Caves, trails and waterfalls
About 70% of the town area is covered by conserved Atlantic Rainforest, which made UNESCO grant Eldorado the title of "Biosphere Reserve World Heritage Site" in 1993.
Situated in the Ribeira Valley, Eldorado is home to several caves, the best known of which is the Gruta da Tapagem or Caverna do Diabo (Devil’s Cave), with spacious galleries and impressive rock formations, such as walkways that enable pleasurable tours. Several trails in the forest and waterfalls explain the town’s nickname: “The Eldorado of Ecotourism.”
Products made of banana, such as candies, sweets and jams, are a local tradition. The town still conserves its origins and culture from the quilombola communities, formed in the past by escaped slaves.
Main attractions
Sapatu Waterfall, Tapagem Grotto (Devil’s Cave), Cruzeiro Belvedere, Salto da Usina, Vale das Ostras, Ivaporunduva Quilombo.
Main events
City Anniversary (March), Rodeo (July), Patroness Feast (September), Xiririca Canoeing Championship (September).
Services
City Hall: www.eldorado.sp.gov.br
Tourist Office: (55 + 13) 3871-1552
Bus Station: (55 + 13) 3871-3319
Getting there
Eldorado is 250 km from São Paulo.
Car: Rodovia Régis Bittencourt (BR-116) until you reach Jacupiranga (enter the city) and then take Rodovia SP-193.
Bus: Intersul Transportes e Turismo - www.intersul-transporte.com.br - Phone: (55 + 11) 3392-7566
Buses depart from Terminal Rodoviário Barra Funda (São Paulo - SP).
Hotels and Restaurants
Accommodation
Pirâmide Hotel - Av. Mal. Castelo Branco, 157, Centro - (55 + 13) 3871-1426 - www.piramidehotel.com.br
Pousada Ecológica Recanto Encontro das Águas - Estrada Eldorado/Sete Barras, km 03, Bananal Pequeno - (55 + 13) 3871-3331 - www.recantoencontrodasaguas.com.br
Sítio Pousada Arapassú - Estrada da Usina, km 07, Usina - (55 + 13) 3871-1418 - www.sitiopousada.com.br
Dining
Restaurante Kaverna - Caverna do Diabo State Park - (55 + 13) 3871-1241
Restaurante Paraíso dos Anjos - Rod. SP-165, close to the cave’s cloverleaf, Comunidade - Quilombola do André Lopes - (55 + 13) 3871-1241
Restaurante e Lanchonete Paraty - Av. Mal. Castelo Branco, 73, Centro - (55 + 13) 3871-1361
