sinkhole · Formosa, GO
Buraco das Araras (Dolina dos Maracanãs)
A huge sinkhole formed when the roof of a quartzite cave collapsed, about 105 meters deep. Dense forest with giant ferns grows at the bottom, and the walls are used for rappelling.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Buraco das Araras (Dolina dos Maracanãs)
Buraco das Araras, now also called Dolina dos Maracanãs, is a huge natural crater in the cerrado (Brazilian savanna) of Formosa, in Goiás. It is a sinkhole: a hole that formed when the roof of an old cave collapsed. It is about 105 meters deep and ranks among the largest sinkholes in Brazil.
The old name is misleading. The birds that live there are not macaws (araras) but maracanãs, birds of the same family, along with parakeets, toucans and monkeys. That is why the place also came to be called Dolina dos Maracanãs. Don't confuse it with the Buraco das Araras in Jardim, Mato Grosso do Sul, which is a different place.
The contrast is what impresses most. All around is the dry cerrado of the plateau. Down below, there is dense, humid forest with giant ferns. At the bottom there are caves, and in one of them a lake of cold, crystal-clear water where you can swim.
The visit is an adventure. The descent to the bottom is by rappel, always with an authorized ecotourism company that provides equipment and instructors. Down below, a short trail leads to the lake cave, and you return by an uphill trail. The outing requires reasonable fitness and is not recommended for people who are afraid of heights or have limited mobility.
The sinkhole is on private property and visits follow conservation rules. Book ahead with one of the operators that take groups to the site.
Before you go
Practical information
How much time to set aside
Allow half a day, counting the dirt road, the rappel descent, the trail to the lake and the climb back up.
Best time
In the dry season, from May to September, the dirt road is easier and the trails safer; set out early, because the tour takes up a good part of the day.
How to get there
It is in the countryside of Formosa (GO), north of town. The route follows the BR-020 toward the district of Bezerra and ends on a dirt road to the farm. Since visits are only made with an authorized operator, the easiest option is to arrange transportation or a meeting point with the company when you book.
Tip
Bring swimwear, a small towel and shoes with good grip: the cave lake is cold and the trails at the bottom are damp and slippery.
A look at the place
Buraco das Araras (Dolina dos Maracanãs) 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 (Dolina dos Maracanãs)
How deep is the Buraco das Araras in Formosa?
About 105 meters. It is one of the largest sinkholes in Brazil, formed when the roof of an old cave collapsed.
Do I need a guide to visit the Buraco das Araras in Formosa?
Yes. The descent is by rappel, and visits only take place with an authorized ecotourism company that brings equipment and instructors. You need to book ahead.
Can you swim at the Buraco das Araras?
Yes. At the bottom of the sinkhole, a short trail leads to a cave with a lake of cold, crystal-clear water where you can swim.
Why is the Buraco das Araras also called Dolina dos Maracanãs?
Because the birds that live there are maracanãs, smaller relatives of macaws. The new name describes the place better.
Is the Buraco das Araras in Formosa the same as the one in Jardim (MS)?
No. They are different places. The one in Formosa is in Goiás, near the Federal District, and the visit involves a rappel descent.