THE BLUE LAKE CAVE (Gruta Azul)
Located 21 km from Bonito.
This blue lake inside a large cave is considered the postcard of Bonito and without a doubt one of the treasures of the Serra da Bodoquena (Mountains).
It is accessed by descending a rock stairway of almost 300 steps until reaching the center of one of the largest flooded underground areas in the world. The cave houses in its interior an underground lake that shines an intense blue color when hit by sun rays along the day.
Discovered in 1924 by a Terena Indian, the Blue Lake Cave is one of the most important caves in the national speleological heritage and due to its exceptional value it was designated as a National Historical and Artistic Heritage.
In addition to the unusual underground landscape, the cave has a concentration of Pleistocene mammal fossils and a set of rare minerals. Since the cave has a large opening facing outside, it allows natural lighting in, which provides tourist activities with low environmental impact.