The Pantanal is a region in South America lying mostly in Western Brazil but extending into Bolivia as well. It is considered one of the world's largest and most diverse freshwater wetland ecosystems. The Pantanal is also one of Brazil's major tourist draws, for its wildlife. Some of the large cattle farms offer acommodations and organized tours.

Destinations

Understand

Talk

Get in

There are daily flights from other Brazilian cities such as Rio and Sao Paulo to the gateway cities of Campo Grande, Corumba and Cuiaba, from where tours can be organised.

==Get around== From Campo Grande you can catch a bus to go into the Pantanal. Depending on where you plan to go it may take between 4 to 5 hours to get into the Pantanal. In the bus station in Campo Grande catch the bus to Corumba. Depending where you wish to stay or booked your tour you may get of beforehand. A good place to get of is Buraco das Piranhas.

See

You can expect to see a great variety of birds and mammals such as alligators, anacondas, capivaras, otters and if you are lucky a jaguar.

Do

• Photographic safaris
• Fishing
• Birdwatching

Pantanal is certainly one area of the world where there are a lot of birds. From small and delicate hummingbirds to large ones as the jaburu. Several types of macaws, parrots, parakeets and other are easily spotted.

• Horseback riding
• Hiking
• Other tours - There is nothing ecological to The Pantanal Ecological Expedition, but it's one of the budget tours to the Pantanal. The way it is sold at the Campo Grand youth hostel can be annoying, to say the least, but it is still not a bad deal. For R$110 you camp three days in the Pantanal and activities include hiking and animal spotting, horseback riding and piranha fishing.

Pantanal Discovery/GILSTOUR offers 3 day/2 nights tours with experienced guides. The cost is 400 reias, including transportation into the Pantanal (to get out is not included). They will be able to send you right into the Pantanal when you arrive.

Eat

• Fish. Lots of.

Drink

It may be hot, so do bring enough water. Further, in some accommodation you may not find fresh water from the tap.

Stay safe

Taking some insect repellent might be a good idea, but no Malaria or Yellow Fever has been reported in the Pantanal. However, some health agencies do advise to use medicine against malaria. Depending on the time of the year you should expect mosquitoes, however during the dry season you may see very few of them.

Get out