Get ready to be enthralled by the natural beauty of São Miguel Cave (Gruta de São Miguel). Marvel at impressive speleothems, mineral deposits formed over millions of years from the groundwater in subterranean caves. Watch as colorful birds fly above the cave’s encompassing forest. São Miguel Cave is an attraction suitable for most ages and a great side trip from Bonito.
The tour starts with a video presentation about the ecological and environmental aspects of Bonito and its surroundings. Browse the small exhibition of indigenous artifacts that belong to regional tribes. Listen to the safety instructions given by your guide, put on a safety helmet, pick up a torch and get ready for your adventure.
Access to the cave is via a suspended footbridge and marked trails, which pass through a forest. Look up to observe some of the bird types that inhabit the area. Among these are guaxe, macaw, tanager and trogon.
Follow the trails deep down into the cave and get within touching distance of huge stalactites and stalagmites formed from travertine rock. Soft lighting illuminates much of the cave’s most important aspects. Use your torch to see the cave’s more concealed features. Listen as your guide explains the difference between the speleothems and gives an estimation of their age.
The return journey from the cave is by electric car, which drops you off at the reception. Here, you can linger a while in a garden and observe macaws feeding in birdhouses. There is also a café that serves drinks, snacks and light meals.
São Miguel Cave is about a 35-minute drive from the center of Bonito. It’s open daily and there’s an admission fee. Guided tours last approximately 2 hours. Get here by taxi or by a tour arranged at one of the town’s many travel agencies. The attraction is not deemed suitable for children under the age of 5. More information is available on the cave’s official website.