
The Pantanal is one of the richest Brazilian regions in nature and has breathtaking landscapes. The biome reserves unique surprises for visitors and has different tours to explore the place, both by land and water. In this text, you know everything about the Pantanal and discover what to do there at different times of the year.
Where is the Pantanal?
With an area of 150,355 km², the destination is considered a World Natural Heritage Site by UNESCO and can be found in Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay. In Brazil, the biome is located in the Midwest region and is part of the states of Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul.
North Pantanal and South Pantanal
There are two distinct regions to explore the biome: the Pantanal Norte, in the state of Mato Grosso, and the Pantanal Sul, in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul.
The Pantanal Norte is known for its cultural and artistic manifestations, in addition to fishing and aquatic animals.
The Pantanal Sul is the perfect destination for those who want to get in direct contact with the region's nature and get to know up close several typical animals on adventure-filled tours on land or water.
Major cities
Among the main cities to visit in the North Pantanal are: Cáceres, Poconé and Barão de Melgaço. In the South Pantanal, the main cities are: Corumbá, Aquidauana, Miranda and Aguapé.
When is the best time to visit the destination?
The dry and wet periods change the landscapes of the destination a lot and directly influence tourism in the region. Learn a little more about each period of the year in the destination and discover the best time to visit the Pantanal.
Low season
From November to May is considered the period of high and low season in the Pantanal. The region becomes more flooded and is a great opportunity to get to know the destination through walks on its beautiful rivers. During the high season, you will discover lush landscapes and will find it easier to find deals on tickets, accommodation and tours.
ebb period
In May, June and July is the period of transition from high to dry, known as the ebb period in the destination. During this period, the destination is even more full of birds, reptiles and alligators. The nights are colder, the days drier and it is also a good time to get to know the destination, especially during school holidays.
High season
High season in the Pantanal is during the dry season, between August and October. It is the ideal time for those who want to go on safaris and explore lush landscapes, with flowering ipê trees and many animals that appear to quench their thirst in the lakes. The ideal is to plan the trip well in advance to guarantee your place in tours and accommodation.
How to get to the Pantanal?
How to get to the North Pantanal
The best option is to go by plane to the city of Cuiabá/MT and from there go by car or bus to the city of Poconé/MT, where the Pantanal begins. By car the journey takes approximately 1h30, while by bus it can take about 3h30.
How to get to Pantanal Sul
It is recommended to go by plane to Campo Grande/MS and from the capital go to Corumbá/MS by car or shared transport. The journey takes approximately 4 hours.
Main features of the Pantanal
The destination is a transition area between the Cerrado, the Amazon and the Chaco. Therefore, it is a humid forest region, with large aquatic and semi-aquatic areas and 180 rivers that form a rich hydrographic basin.
Vegetation
The Pantanal has abundant vegetation and there are unique species that are divided into wetlands, predominantly wetlands and those in dry areas. There are more than 3,500 species of plants in the destination, such as palm trees, buriti, carandá, undergrowth, aquatic plants, ipê, fig trees, mandacaru, orchids, piúvas and much more.
Fauna
The species of animals are one of the main charms of the region and surprise tourists with their great diversity. The Pantanal is the biome with the largest number of birds on the planet, with approximately 650 species. Among the animal symbols of the destination, the highlights are the jaguar, the alligator, capybaras, macaws and toucans.
Climate
The climate in the Pantanal is divided between rainy periods in the summer and dry periods in the winter. In winter the average is 16ºC, but it can reach low temperatures due to interference from the masses coming from the South Pole. In summer, the rains are frequent and the average is 33º C, and can easily reach 40º C.
What to do in the Pantanal?
Being one of the main tourist destinations in Brazil, the place attracts thousands of travelers looking for adventure tours or contemplation in the midst of nature. There, the options for activities include horseback riding, sport fishing, trails, canoeing, quad biking, climbing and biking.
The wildlife observation tours are among the most popular, as they allow tourists to closely observe typical animals of the biome, such as alligators and the jaguar.
Pantanal food is also one of the main attractions of the
destiny. Rich and diverse, the cuisine has delicious and unique dishes, with emphasis on fish such as piranha, pacu, dourado and painted, which can be served fried, boiled or roasted.
Other highlights are the exotic meats from wild boar and alligator, as well as dishes with an indigenous influence and from other countries, such as piranha broth, Bolivian rice, chipa, Paraguayan soup, Bolivian saltenha and Pantanal barbecue.
The well-known Entourage Food is also always present with Carreteiro rice, fat beans and entourage noodles fried in pork lard and made with dried meat.
Among the desserts, the highlight is the bocaiúva milk shake, made with milk, ice cream and bocaiúva, a fruit with high nutritional value and rich in magnesium, phosphorus, copper and carotenoids. Another popular dessert is rapadura de jaracatiá, made from a typical shrub from the region.
Among the drinks, the highlight is tereré, the most consumed drink in the region. Of Paraguayan origin, tereré is a drink taken cold with water, juices, mint or lemon. Of indigenous origin, the name “tereré” comes from the snoring noise of the guampa (vessel that is served), when the drink is finishing.