National park · Brazil
Ouro Grosso CoreCore Ouro Grosso
Enter Ouro Grosso core: pay R$30 at the gate, hike Caverna Ouro Grosso (2 km (1.2 mi), moderate) in the morning; weekdays Apr–Oct are least crowded.Enter Ouro Grosso core: pay R$30 at the gate, hike Caverna Ouro Grosso (1.2 mi (2 km), moderate) in the morning; weekdays Apr–Oct are least crowded.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
120 km² (46 sq mi)46 sq mi (120 km²)
approximate
Established
2000
Best months
Apr–May
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…
- South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
- South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
- South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
- Brazil ↗US, Canadian and Australian citizens need an e-visa (about US$81 — check) applied for online at the official VFS portal before travel; EU and UK citizens do not. Check your passport with Brazil's Ministry of Foreign Affairs before booking.
- Brazil ↗Yellow fever vaccination is recommended for many areas, including the Amazon and Pantanal; check with a travel clinic at least 10 days before travel.
- Brazil ↗Keep your phone out of sight in the street and on beaches; phone theft is the most common crime against visitors in big cities.
- Brazil ↗Carnival 2027 runs about 5–10 February (Tuesday 9 February; Salvador from 4 February): book Rio, Salvador and Recife/Olinda months ahead or avoid those dates.
At a glance
- Country
- Brazil
- Area
- 120 km² (46 sq mi)46 sq mi (120 km²)
- Approximate core area within PETAR (check).
- Established
- 2000
- Best months
- Apr–May
- Permits
- For some areas
Ouro Grosso Core, part of the Alto Ribeira State Touristic Park (PETAR) near Iporanga, offers rugged cave adventures, a historic flour‑mill museum and a natural river pool. The R$30 gate fee grants access to short trails and the two main caves, while longer routes may need a guide. Visit April‑October for dry conditions and fewer visitors.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 2000.
Size and age
120 km² (46 sq mi)46 sq mi (120 km²) · national park since 2000
Approximate core area within PETAR (check).
Why go
- Explore radical caves with waterfalls and hard paths.
- See a traditional flour mill museum inside the park.
- Swim in the natural pool of Rio Betari.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecGo
- Jandry, cooler
- Febdry, cooler
- Mardry, start of warm season
- Aprpleasant, fewer visitors
- Maywarm, still dry
- Junrain possible
- Julrainy, higher humidity
- Augrainy, trails muddy
- Sepdry, cooler
- Octdry, comfortable
- Novdry, cooler
- Decdry, cooler
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Typical Atlantic forest fauna (birds, insects)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Iporanga (by car)
Take SP‑165 east 14 km (8.7 mi) (≈25 min) to the fork after Margarito Glamping, cross the river and follow the road to the entrance.Take SP‑165 east 8.7 mi (14 km) (≈25 min) to the fork after Margarito Glamping, cross the river and follow the road to the entrance.
≈30 min
From Iporanga (by bus)
Bus departs 07:00 to Apiaí, alight at Serro stop near Margarito Glamping, walk to the fork and follow the same path.Bus departs 7:00 AM to Apiaí, alight at Serro stop near Margarito Glamping, walk to the fork and follow the same path.
≈1 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Park entrance | Gate, visitor information and ticket office. | Open daily; fee required. |
| Caverna Ouro Grosso | Radical cave with waterfall at the end; hard path at entrance. | Trail from entrance, no guide required. |
| Caverna Alambari de Baixo | Cave reachable after 5 km (3.1 mi) walk from the visitor centre; two possible routes.Cave reachable after 3.1 mi (5 km) walk from the visitor centre; two possible routes. | Trail only; bring guide if unfamiliar. |
| Museu de Cultura Tradicional Serra dos Motta | Small museum in former flour mill, free entry. | Open weekdays; check hours. |
| Piscina natural do Rio Betari | Natural swimming pool on the Betari River, free. | Trail from entrance, no fee. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
5 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate centre of the core area.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | BRL 30 (≈ US$6) | person | Gate fee at entrance (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Drones
- Not allowed without special permission from park authorities.check
- Guides
- Required for the long Alambari trail if you are unfamiliar with the area.
- Fires
- No open fires; use designated grills only.
- Litter
- Pack out all waste.
Where to stay
Near the park
Pousada Núcleo Terra & Capitão Caverna
Budget guesthouse in Iporanga, offers guide services.
Near the park
Glamping Mangarito
High‑end glamping near the park entrance.
Safety
Heat and steep sections medium
River crossing low
Getting lost on long trails high
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Entrance and short trails are reachable by car; longer cave routes are steep and not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Bring your own food; the park has limited services.
- Stay on marked trails to protect fragile forest.
- Do not disturb wildlife or collect plants.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Ouro Grosso core?
R$30 per person at the gate; fee covers access to trails and caves.
What are the best hikes in Ouro Grosso core?
Caverna Ouro Grosso (moderate, 2 km) and Caverna Alambari de Baixo (hard, 5 km round‑trip) are the most visited routes.
When is the best time to visit Ouro Grosso core?
April to October offers dry, comfortable weather and fewer visitors.
Can I camp inside the park?
Camping is not allowed; stay in nearby pousadas or glamping sites.
Do I need a guide for any trail?
A guide is recommended for the Alambari trail if you are not experienced with remote forest paths.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Ouro Grosso Core
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