Bonito Cave Rappelling: 72-Meter Descent to Underground Lake

Drop into an underground chamber and float across a lake no daylight reaches.

Bonito cave rappelling is a guided 72-meter descent into Abismo Anhumas, one of Brazil's most remote underground landscapes, followed by a boat ride across a crystal-clear subterranean lake. The experience includes helmet, flashlight, entrance fee and a live guide in English, Spanish or French. Children from age 5 are welcome. You can add snorkeling or scuba diving at a checkpoint during the activity, or simply ride in silence across the water and absorb the mineral formations towering above.

The experience

You arrive at Abismo Anhumas and begin with a 72-meter guided rappel into the cave mouth, descending past rock formations into a vast underground chamber. The rappel itself is the gateway. It's what makes this lake accessible at all, and what keeps the cave intimate: only a handful of people enter each day. Once you reach the bottom, the silence hits first. The guide leads you to a boat waiting at the water's edge.

The boat ride across the underground lake is the heart of the experience. You float across water so clear it reveals the lake floor, passing beneath towering mineral cones and formations that have taken millennia to build. The guide shares the geology and history of the cave as you move through it. This part requires no swimming or diving. You sit in the boat and take in the landscape. If you want to enter the water, you decide at a checkpoint during the activity: snorkeling lets you float over the submerged landscape starting at age 8 with no experience needed; Discovery Scuba is for beginners guided by instructors; Certified Scuba is for divers with Open Water certification or above; Technical Dive is for advanced cave-certified divers only. Each option is optional, so you can book the boat ride alone and add water time only if you choose.

The whole experience runs about three hours. You'll wear a helmet and carry a flashlight for the rappel and the boat ride. The cave is wheelchair accessible, though the rappel itself requires the ability to descend on rope. The guide speaks English, Spanish or French, and children from age 5 can participate. Insurance and government fees are included in the price.

What’s included

• Helmet and flashlight.
• entrance fee to Abismo Anhumas.
• government fees and insurance.
• live guide in English, Spanish or French.
• boat ride across the underground lake.
• booster seat if needed for children.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day except Wednesday and SundayDepartures at 07:30 and 09:30

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (5 to 12 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and French

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Abismo Anhumas

Is this one for you?Book this if you want the rappel and the lake as a shared experience with a small group and a guide, rather than exploring on your own. The guided descent is what makes the cave accessible, and the boat ride is built around absorbing the silence and the formations without rushing. Choose snorkeling or diving only if entering the water appeals to you.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (5 to 12 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.

What's the 72-meter rappel actually like if I've never done it before?

The rappel into Abismo Anhumas is guided, meaning an instructor controls your descent on a fixed rope. You're not climbing or pulling yourself down. The guide manages the speed and pace, and the helmet and flashlight are provided. It's the only way into the cave, so everyone does it, and the operator welcomes all fitness levels.

Can I just ride the boat without snorkeling or diving?

Yes. The boat ride across the underground lake is the core experience and stands alone. Snorkeling and scuba diving are optional upgrades you choose at a checkpoint during the activity, so you can decide once you're there whether you want to enter the water.

What makes this cave different from other cave tours in Brazil?

Abismo Anhumas is accessible only by rappel, which limits daily entries and keeps the experience intimate. The underground lake itself is the destination. You're not walking through passages or viewing from a distance, but floating across pristine water surrounded by mineral formations in absolute silence.

Is this wheelchair accessible?

The cave entrance, boat and all areas are wheelchair accessible, but the 72-meter rappel requires the ability to descend on rope. If you have questions about your specific mobility needs, contact the operator before booking.

What's included in the price?

Helmet, flashlight, entrance fee, booster seat if needed, government fees, insurance and a live guide are all included. Snorkeling and scuba diving are optional add-ons you purchase at checkout or decide on during the activity.