The Catedral Grotto — which until 2022 was called the São Mateus Grotto — has a unique feature that no other grotto in the Bonito region offers: the entrance and exit are at different points in the cave. This means that you go through the entire interior without having to return via the same route, and the air circulation is constant, making the environment much more airy than that of other caves.
Located just 4 km from Bonito, the tour begins with a suspended trail 5 metres high and 15 metres long, followed by a 280-meter hike up around the hill to the entrance of the cavity. Inside the grotto, there is artificial lighting, and visitors receive a torch to supplement it. The route features stalactites, stalagmites, columns, and coralloids, with the guide explaining the formations along the way.
The name Catedral comes precisely from the cave's internal shape: the tall, elongated structure resembles the nave of a cathedral, which fully justifies the name change in 2022.
After the grotto, the tour includes a visit to the Kadiwéu Museum, with a collection of objects donated by local residents. There you will find cars from the 1970s, historical items from Bonito, and, on the second floor, an exhibition of stuffed animals. It's an extra layer of cultural context that most nature tours in Bonito don't offer.
Full Duration: 1 hour 10 minutes. Easy difficulty level. Ideal for all ages from 5 years old.