National park · Brazil
Alto Ribeira State Touristic ParkParque Estadual Turístico do Alto Ribeira – PETAR
Enter PETAR for a day: pay the entry fee at the core gate, hike the Betari Trail (3.6 km (2.2 mi)) early, and add Boia‑Cross on the Betari River if you have a guide; avoid the hot, wet months Dec–Mar.Enter PETAR for a day: pay the entry fee at the core gate, hike the Betari Trail (2.2 mi (3.6 km)) early, and add Boia‑Cross on the Betari River if you have a guide; avoid the hot, wet months Dec–Mar.
- 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
360 km² (139 sq mi)139 sq mi (360 km²)
approximate
Established
1958
Best months
—
UNESCO
Biosphere
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
- 360 km² (139 sq mi)139 sq mi (360 km²)
- Approximately 360 km² (check).
- Established
- 1958
- Best months
- —
- Permits
- For some areas
Alto Ribeira State Touristic Park (PETAR) protects a large Atlantic Forest block in São Paulo, featuring extensive limestone caves, waterfalls and rich biodiversity, and forms part of the UNESCO Atlantic Forest Biosphere Reserve.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO Biosphere Reserve · 2000Part of the Atlantic Forest UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Size and age
360 km² (139 sq mi)139 sq mi (360 km²) · national park since 1958
Approximately 360 km² (check).
Why go
- Explore some of the world’s largest limestone caves, including the famous Casa da Pedra mouth.
- Hike the Betari Trail through waterfalls, rivers and forest scenery.
- Experience Boia‑Cross, a buoy‑based river activity found at PETAR.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarCaution
- AprGo
- MayGo
- JunGo
- JulGo
- AugGo
- SepGo
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecCaution
- JanHot, wet; trails muddy.
- FebHot, wet; higher snake activity.
- MarHot, wet; occasional storms.
- AprStart of dry season, comfortable hiking.
- MayDry, pleasant temperatures.
- JunDry, cooler evenings.
- JulDry, good for caves.
- AugDry, stable weather.
- SepDry, mild.
- OctDry, ideal for trekking.
- NovTransition to wet, still good.
- DecHot, wet; trail closures possible.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southern muriqui (woolly spider monkey)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Harpy eagleMar–Nov | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no |
| Jaguars (rare sightings)Jun–Sep | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
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 São Paulo
Drive BR‑116 to Jacupiranga, then SP‑193 to SP‑165; follow signs to Iporanga and the core gates.
4–5 h
Open the page →
From Rio de Janeiro
Fly to São José do Rio Preto or São Paulo, then drive as above.
≈6 h total
Open the page →
From Iporanga town
Local taxi or shuttle to Núcleo Santana or Ouro Grosso on SP‑165 (≈20 km (12 mi)).Local taxi or shuttle to Núcleo Santana or Ouro Grosso on SP‑165 (≈12 mi (20 km)).
30–45 min
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Núcleo Santana | Gate, visitor office, trailhead for Betari Trail and nearby caves. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Núcleo Ouro Grosso | Gate, trailhead for Casa da Pedra cave and waterfall routes. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Núcleo Caboclos | Gate, access to Boia‑Cross on Betari River. | Open with entry ticket. |
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 taken from park website and approximated for trail features.
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 (per person, core gate) | BRL 30–50 (≈ US$6–10) | person | Check current rate at the gate. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Guided access to caves permit or guide
Park rules
- Camping
- Not allowed inside the park; stay in Iporanga or designated lodges near cores.
- Guides
- Required for any cave entry and for Boia‑Cross.
- Fires and litter
- No open fires; pack out all waste.
- Pets
- Not permitted on trails.
- Drones
- Prohibited without special permission.
Where to stay
Near the park
Iporanga town hotels
Basic and mid‑range hotels, ~20 km (12 mi) from cores.Basic and mid‑range hotels, ~12 mi (20 km) from cores.
In the park
Core‑based lodges
Small guesthouses or eco‑lodges near each nucleus (check availability).
Safety
Snake bites medium
Getting lost in caves high
Heavy rain / mudslides medium
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
- Core entrances reachable by car; short walks are generally on uneven terrain.
- Trails involve stairs and river crossings; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Use registered guides to minimize impact on cave ecosystems.
- Carry reusable water bottles and pack out all trash.
- Support local accommodations and restaurants in Iporanga.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Alto Ribeira State Touristic Park?
Entry tickets are sold at each core gate; the 2026 estimate is R$30–50 per person (check the current price on arrival).
What are the best hikes in PETAR?
The Betari Trail (3.6 km) is the most popular, offering waterfalls and river views. The trail to Casa da Pedra cave and the short waterfall circuit are also highly recommended.
When is the best time to visit PETAR?
The dry months April – November provide stable conditions for hiking and cave work. December – March are hot and wet, making trails slippery.
Can I camp inside the park?
No. Camping is prohibited; stay in Iporanga or in licensed lodges near the cores.
Do I need a guide for the caves?
Yes. All cave entries require a licensed guide; some caves are restricted to protect the environment.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Alto Ribeira State Touristic Park
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