Lonely Planet BrazilTrent Holden et al.
Guidebook
Lonely Planet Brazil
Trent Holden et al. · 2025
Covers Foz do Iguaçu's panoramic side, Chapada Diamantina for Fumaça, and the Serra Gaúcha around Canela for Caracol.
Brazil · Minas Gerais
Cristal Falls
Cristal Falls is a waterfall in the Cristal Mountains of Brazil. It is located in the city of Santo Antônio do Rio Abaixo in the state of Minas Gerais.
Essentials guide
Facts from Wikidata and Wikipedia, compiled September 2026; season and access are our estimate, not a visit report. How we build these pages.
Cristal Falls drops 20 metres (66 ft). It is a cascade-type fall, and the nearest base for a visit is Conceição do Mato Dentro, Brazil. Access to the main viewpoint is rated moderate.
Summary adapted from the Wikipedia article (CC BY-SA 4.0).
As a cascade waterfall, water tumbles down a series of rock steps rather than falling free.
What you can do here
Also good forHikingPhotography
When to go
Tropical wet season fed: the rains bring the volume, the first dry months bring the clear skies and full falls together.
Getting there
- Base town Conceição do Mato Dentro, Brazil
- Country Brazil
- Region Minas Gerais, Brazil, South America
- Access Moderate — a real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail
How it compares
This waterfall
Cristal Falls
Brazil
Height20 mWidth—
Most similar
Tequendamita Falls
Colombia
Height20 mWidth—
Also a cascade waterfall, of similar height and in Colombia
Largest curtain
Victoria Falls
Zimbabwe · Zambia
Height108 mWidth1,708 m
Largest single sheet of falling water
Tallest on earth
Angel Falls
Venezuela
Height979 mWidth—
Widest on earth
Khone Phapheng Falls
Laos
Height21 mWidth10,783 m
Measured across the whole multi-channel system
Most similar
Tequendamita Falls
Colombia
Height20 mWidth—
Also a cascade waterfall, of similar height and in Colombia
Largest curtain
Victoria Falls
Zimbabwe · Zambia
Height108 mWidth1,708 m
Largest single sheet of falling water
Tallest on earth
Angel Falls
Venezuela
Height979 mWidth—
Widest on earth
Khone Phapheng Falls
Laos
Height21 mWidth10,783 m
Measured across the whole multi-channel system
20 m
20 m
108 m
330 m
979 m
Cristal FallsTequendamita FallsVictoria FallsEiffel TowerAngel Falls
Khone Phapheng Falls
10,783 m
Victoria Falls
1,708 m
Angel Falls is 49× taller than Cristal Falls. Victoria Falls is 5.4× taller. We don't have a reliable crest width for Cristal Falls yet, so it is left off the width chart. Tallest · widest lists.
Watch and read
Books worth packing
Guidebook
South American Handbook
Ben Box · 2017
The one-volume continental handbook, useful for multi-country trips that link falls such as Iguazú, Kaieteur and Angel Falls.
On the map
-19.206, -43.242
Quick answers
Where is Cristal Falls?
Cristal Falls is in Brazil (Minas Gerais). The nearest base is Conceição do Mato Dentro, Brazil. Its coordinates are -19.2060, -43.2420.
How tall is Cristal Falls?
Cristal Falls drops 20 metres (66 feet). It is a cascade-type waterfall.
When is the best time to visit Cristal Falls?
Peak flow is January to May. Tropical wet season fed: the rains bring the volume, the first dry months bring the clear skies and full falls together.
What can you do at Cristal Falls?
Beyond the viewpoints: swimming, hiking and photography. Access to the main viewpoint is rated moderate — a real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail.
Can you swim at Cristal Falls?
Yes — swimming is a normal part of a visit to Cristal Falls, in the pools away from the falling water. Only swim where it is permitted on the day, stay clear of the base of the falls where currents recirculate, and skip it after heavy rain.
How do you get to Cristal Falls?
The usual base is Conceição do Mato Dentro, Brazil. A real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail from there.
Nearby
Closest to Cristal Falls
Bahia Falls
Brazil · 4 m · 4 km away
Bahia Falls is a waterfall on the Santo Antônio River, in city of Santo Antônio do Rio Abaixo, in the state…
Chuvisco Falls
Brazil · 10 m · 9 km away
Chuvisco Falls is a waterfall on the Rio Preto in Minas Gerais, Brazil, on the boundary between the…
Toldi Falls
Brazil · 460 km away
Toldi Falls is a waterfall located in the municipality of São Bento do Sapucaí, São Paulo, Brazil.
Henriques waterfall
Brazil · 470 km away
Henriques waterfall is a waterfall located in the Henriques bairro of the municipality of Gonçalves, Minas…