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National park · Brazil

Caboclos CoreParque Nacional Caboclos Core

Enter Caboclos Core for a short cave walk (≈30 min) for R$ 30–50 per person; longer hikes need a guide (≈R$ 150–300) and are best in the dry season (May–Oct).

Not field-verified
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

Some areas permit-onlyChecked Sep 2026
More
Map to the park
Directions

Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.

Area

150 km² (58 sq mi)

approximate

Established

2000

Best months

Apr–May, Oct

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
150 km² (58 sq mi)
Approximate; official source not specific (check).
Established
2000
Best months
Apr–May, Oct
Permits
For some areas

Caboclos Core is one of four cores of the Alto Ribeira State Touristic Park (PETAR) in São Paulo state, Brazil. It offers short limestone cave circuits and a modest forest trail, accessible from Apiaí.

Decide

Why go, which months, and what lives here when

At a glance

Status

  • No UNESCO listing; national park since 2000.

Size and age

150 km² (58 sq mi) · national park since 2000

Approximate; official source not specific (check).

Why go

  • Explore two short limestone caves with easy walking circuits.
  • See a natural skylight and a hat‑shaped speleothem in Caverna do Chapéu.

When to go

12-month verdict
  1. JanGo
  2. FebGo
  3. MarGo
  4. AprBest
  5. MayBest
  6. JunCaution
  7. JulCaution
  8. AugCaution
  9. SepCaution
  10. OctBest
  11. NovGo
  12. DecGo

    Wildlife and nature calendar

    Seasons shift by weeks each year
    Wildlife and nature calendar for Caboclos Core
    WhatJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
    Typical Atlantic forest birdsOct–Maryesyesyesnonononononoyesyesyes

    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

    Drive SP‑165 to Apiaí, then follow signs to the park entrance (≈25 min).

    ≈30 min

    From Apiaí (bus)

    Take the 07:00 bus to Apiaí, alight at Serro stop, walk to the fork near Margarito Glamping and follow the path.

    ≈1 h

    Zones and sectors

    Zones of Caboclos Core
    ZoneWhat is thereAccess
    Caverna do ChapéuLow‑ceiling entrance hall, skylight, hat‑shaped speleothem.Open with entry ticket.
    Caverna das Aranhas210 m cave, river crossing, flat passages.Open with entry ticket.
    Caverna Temimina INo detailed info; likely similar access.check

    Sketch map

    Approximate — not for navigation
    Sketch map of 3 approximate points in Caboclos Core, north up123
    Coordinates from park listings; approximate for orientation.
    1. 1Caverna do Chapéu · Cave≈-24.431, -48.590Map ↗
    2. 2Caverna das Aranhas · Cave≈-24.434, -48.569Map ↗
    3. 3Park entrance · Gate≈-24.433, -48.586Map ↗

    Take the points offline

    GPX waypoints · approximate

    3 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 from park listings; approximate for orientation.

    See & do

    Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking

    Show Top experiencesHide

    Top experiences

    CavesEasy30 minCaverna do Chapéu circuitFlat walk, low ceiling at entrance; suitable for most visitors.
    CavesEasy45 minCaverna das Aranhas circuitRiver crossing; bring waterproof shoes.
    TrailsModerate2–3 hLonger hike to surrounding forestCheck trail conditions; may be muddy after rain.Booking: Guide recommended

    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

    BRL ranges · check
    Fees for Caboclos Core
    ItemRangePerNote
    Park entry (cave circuit)BRL 30–50 (≈ US$6–10)person—

    Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.

    Park entry permit or guide

    Ticket at the entrance gate near Apiaí.

    Park rules

    Drones, guides, camping and more
    Guides
    Required for any trail beyond the cave circuits.
    Camping
    Not allowed inside the park; stay in nearby glamping or towns.
    Fire
    Open fires prohibited; use designated cooking facilities.
    Langur
    No relevant restriction.

    Where to stay

    Near the park

    Margarito Glamping

    Basic cabins and camping spots close to the park entrance.

    Near the park

    Apiaí town

    Budget hotels and guesthouses within 15 km (9.3 mi).

    Safety

    River crossing medium

    Wear sturdy shoes; watch for slippery rocks.

    Lost on forest trails high

    Hire a guide; carry a charged phone or GPS device.

    How much daylight do you have?

    computed for this spot

    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

    • Cave circuits are short and level; wheelchair access not guaranteed due to uneven ground.

    Visiting lightly

    • Stay in locally owned accommodation.
    • Carry out all waste; no littering.

    Questions people ask

    How much does it cost to enter Caboclos core?

    Entry is R$ 30–50 per person for the basic cave circuit; guided longer hikes cost around R$ 150–300 per group.

    What are the best hikes in Caboclos core?

    The short cave circuits (Caverna do Chapéu, Caverna das Aranhas) are easy; a longer forest trail to the surrounding ridge is moderate and requires a guide.

    When is the best time to visit Caboclos core?

    The dry months May to October give the most reliable trail conditions; the rainy season (Nov–Apr) can make river crossings difficult.

    Can I reach Caboclos core by public transport?

    Yes, a morning bus to Apiaí (07:00) drops near the park; then walk the short path to the entrance.

    Is camping allowed inside the park?

    No, camping is prohibited; stay in nearby glamping sites or towns.

    Deep dive

    Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go

    Show the detailsHide

    Ask about Caboclos Core

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