| Buraco Das Araras - Dolina dos Maracanas | |
| Map: | Brazil |
| Relief: | 1 |
| Location: | Formosa, Goiás |
| Coords: | -15.3836°N -47.115°W |
| Depth: | 105m (344feet) |
| Length: | 295m (968feet) |
| Discovery: | 1912 |
| Geology: | Quartzite |
| Translation: | Hole of the Macaws |
| Language: | Portuguese |
Buraco das Araras - Dolina dos Maracanas (BR-020) (English: Hole of the Macaws) is one of the largest quartzitic caves located in the State of Goiás, Brazil. It is located about 120km (80miles) west of Brasília and 16km (10miles) from the district of Bezerra, in the municipality of Formosa. It is considered one of the largest sinkholes (dolinas) in the world.
Discovered in 1912, it is believed that the hole has been formed by the collapse of the roof of a cave. The cave itself is 105m (344feet) deep and 295m (968feet) wide, having in its midst a dense rainforest with gigantic ferns typical of a primitive age.[1]
To reach it the traveler must travel 41km (25miles) from Formosa, following BR-020 north as far as the village of Bezerra. Four kilometers after the settlement, one should turn left and drive on a dirt road for 7km (04miles) and then turn left for two more kilometers.[2]