Located in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Southern Pantanal boasts a landscape scattered with bustling cities, picturesque cattle ranches and pristine landscape encompassing the largest tropical wetland area in South America. Visitors to the region can begin the Southern Pantanal experience at Corumba, the largest town in the Pantanal and the region’s historic hub, then drive along the unpaved road of Estrada Parque, a popular wildlife route that is home to capybara, jacare, giant anteaters, anacondas and a variety of birdlife. For a taste of local cowboy culture, visit the cattle ranches of Aquidauana and Miranda to discover the cattle rides, music, and traditional leatherwork of the pantaneiro cowboys, and explore the incredible landscapes while kayaking, canoeing and fishing on the rivers and exploring the Maracajú Plateau and Serra mountain ranges.
Situated in the southwestern corner of the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, the picturesque playground of Bonito is known as the heart of ecotourism in Brazil. This town is a popular tourist destination as it is encircled by idyllic surrounds featuring cascading waterfalls, lush forests, crystal-clear rivers and otherworldly caves sheltering sparkling lakes and ancient stalactites. Renowned for its incredible natural beauty, this ecological paradise boasts a unique biodiversity. Visitors can look forward to a wide variety of exciting activities including: exploring the underwater wonderland on one of many snorkelling excursions through crystalline waters, hiking along a network of scenic trails, and spelunking through some of the most breathtakingly beautiful caverns in the world.
This magnificent waterfall marks the confluence of the Iguazu River in Argentina and the Parana River in Brazil, and the meeting of the two countries is marked by stone pillars rising from the water. It is said that the former first lady of America, Eleanor Roosevelt, exclaimed her ‘pity’ for her country’s Niagara Falls when she first encountered the beauty of Iguazu Falls. Roughly half the combined volume of both rivers thunders into the Devil’s Throat, a U-shaped cataract that delivers a torrential deluge of water into the wide basin below. Visitors can look forward to ample opportunities for excellent jet boat safaris, kayaking, hiking, biking, and more. Make sure to visit the extraordinary Iguassu Bird Park to see toucans and other brightly coloured exotic birds in their natural habitat.
