Buraco das Araras, Jardim MS
1 / 10

Buraco das Araras Brazil

4.6
·2k reviews·, Brazil

Witness hundreds of scarlet macaws in a massive, 32-story deep natural sinkhole, a breathtaking display of wildlife.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Early morning

Macaws are most active

CrowdLow
Loading map...
Buraco das Araras, Jardim MS

Buraco das Araras Brazil

Best Time

Early morning

Macaws are most active

CrowdLow
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Witness hundreds of scarlet macaws in a massive, 32-story deep natural sinkhole, a breathtaking display of wildlife.

4.6
(2k reviews)

"A very cool and special place, like with all attractions around Bonito, you have to buy your tickets in advance."

Vertical photo
TIP

🎟️ Book in Advance

Pre-booking tickets is essential, often through a tour agency in Bonito.

🔭 Bring Binoculars

Enhance your viewing experience for macaws and wildlife at the bottom.

Third hero image

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Scarlet Macaws

Scarlet Macaws

The sinkhole

Witness hundreds of vibrant scarlet macaws nesting and flying around this massive natural sinkhole.

The Great Sinkhole

The Great Sinkhole

The main attraction

Marvel at the sheer scale of this 32-story deep, crater-like natural wonder.

Wildlife at the Bottom

Wildlife at the Bottom

Base of the sinkhole

Spot large alligators and anacondas lurking in the depths of the sinkhole.

Your AI travel agent

Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you

Start Chatting

Planning Your Visit

Timing is Everything

Visit early morning or late afternoon for the best chance to see the macaws active. Pre-booking tickets is essential, as this is a popular attraction near Bonito.

What to Bring

Binoculars or a camera with a good zoom are highly recommended to get the best views of the macaws and other wildlife at the bottom of the sinkhole.

Best Times

When
Early morning
Why
Macaws are most active
Crowd
Low
When
Late afternoon
Why
Birds return to nests
Crowd
Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

📍Santuário das Araras. Nao tenho palavras pra descrever a magia que existe nesse lugar. Localizado em Barra do Garças Mato Grosso. ℹ️Informações via direct ou pelo watts 66992192119. @Destinos Incríveis ✈️ @A Família Vergilio 🌍✈ @Brazil Travel @Viagens Brasil @Viaje pelo Mundo! @Marcos Vaz @Lugares Inesqueciveis @Pedro Viola @caiotravels #ecoturismo #cachoeiras #s...
@trilhas.da.barra
687.1K likes • 6.6M views

🎟️ Book in Advance

Pre-booking tickets is essential, often through a tour agency in Bonito. Reddit

🔭 Bring Binoculars

Enhance your viewing experience for macaws and wildlife at the bottom. Reddit

Realmente esse lugar é SURREAL! Olha a cor dessa água (o vídeo está sem filtro, edição de cor etc) além de que realmente é um santuário onde as araras vermelhas cercam a região e fazem um espetáculo no céu. Esse é o Santuário das Araras, localizado em Barra do Garças, no Mato Grosso. Já ouviu falar? Já me segue que tem muitas dicas desse paraíso vindo aí 😍 @Trilhas da Barra #santuariosasararas...
@viagemverificada
310K likes • 2M views
📍Buraco das Araras, Jardim - MS 📸@larissa_pantanal Siga/follow @euamo_espiritosanto ___________________________ #bestvacationspix #wowplacestogo  #examenoinsta  #bbctravel  #fantastic_earth  #lonelyplanet #destinosimperdiveis  #beautifuldestinations  #travelawesome #worldplaces  #nosnatrip  #lifestyle #brazil  #vacations #bestvacations #achadosdasemana  #mtur #travellingthroughtheworld #vocenooff ...
viajepelo_brasil
1.7K likes • 41.1K views

📸 Super Zoom Camera

Capture stunning shots of the macaws in flight and other creatures. Reddit

🚶‍♀️ Jungle Walk

Enjoy a pleasant walk through the jungle to reach the viewing platforms. Reddit

Buraco das Araras 📸🦜 . . Venham viver essa experiência… . . Come and live this experience.. . . . #brazil #macaw #parrots #southamerica #bird_adored #bird_brilliance #birds #wildlifephotography #wikiaves #pantanalphototours #bonito
larissa_pantanal
1.4K likes • 13K views

Tips

from all over the internet

🎟️ Book in Advance

Pre-booking tickets is essential, often through a tour agency in Bonito. Reddit

🔭 Bring Binoculars

Enhance your viewing experience for macaws and wildlife at the bottom. Reddit

📸 Super Zoom Camera

Capture stunning shots of the macaws in flight and other creatures. Reddit

🚶‍♀️ Jungle Walk

Enjoy a pleasant walk through the jungle to reach the viewing platforms. Reddit

What Travellers Say

4.6
(2k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors consistently praise Buraco das Araras for its spectacular display of scarlet macaws and the impressive scale of the natural sinkhole. The opportunity to see other wildlife like alligators and anacondas adds to the unique experience. Some note that pre-booking is essential and recommend bringing optics for better viewing.

"Go early morning or late afternoon. Otherwise the birds will be resting"

Carmen Tauber

"What the film Rio is apparently based on. Best visited early morning or late afternoon as that's where most of the birds are around. Prebooking is essential."

Mathias Schuetz

"Very cool and special place. Like with all attractions around Bonito, you have to buy your tickets in advance at a tour agency in the city. You will then do a walk around the whole, two platforms to look out from. Around 120 parrots are living here, making a lot of noise and super cool to just watch at. They fly a lot around. The guide spoke English very well and shared great knowledge."

Valentin Paul

What People Like

Abundant scarlet macaws
Impressive sinkhole
Unique wildlife viewing

What People Dislike

Need for pre-booking
Limited facilities

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

Buraco das Araras is located near Bonito, Brazil. Most visitors arrange transportation through tour agencies in Bonito, which often include transfers as part of a package. The drive takes approximately 30-40 minutes from Bonito. Reddit

While possible, it's highly recommended to book through a tour agency in Bonito. They handle ticket purchases and transportation, simplifying the visit. Reddit

Bonito is accessible by bus from major Brazilian cities like Campo Grande. Many travelers fly into Campo Grande and then take a bus or arrange a transfer to Bonito. Reddit

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

Yes, pre-booking tickets is essential for Buraco das Araras. Tickets are typically purchased through tour agencies in Bonito. Reddit

The best times to visit are early morning or late afternoon when the macaws are most active. It's advisable to check specific operating hours with your tour provider. Reddit

Ticket prices can vary, and it's best to inquire with local tour agencies in Bonito for the most current pricing and package options. Reddit

Yes, guided tours are usually included with your entry. Guides provide valuable information about the macaws and the sinkhole's ecosystem. Reddit

🎫 🏞️ Onsite Experience

The main attraction is the massive sinkhole, home to around 120 scarlet macaws. You can also spot large alligators and anacondas at the bottom. Reddit

A visit to Buraco das Araras is typically a half-day activity, including the walk through the jungle and time spent at the viewing platforms. Reddit

There is a pleasant walk through the jungle to reach the viewing platforms. The terrain is generally easy to navigate. Reddit

The sinkhole is approximately 32 stories deep, creating a dramatic natural spectacle. Reddit

No, swimming is not permitted at Buraco das Araras. The focus is on observing the macaws and the sinkhole's ecosystem from designated platforms. Reddit

📸 📸 Photography

Bring a camera with a super zoom lens to capture the macaws in flight and wildlife at the bottom. Early morning or late afternoon light is often best. Reddit

The macaws are quite active, so a fast shutter speed and a good zoom are helpful. Patience is key to capturing great shots. Reddit

For Different Travelers

Tailored advice for your travel style

👨‍👩‍👧 Families with Kids

Buraco das Araras offers a fantastic educational outing for families. The sheer number of colorful macaws is captivating for children, and the walk through the jungle is an adventure in itself. It's a great opportunity to teach kids about wildlife and natural formations. Remember to bring snacks and water, as facilities might be limited. Reddit

Binoculars can make the experience even more engaging for younger visitors, allowing them to spot the birds more easily. The guides are often good at pointing out interesting facts that kids can understand. The half-day nature of the visit makes it manageable for most children's attention spans. Reddit

📸 Photography Enthusiasts

For photographers, Buraco das Araras is a dream location, especially for capturing wildlife. The key is to be prepared: a camera with a super zoom lens is almost essential to get clear shots of the macaws in flight or the animals at the bottom of the sinkhole. Reddit

Golden hour visits (early morning and late afternoon) offer the best lighting conditions. Be patient, as the macaws' activity can be unpredictable. The dramatic scale of the sinkhole also provides opportunities for landscape shots, contrasting the vibrant birds against the natural abyss. Reddit

🌿 Nature Lovers

Nature enthusiasts will be enthralled by the unique ecosystem of Buraco das Araras. The abundance of scarlet macaws is a major draw, but the sinkhole's depth and the potential to see alligators and anacondas add to its allure. The surrounding jungle walk also offers a glimpse into the local flora. Reddit

Consider visiting with a guide who can share in-depth knowledge about the birds' behavior and the geological significance of the sinkhole. This is a place to appreciate the raw beauty and biodiversity of Brazil's natural landscapes. Reddit

Deep Dives

In-depth insights and expert knowledge

The Macaws of Buraco das Araras

Buraco das Araras is renowned for being a sanctuary for hundreds of scarlet macaws (Ara macao). These vibrant birds, often seen in pairs or small flocks, create a spectacular display as they fly in and out of the massive sinkhole. The sheer number of macaws, estimated to be around 120, makes for a noisy and visually stunning experience. Guides often share insights into their nesting habits and behaviors, adding an educational layer to the visit. Reddit

Visiting during the early morning or late afternoon is crucial for observing peak activity. During these times, the macaws are typically more active, either foraging or returning to their nests within the sinkhole's walls. The sound of their calls echoing through the jungle is an unforgettable part of the experience. Reddit

For photographers and birdwatchers, bringing binoculars or a camera with a powerful zoom lens is highly recommended. This allows for detailed observation and capture of the macaws, as well as other potential wildlife at the sinkhole's base. The natural setting provides a dramatic backdrop for these magnificent birds. Reddit

Understanding the Sinkhole

The Buraco das Araras itself is a colossal natural sinkhole, a geological marvel that plunges approximately 32 stories deep. Its sheer scale is awe-inspiring, creating a unique microclimate and habitat. The crater-like structure is not only a home for the macaws but also for other fascinating creatures. Reddit

At the bottom of this immense pit, visitors might spot large alligators and anacondas. While these reptiles are not always visible, their presence adds to the wild and untamed nature of the location. The depth and the surrounding vegetation create an environment where these animals can thrive, making it a point of interest for wildlife enthusiasts. Reddit

The sinkhole's formation is a testament to the power of nature, likely formed by the collapse of an underground cave. The surrounding area is a lush jungle, offering a pleasant walk to reach the viewing platforms. The contrast between the dense forest and the open, deep sinkhole is striking. Reddit

You may also like

1 of 2