Toca da Boa Vista


Useful Information

Location: Campo Formoso.
Open: closed.
[2022]
Fee: closed.
[2022]
Classification: SpeleologyKarst Cave SpeleologyHypogene Caves
Light: bring torch
Dimension: L=114.000 m, VR=50 m, T=27-29 °C, H=0%.
Guided tours: closed.
[2022]
Photography: allowed
Accessibility: no
Bibliography: Augusto S. Auler ,Peter L. Smart (1999): Toca da Boa Vista, Bahia state – the longest known cave in the Southern Hemisphere in: C. Schobbenhaus,D.A. Campos, E.T. Queiroz, M. Winge, M. Berbert-Born, (Edit.) Sítios Geológicos e Paleontológicos do Brasil. online
Address: Grupo Bambuí, Av. Nossa Senhora do Carmo, 221 – s. 307-308 – Belo Horizonte
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then.
Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

first exploration by cavers from Sociedade Excursionista e Espeleológica (SEE).
1987 cavers from Grupo Bambuí de Pesquisas Espeleológicas (GBPE), surveyed 2.8 km on first expedition.
1999 article about the "longest known cave in the Southern Hemisphere" published, length at that time 84 km.

Description

Toca da Boa Vista is still said to be the longest cave of the southern hemisphere, and the longest cave of Brazil. The longest cave of Brazil is still true [2022], but the longest cave of the southern hemisphere is the Bullita Cave System (Burke's Back Yard) in Australia [2022] The longest cave list changes frequently, when new passages are explored and mapped, so most of those "facts" told on cave tours are outdated. On the other hand, a cave with 114 km of passage is definitely impressive.

However, most famous is this cave for an enormous amount of prehistoric bones, which were found in the cave. 20,000 years ago an enormous river transported dead animals into the cave, which formed massive deposits of bones. More than 50,000 bones have be excavated until now, among them the bones of huge mammals which are now extinct. An example is a 6 m long giant sloth.

Its rural and isolated location has prevented it from becoming a tourist spot, and it remains an important area of immense scientific value. The cave has numerous entrances, but all are vertical drops and require climbing gear. The cave is very dangerous as it is hot and very dry. Many cavers have problems taking enough water with them. Dont try to enter it. The coordinates given on Wikipedia are wrong though, so you will not be able to find it.