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When visiting Brazil, many people want to challenge themselves by exploring the mysterious Amazon rainforest, or immerse themselves in the ocean waves, and participate in the colorful and joyful Carnival festivals in vibrant cities like Rio de Janeiro or Salvador...
But it would be a shame to miss the opportunity to visit Poco Encantado, also known as the Fairy Lake – a magnificent and luxurious scenic spot located within Chapada Diamantina National Park, in Bahia province, northeastern Brazil.
With its renowned history, having been a diamond mining site in the mid-19th century, Chapada Diamantina also boasts a wealth of vibrant and unspoiled natural landscapes. For this reason, Chapada Diamantina has attracted hundreds of thousands of international and local tourists every year since its creation in 1980.
Chapada Diamantina National Park has many beautiful lakes, but perhaps the most outstanding is Poco Encantado. Poco Encantado is also known as the Fairy Lake.
Legend has it that in 1940, some people discovered the Poco Encantado cave and lake. Upon reaching the lake, they were overwhelmed by the clarity and the mesmerizing, shimmering blue color of the water.
One person in the group brought back some water to show their friends; however, upon leaving the cave, they were surprised to find that the water no longer retained its mysterious blue color. Because of this, many believe that the water in Poco Encantado Lake has been "bewitched," hence its name, Fairy Lake.
When the sun reaches its zenith, light filters through the gaps and shines down on the water's surface, creating a shimmering scene with the blue sky blending with the sparkling water. Anyone who has the opportunity to admire this sight is stunned by its rare and impressive beauty, a feature not found in every lake.
What makes Poco Encantado Lake special is that the water in this enormous depression, which is over 41 meters deep, is so clear that you can clearly see the oddly shaped rocks and ancient tree stumps that are remarkably well-preserved at the bottom of the lake.
Not only is it shimmering when the sun shines down on the water's surface, but at night, under the full moon, Lake Poco Encantado seems to don a new cloak. The moonlight spreads and filters through the crevices of the rocks, illuminating the lake's surface and giving it a silvery white sheen.
With its incredibly rich flora and fauna, Lake Poco Encantado is also home to the blind catfish, a species endemic to Chapada Diamantina National Park.
In addition, scientists have stated through testing that the water in Fairy Lake is rich in minerals, especially calcium and magnesium.
However, in order to protect the extremely rich and rare ecosystem here, visits to the Poco Encantado lake area are very strictly controlled.
Local authorities have imposed strict regulations, such as requiring people to queue and limiting the number of visitors to the magical lake. Since 1992, no one has been allowed to swim there. Even viewing and photographing the lake are subject to special conditions. Despite these restrictions, the number of visitors to Poco Encantado Lake has not decreased.
If you ever have the chance to visit Chapada Diamantina National Park, don't miss the opportunity to admire the unique and enchanting beauty of Poco Encantado Lake.
