Gruta do Mimoso

Until the early 1990s, only the initial chamber of Gruta do Mimoso and its lake were known; the first exploratory dives took place in 1991, made by French divers on an expedition of natural cavity specialists. The cave received visitors until 2007, when its former owner died, and with the division of the land, red tape and invasions it stayed closed for 15 years. It officially reopened on 2 January 2022, after more than 10 years of studies and permits. In the Salão dos Cones, cone-shaped limestone formations stand almost 8 m tall. The lake level rises and falls with the rains, and the 78-step staircase can be partly submerged at certain times of year.