National park · Brazil
Cavernas do Peruaçu National ParkParque Nacional Cavernas do Peruaçu
Visit Cavernas do Peruaçu: buy the entry ticket (R$ 30‑40) at the park gate, drive 45 min from Itacarambi, hike the Janelão cave (2 km (1.2 mi), easy) in the morning; avoid the rainy season (May–Oct) for drier trails.Visit Cavernas do Peruaçu: buy the entry ticket (R$ 30‑40) at the park gate, drive 45 min from Itacarambi, hike the Janelão cave (1.2 mi (2 km), easy) in the morning; avoid the rainy season (May–Oct) for drier trails.
- 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
150 km² (58 sq mi)58 sq mi (150 km²)
approximate
Established
2025
Best months
—
UNESCO
World Heritage
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)58 sq mi (150 km²)
- Area estimates vary; the park covers roughly 150 km² of limestone karst landscape (check).
- Established
- 2025
- Best months
- —
- Permits
- For some areas
Cavernas do Peruaçu National Park, created in 2025 in northern Minas Gerais, protects a vast karst region with thousands of limestone caves, including the popular Gruta do Janelão. The park’s dramatic canyons and river valleys showcase speleothems formed over millions of years, while limited access helps preserve its fragile ecosystems.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 2025Limestone cave landscape.
Size and age
150 km² (58 sq mi)58 sq mi (150 km²) · national park since 2025
Area estimates vary; the park covers roughly 150 km² of limestone karst landscape (check).
Why go
- Explore extensive limestone caves with impressive speleothems.
- Walk the relatively short Janelão cave trail (easy, suitable for most visitors).
- See the Peruaçu River canyon and surrounding karst scenery.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprGo
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctCaution
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanDry season, cooler.
- FebDry season, cooler.
- MarDry season, good conditions.
- AprDry season, good conditions.
- MayStart of rainy season, trails may get wet.
- JunRainy season, higher humidity.
- JulRainy season, possible closures.
- AugRainy season, possible closures.
- SepRainy season, trails muddy.
- OctRainy season, trails muddy.
- NovEnd of rainy season, drier.
- DecDry season, cooler.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bat colonies in cavesAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Birds of open savannaSep–Mar | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | 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 Itacarambi
Drive north on BR‑135 15 km (9.3 mi), then turn right onto the park road and continue 15 km (9.3 mi); road to gate is sealed.Drive north on BR‑135 9.3 mi (15 km), then turn right onto the park road and continue 9.3 mi (15 km); road to gate is sealed.
45 min
From Belo Horizonte
Bus to Itacarambi (≈5 h) then rent a car or take a local taxi to the park gate.
≈7 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Park entrance area | Visitor centre, ticket office, parking, trailhead to Janelão cave. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Cave sector | Gruta do Janelão and surrounding short trails. | Open; no guide required. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
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 Wikidata; entrance point approximated from map data.
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 30–40 (≈ US$6–8) | person | Ticket sold at the gate; includes access to main trails. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Guides
- Not required for short cave trails; required for longer backcountry routes.
- Camping
- Only in designated campgrounds; wild camping prohibited.
- Fire
- Open fires not allowed; use camp stoves only.
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; bins at the entrance area.
- Cave protection
- Do not touch speleothems; stay on marked paths.
Where to stay
Near the park
Itacarambi town
Budget hotels and pousadas 20 km (12 mi) from the gate.Budget hotels and pousadas 12 mi (20 km) from the gate.
In the park
Designated campsite
Basic facilities with water and toilets.
Safety
Slippery cave floors low
Sudden rain making trails muddy medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Entrance area reachable by car; short trails have level ground.
- Cave interior has steps and uneven surfaces; not wheelchair‑friendly.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on marked trails to protect fragile limestone.
- Support local accommodations in Itacarambi.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Cavernas do Peruaçu National Park?
Entry is R$ 30‑40 per person, purchased at the gate.
What are the best hikes in Cavernas do Peruaçu National Park?
The short Gruta do Janelão cave walk (easy, 1‑2 h) and the moderate Peruaçu River canyon trail (3‑4 h) are the main routes.
When is the best time to visit Cavernas do Peruaçu National Park?
The dry months Jan–Apr and Nov–Dec give the most reliable trail conditions; avoid the rainy season May–Oct.
Do I need a guide for any part of the park?
Guides are only required for longer backcountry routes; short cave walks are self‑guided.
Is camping allowed inside the park?
Camping is permitted only in the designated campsite; wild camping is prohibited.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Cavernas do Peruaçu National Park
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