Buraco das Araras

📍 What to see

• •The scale of the sinkhole from two lookouts
• •Red-and-green macaws in flight, especially during the breeding season
• •Cracks and rock faces that shelter birdlife
• •Cerrado vegetation around the cavity
• •Bird species recorded in the RPPN

🎒 Things to do

• •Walk the contemplative trail
• •Use binoculars to watch birds from a distance
• •Photograph the landscape and birdlife without leaving permitted areas
• •Join a day-use birdwatching and photography outing
• •Rest in the common area after the circuit

🍽️ Local cuisine

🎶 Soundtrack

• ♪Trem do Pantanal — Geraldo Roca e Paulo Simões
• ♪Tocando em Frente — Almir Sater e Renato Teixeira
• ♪Chalana — Almir Sater

🧭 Getting there

🏙️ Base city: Jardim, with Bonito as an alternative offering a broader range of tourism services.

✈️ Airport: Bonito Regional Airport

• •From Bonito, the attraction is about 55 kilometers (34 mi) away; travel by car or transfer usually takes about an hour.
• •From Jardim, plan the route by private vehicle, transfer or local agency, as the destination is in a rural area.
• •For those arriving through Campo Grande, it is advisable to arrange ground transportation to Bonito or Jardim in advance.

ℹ️ Practical information

🏗️ Infraestrutura:

Good for organized nature visits

🏨 Hospedagem:

Jardim offers local options; Bonito has a wider choice of hotels, guesthouses and tourism services.

🍴 Diet:

The visitor reception area has a coffee area; for full meals, plan stops in Jardim or Bonito.

🧭 Guides and agencies:

Specialized guides and monitors are available, including bilingual service; agencies in Bonito and Jardim can arrange logistics.

📶 Internet and signal:

Wi-Fi is available at the visitor reception area; cell coverage can vary during rural travel.

💰 Estimated cost:

Operator reference for 2026: R$185 for adults, R$135 for children aged 6 to 12, and R$150 for seniors; transportation and other services are charged separately when contracted.

📝 Notes:

The advertised facilities include a visitor reception area, a shop that accepts card payments, restrooms, a coffee area, hammocks and a common area. Confirm rates and hours when booking.

♿ Acessibilidade

Level: consult local operators

The attraction presents its trail as accessible to all visitors, and a regional operator reports adapted facilities, but individual needs should be confirmed before purchase.

• •Inform the operator in advance of any mobility need or need for specialized assistance.
• •Confirm conditions on the trail sections, lookouts and restrooms on the date of the visit.
• •Consider heat, sun exposure and the journey to the rural area.

⚠️ Safety

🚨 Real risks

• •Prolonged exposure to sun and heat
• •Uneven or slippery footing on trail sections, especially after rain
• •Falling on uneven ground if lookout boundaries are ignored
• •Disturbance of wildlife through excessive noise or inappropriate approach

⛔ When to avoid: Postpone the visit in severe weather or if the operator identifies risk on rural access roads.

📝 Checklist — what to bring

• •Closed-toe footwear with good grip
• •Hat or cap
• •Sunscreen and insect repellent
• •Water for the walk
• •Binoculars
• •Camera and telephoto lens, if available
• •ID, booking confirmation and payment method

✈️ Travel tips

• •Book in advance and confirm the available time, as the official website does not publish a fixed visitation schedule.
• •Arrive with enough time to use the visitor reception area and start the trail without rushing.
• •For bird photography, choose a longer lens and observe without trying to approach nests.
• •Plan a full day in Jardim, or pair the attraction with Bonito only if schedules and travel times are compatible.
• •Do not base the trip on a promised sighting: macaws are free-ranging animals, and their presence varies.

💡 Curiosidades

• •The sinkhole is approximately 100 meters (328 ft) deep and 500 meters (1,640 ft) in circumference, not diameter.
• •The RPPN lists 169 bird species in the inventory published for the public.
• •The visit views the cavity from two platforms, with no access to its interior.
• •The protected area accounts for 29.03 hectares (71.7 acres) of the property.

🤔 Did you know?

• •During the breeding season, the operator estimates about 120 red-and-green macaws in the RPPN.
• •The birdwatching and photography option lasts four hours as a day-use visit.
• •The landscape shifts between intense greens and reds in the rainy season and takes on lighter hues in the dry season.

📜 History and context

The area that contains the attraction gained formal protection with the creation of the RPPN Buraco das Araras through Ordinance No. 31 of April 11, 2007. The federal conservation unit covers 29.03 hectares (71.7 acres) and forms part of a larger property dedicated to conservation and ecotourism.

🌍 Global importance

Although it is not a recognized World Heritage site, this place brings the Cerrado, Brazil's savanna, into the international birdwatching circuit and shows how a private reserve can combine territorial protection, research, environmental education and controlled visitation.