Belo Horizonte , Brazil

Cave of Maquiné / Cordisburgo 01 day

Active

(3 reviews)

10h

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Instant confirmation

Mobile or paper ticket accepted

About this experience

Visit to Maquiné Cave, its name is in honor of its former owner: Joaquim Maria do Maquiné. Wonderful, stupendous, colossal, of rare beauty, its huge rooms, with rare speleothems, that is, the formations inside the Grotto: Stalactites, Stalagmites, Electites, Travertines, Curtains, among others. Scientifically discovered by the Dane, Peter Willelm Lund, in 1834. Minas Gerais is known as the cradle of paleontology, archeology and caving in America. Located in the city of Cordisburgo, city of the heart and of the great Minas Gerais writer João Guimarães Rosa, we will get to know his childhood home, his history, stories, excerpts from his books contacted by the “Miguilins”, who are the teenagers of the city that they leave registered in the memory of those who visit the Casa João Guimarães Rosa Museum. Stopping at the famous Elephant House, it is a house made with the shape, the architecture of the building in the form of a very large Indian Elephant, very interesting.

Available options

Cave of Maquiné / Cordisburgo 01 day

Pickup included

What's included

Tour guide

Entrance ticket to the Maquiné Cave

Air-conditioned vehicle

Travel insurance for Brazilians

Entrance ticket to the Guimarães Rosa Museum

Detailed itinerary

One of the most beautiful caves open to visitors in the country. We will go through its 7 rooms, each with a rare beauty in its formations called speleothems. Its size, the height of the ceilings, its shapes are impressive. We will have a guided tour with a local driver. You will surely take many beautiful photos of this amazing place.

Simple and simple house where the great Minas Gerais writer João Guimarães Rosa spent his childhood, in front of the house had the Venda do Seu Flô, Mr. Florduardo Pinto Rosa, his father, where today we have the replica of this Venda, typical dry and wet trade , that place that had everything in the town or city of that time. Our visit will be Guided by a Miguilim, who are teenagers from the city who show the house as a whole and in the background tell excerpts from João's books to tourists. This moment is very emotional.

Local sculptor who makes his art using reinforced concrete, mainly with animals, giving wings to a dog, a snake, and the most interesting is the full-size elephant, Indian style that inside will be a house, all planned, with its rooms and even a lookout. Too much your creativity, which we will get to know up close

Homage to the writer João Guimarães Rosa, the portal is composed of bronze sculptures of six cowboys mounted on their horses, a dog and the writer himself. The monument is allusive to the expedition that gave rise to the literary work Grande Sertão: Veredas.
The author of the work, Léo Santana, began to idealize it in 2008, the centenary year of the writer's birth. He explains: "Everything is finished in a very objective way, without losing its essence. We were able to place the pieces at the height of the viewer and cause an interaction between them and the honoree ... the sertanejos that make up the portal are not characters in the work of Guimarães , but people who live in the hinterland, with hinterland traits and behaviors that I saw in the regions I visited and in the works. The dog is represented because it is recurrent in Rosa's works and is always present in the hinterland of Minas Gerais ".

What's not included

Drinks during lunch.

Personal expenses.

Lunch

Available languages

Guide guide

Reviews breakdown

Tripadvisor 4.7

3 reviews

5★

4★

3★

2★

1★

Important information

Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Meeting point

Easy access and safe place. I'll be waiting at the Museum's door. You can get there on foot, by city bus, by taxi, by car, by bicycle.

Important notes

Show the Tourist Guide when boarding the virtual voucher. Take your ID with your CPF or passport. Please be at the hotel reception 10 minutes beforehand or at the place agreed by the customer for boarding.

About Belo Horizonte

Belo Horizonte, the capital of Minas Gerais, is a vibrant city known for its modern architecture, rich cultural scene, and proximity to stunning natural landscapes. Often referred to as the 'Capital of the Mountains,' it offers a unique blend of urban sophistication and natural beauty.

Top Attractions

Pampulha Lake

A beautiful artificial lake surrounded by parks, museums, and modernist architecture.

Nature Half day Free to explore, museums charge entry fees

Inhotim

A contemporary art center and botanical garden with large-scale installations and lush gardens.

Art/Culture Full day R$ 64 (includes transportation from Belo Horizonte)

Mercado Central

A bustling market offering a variety of local crafts, food, and souvenirs.

Shopping 1-2 hours Free entry, prices vary for items

Serra do Curral

A stunning mountain range offering panoramic views of the city.

Nature Half day Free

Must-Try Local Dishes

Pão de Queijo

Cheese bread made with tapioca flour, a popular snack and breakfast item.

Snack Gluten-free, contains dairy

Feijão Tropeiro

A traditional dish made with beans, bacon, sausage, and cassava flour.

Main Course Contains meat and gluten

Doce de Leite

A sweet, caramel-like spread made from slow-cooked milk and sugar.

Dessert Contains dairy and sugar

Cachaça

A Brazilian spirit made from sugarcane, often used in cocktails like the Caipirinha.

Drink Alcoholic

Popular Activities

Hiking in Serra do Curral Exploring Inhotim's gardens Strolling around Pampulha Lake Enjoying a meal at a local restaurant Visiting museums and art galleries Attending local festivals Boating on Pampulha Lake N/A

Best Time to Visit

April to September

This is the dry season with pleasant weather, ideal for outdoor activities and sightseeing.

18°C to 28°C 64°F to 82°F

Practical Information

Language

Official: Portuguese
Widely spoken: English, Spanish
English: Moderately spoken in tourist areas, limited elsewhere

Currency

Brazilian Real (BRL)

Time Zone

GMT-3

Electricity

110V/220VV, 60HzHz

Safety Information

Overall Safety Rating: Exercise caution

Belo Horizonte is generally safe for tourists, but petty crime can occur, especially in crowded areas and at night.

Important Precautions:

• Keep valuables secure and out of sight
• Use reputable taxi services or ride-hailing apps
• Be cautious when using ATMs, especially at night

Getting there

By air

Tancredo Neves International Airport • 37 km from city center

By bus

Rodoviária de Belo Horizonte

Getting around

Public transport

Efficient and affordable, with modern trains and stations.

Taxis

Available • Apps: 99, Uber

Rentals

Car, Bike, Scooter

Neighborhoods

Savassi Horto Lagoa da Pampulha

Day trips

Inhotim

60 km • Full day

A contemporary art center and botanical garden with large-scale installations and lush gardens.

Serra da Canastra National Park

300 km • Overnight

A stunning national park known for its waterfalls, caves, and diverse wildlife.

Tiradentes

200 km • Day trip or overnight

A charming colonial town with well-preserved architecture and rich history.

Festivals

Festival Internacional de Curta Metragem de Belo Horizonte • August Festa do Rosário • September/October

Pro tips

Visit Pampulha Lake early in the morning for the best views and fewer crowds
Try local delicacies like pão de queijo and feijão tropeiro for an authentic taste of Minas Gerais
Use Uber or 99 for safer and more reliable taxi services
Explore the city's vibrant nightlife in Savassi, but be cautious and stick to well-lit areas
Book tickets in advance for popular attractions like Inhotim to avoid long lines