A newly discovered cave, named “Gruta do Vale,” has been found between the towns of Posse and Guarani de Goiás, in the northeastern part of the state. This discovery was made by a group of independent explorers after three years of studying and mapping the area. The cave, located in the Vale do Rio Água Quente, was identified on January 15 by firefighter and tour guide Rafael Sant’Ana, along with two friends. Although they managed to get within 20 to 30 meters of the cave, they could not enter due to a lack of proper equipment. The group plans to explore the cave further in the coming days.
The cave was first noticed in 2023 when the explorers, while visiting a nearby waterfall, spotted a fracture in the rock through a camera with a long-range lens. After obtaining permission from the landowner, they used advanced equipment, including a high-resolution drone, to locate the cave. The dense vegetation and steep terrain posed significant challenges, but the team eventually reached the site.
The discovery of “Gruta do Vale” adds a new dimension to the adventure tourism potential in the region, which is already known for its natural attractions like the Terra Ronca Park. Rafael Sant’Ana, who has been guiding tours in the area for over a decade, expressed hope that the cave could boost ecotourism in Posse and Guarani de Goiás. The region is situated between Mambaí and Terra Ronca, both renowned for their caves and waterfalls, yet remains relatively unexplored.
Jocy Cruz, coordinator of the National Center for Cave Research and Conservation at ICMBio, explained the process for registering newly discovered caves. The data must be entered into the National Cave Information Registry (Canie), which is publicly accessible. While registration is mandatory for caves in areas requiring environmental licensing, it is voluntary for others. The naming of caves follows guidelines from the Brazilian Society of Speleology, often reflecting the location or significant geographical features.
Toquinho Moreira, the Secretary of Tourism for Guarani de Goiás, acknowledged the untapped potential of the region’s natural attractions. Although the area has been investing in tourism for only a couple of years, it already draws visitors for its extreme sports opportunities. The addition of “Gruta do Vale” to the list of attractions is expected to further enhance the region’s appeal to tourists.
