exactly ancient history, it did provide a lovely spot for some family photos. Plus, there was a convenient snack booth nearby.

The park offers various activities, though, unfortunately, none of them were accessible for my husband. These activities included quad biking and zip lining, which looked like a lot of fun.

Overall, it was a really pleasant place to visit, and the entrance fee was quite reasonable. As a family (including a concession ticket for my husband), we paid just R$ 22,00, which is about $4 USD. The location of the park also makes it a great starting point for a broader day out; after leaving, we headed to the nearby town of Carlos Barbosa for a little exploration.

One point worth noting about Salto Ventoso is that when we were directed to the accessible parking spots, they were occupied by bikers, forcing us to park in a rough terrain spot filled with mud. Not exactly ideal when you’re dealing with a wheelchair, especially a manual one where you end up touching muddy wheels.

Would I recommend Salto Ventoso? Yes, I would, but only if you have someone with you who’s willing and able to help navigate the steep, mountain-like walkway.