viewpoint / sinkhole · Jardim, MS
Buraco das Araras
A gigantic sinkhole with reddish walls where red-and-green macaws live in the wild. Viewpoints on the rim let you watch them fly over the abyss.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Buraco das Araras
The Buraco das Araras is a sinkhole, a crater formed when the roof of a limestone cave collapsed. It is about 100 meters deep and 500 meters around, with a small pond at the bottom fed by rain and springs. The crater began forming more than 10 million years ago; its current shape is about 300,000 years old. Red-and-green macaws live on the red sandstone walls, nesting in cracks in the rock.
The site has a story of recovery. For decades the crater was used as a garbage dump. From 1986 on, the landowner, Modesto Sampaio, began protecting the land, replanted the forest and hauled truckloads of garbage out of the bottom. In 2007 the area became a Private Natural Heritage Reserve, the RPPN Buraco das Araras, covering 29 hectares.
The visit is an easy trail of about one kilometer, with two viewpoints on the rim of the crater. From there you see the macaws flying in and out of their nests and inside the hole, and the green forest far below. The reserve has recorded about 160 bird species. Visits are always guided, with no contact with the animals.
You do not go down into the crater: only authorized researchers reach the bottom. The reserve is in the Jardim area and is usually visited on the same day as the Rio da Prata. The joy is in watching: stand quietly at the viewpoint and wait for the macaws to fly by.
Before you go
Practical information
How much time to set aside
About an hour and a half.
Best time
The macaws can be seen year-round. Between May and December, the breeding season, there is more activity at the nests.
How to get there
It is about 29 km from Jardim and 55 km from Bonito. The visit is guided and is usually booked through an accredited travel agency; you can drive your own car.
Tip
Bring binoculars: the nests are on the walls across the crater, far from the viewpoints. The trail is easy and suitable for all ages.
Official website
A look at the place
Buraco das Araras in pictures
These pictures are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs. They may differ from the place.
Click the picture to enlarge it.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Buraco das Araras
Can you go down into the sinkhole?
No. Only authorized researchers go down. The visit follows the rim trail, with two viewpoints.
Is the trail hard?
No. It is an easy walk of about one kilometer, suitable for all ages.
How deep is the Buraco das Araras?
About 100 meters, with a circumference of 500 meters. There is a small pond at the bottom.
Am I guaranteed to see macaws?
There is no guarantee, but the red-and-green macaws live there year-round. Between May and December, the breeding season, there is more activity at the nests.