Pantanal

Mato Grosso do Sul is home to the largest portion of the Pantanal, Brazil's wetlands. It is a destination of exuberant natural beauty, and our local partner in the state, Rodrigo is going to be our guide to the region!

About the Pantanal
“The Pantanal is a unique destination, and the more than 80% of its immense area of ​​about 220,000 km² holds its original vegetation, making this ecological paradise the most preserved biome in the country, creating natural environments that are true refuges, favoring in addition to the wildlife spectacle, a very dynamic and extremely rich natural environment with its more than 3,500 species of plants, 124 species of mammals, 463 species of birds, 325 species of fish, and a mosaic of constantly changing landscapes with the flood and drought cycles. All this preservation and biological wealth, in addition to the cultural wealth of the region, are extremely important, not only for Brazil, but to the world, which led UNESCO to grant the Pantanal the titles of Biosphere Reserve and Natural Heritage of Humanity, facilitating its preservation and attracting the world’s attention, as one of the most preserved Ecotourism destinations in the world.

The Pantanal is also a unique destination in that, in addition to being the largest floodplain in the world and the most protected biome in Brazil, it brings together exuberant flora and fauna, authentic experiences, culture and cuisine that surprise the senses, and the rhythm of the Pantanal, which gives cadence and packs all these experiences in a package of unforgettable memories, which are always exalted with affection by visitors. Many will forever remember, for example, the moment when the Night Safari is interrupted in the middle of some corner of the farm, the vehicle and lights are turned off, and in total darkness the silence gives way to a multitude of sounds of nature, that serve as a musical background to observe the dazzling sky of the Pantanal full of stars, while thousands of fireflies shimmer in the fields. The greatest beauty of the Pantanal lies in the simplicity of its experiences, and the opportunity to connect with nature in a profound and transformative way.”

How to Best Experience the Pantanal
The Pantanal can be visited all year round, offering different types of experiences each season. The dry period, which runs from July to October, offers the best opportunities for those who want to observe mainly terrestrial wildlife, while during the rainy period, which starts between November and December, extending until March and creating the “Full River Season.” This is a season of stunning scenery, where the blue hues of the water, the greens of the forest and the different shades of the sky com together for pristine scenery. The surreal colors during the sunrise and sunset before and aftr the rain are ideal sets for photos, but also for spotting animals on boat rides and horseback rides. The period between April and June is called “Vazante,” because this is when the flood waters begin to recede, and the fauna is seen more easily in the lower areas of the plain where there was water before. Each season has its charms and countless possibilities, offering unforgettable experiences at any time of year.
The Pantanal, for its exquisite biodiversity, and its accommodatins located far from any urban center, is the ideal place for those seeking a more intimate and genuine contact with nature. Here, travelers will arrive to an almost intact region, protected from mass tourism – and considering its climatic and geographic conditions – one which offers havens of peace and privacy. The traditional tours in the region are day and night photo safaris in open vehicles, easy hikes, boat or canoe trips, and horseback riding. All these experiences are always monitored by experienced local guides and drivers, and managed by an efficient risk management system, which offers confidence and security for the visitor to enjoy worry-free moments. The biggest attraction of the Pantanal is undoubtedly the “surprise factor,” which is seen in the eyes and hearts of those who visit it, and discover that, in addition to all this beauty and natural richness, there are nuances that can only be perceived when you are here.
The Pantanal, due to its geographic location, in the center of South America, is a convergence region, influenced mainly by the neighboring Cerrado and Amazon biomes, making the Pantanal plain an immense natural mosaic, with a huge intersection of animal and plant species, which generates low endemism, but on the other hand, an immense variety of species, and their large populations – in addition to an immense variety of experiences that can be had by travelers in each season. For this reason, in addition to traditional ecotourism in the Pantanal, it is possible to have unique experiences designed specifically for the visitor through special programs, such as bird watching, spotted jaguar observation, programs for photographers, experiencing a Pantanal “cowboy” experience called a comitiva, and river cruises through the most remote regions, amongst other possibilities.
The Pantanal has a very rich culture, resulting from the colonization of the region and the mixing of native peoples with the first explorers, in addition to the influence coming from neighboring Paraguay and Bolivia. The result of this mixture of cultures is present in many Pantanal traditions, including the food! Some of these are the chipa paraguaia, a cheese and tapioca biscuit, chipa guaçu, a savory corn pie, and tereré, a cold tea which is traditionally served in an ox horn that bears the name of “cuia”, and shared in conversation circles – serving as refreshment and a social experience on the hottest of days. Another typical dish, the delicious arroz de carreteiro. Different from the other dishes, which are the result of the influence of neighboring countries, this rice mixed with dried meat has its origin in the “comitivas,” in which the herd is annually driven by the Pantanal cowhands to higher areas and free from flooding, bringing with them dried meat, which is the main ingredient of this dish. Since it is not perishable, it made it possible to provide for these cowhands during their long journeys.
Is the Pantanal for me?
The Pantanal is much sought after by Brazilians and travelers from all over the world, who are looking for authentic and exclusive experiences, in an environment where intact nature still allows the visitor to have intimate contact with flora and fauna in their most natural and preserved state. There are accommodation options that cater to all types of travelers, as well as specific programs and services that can be created on demand to accommodate special requests. With the countless possibilities that the Pantanal offers, the destination is ideal for any type of public and age, and definitely for all nature lovers.
Having a Guide in the Pantanal is Necessary
Due to its remote nature, the accompaniment of local guides is essential, as they are the ones who have all the knowledge of the region, and will not only locate and present species, landscapes and the history and culture of the Pantanal, but also manage the entire customer experience during the activities, taking care of their security, optimizing the program whenever possible, and ensuring the best possible experience for visitors. At all accommodations in the Pantanal, a local guide who speaks Portuguese accompanies customers during all tours, while a bilingual guide is a service offered by a few, and it may be necessary to hire this service separately for travelers who do not speak Portuguese. Viare would be able to help you arrange this.
Planning Your Trip to the Pantanal
Due to its remote nature, the accompaniment of local guides is essential, as they are the ones who have all the knowledge of the region, and will not only locate and present species, landscapes and the history and culture of the Pantanal, but also manage the entire customer experience during the activities, taking care of their security, optimizing the program whenever possible, and ensuring the best possible experience for visitors. At all accommodations in the Pantanal, a local guide who speaks Portuguese accompanies customers during all tours, while a bilingual guide is a service offered by a few, and it may be necessary to hire this service separately for travelers who do not speak Portuguese. Viare would be able to help you arrange this.
About Our Pantanal Specialist
Ecotourism came early in Rodrigo’s life, when he was still an English teacher, between the mid-nineties and early 2000s, when he started working in a small operator in the interior of Mato Grosso do Sul – where he fell in love with ecotourism, and so for the next 15 years, he lived in the Pantanal, working in all sectors, from management to leisure, often also guiding – work that later also extended to the Serra da Bodoquena and Bonito regions. In these more than 2 decades, he has been lucky to host ecotourists, media professionals, photographers, birdwatchers, and other types of travelers – catering to the most discerning of clients, many nationalities and personalities, which ended up giving him even more tools to look at and treat each traveler or request uniquely, helping to gauge client expectations, and delivering a richer, optimized, and personalized experience. Knowing the destination in detail gives you a lot of security and pleasure when designing, organizing and materializing customer expectations, and Rodrigo is our local partner to call when planning in the Pantanal.
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