Cavernas do Peruaçu National Park, National park with prehistoric caves in northern Minas Gerais, Brazil
Cavernas do Peruaçu National Park is a large protected area in northern Minas Gerais containing more than 140 caves carved from limestone geology. These caverns hold numerous archaeological sites where people have left traces of occupation spanning thousands of years.
The Peruaçu River cut through limestone massifs over millions of years, creating more than 140 caves. Lapa do Boquete has yielded prehistoric burials and a storage silo dating back about 12,000 years. The park was created on 21 September 1999 and inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site on 13 July 2025.
The park holds more than 80 archaeological sites. At Lapa do Boquete, excavations revealed prehistoric burials and a storage silo with traces dating back about 12,000 years. The Xakriabá indigenous people live in the surrounding reserve, and visits to the caves are made only with guides registered with ICMBio.
Visitors explore the caves with certified guides in small organized groups and should wear protective clothing. This approach keeps groups manageable while protecting visitors from insects common in the moist cave environment.
The Gruta do Janelão's galleries exceed 100 metres in both height and width, and inside stands the stalactite called "Perna da Bailarina" (Dancer's Leg), about 28 metres long. The cave's name refers to a large natural window opening in its wall. Access is only with guides registered with ICMBio, in limited group sizes.
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