Caves
A great cave region.
Rodrigo Albertini — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Rodrigo Albertini — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Hugopscosta — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Leandro Duran Pereira — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Marcelo Santucci — CC BY-SA 3.0
The Alto Ribeira Tourist State Park, known as PETAR, is one of the oldest parks in São Paulo state, created on 19 May 1958 between the towns of Apiaí and Iporanga, about 320 km from the city of São Paulo. It protects Atlantic Forest mountains holding more than 350 caves, one of Brazil's most important cave regions, along with waterfalls, trails and archaeological sites, and traditional and quilombola communities live inside it. It is visited through separate «nuclei», the best known being Santana, home to the Santana cave. Entry is R$19 per person per nucleus, free for over-60s and under-12s and half price for students, and covers more than one cave in the same nucleus. Caves may only be visited with an accredited environmental guide, paid separately. The park opens Tuesday to Sunday 8:00-17:00, with entry until 16:00. Wear clothes that can get wet and muddy, and allow at least two days.
A great cave region.
Green mountains.
The most visited.
Between Apiaí and Iporanga, southern São Paulo state
Yes, caves can only be visited with an accredited guide, paid separately from the R$19 nucleus fee.