MATO GROSSO DO SUL

EXPLORE MATO

GROSSO DOSUL

Photo: André Patroni

Mato Grosso do Sul is located in the Midwest region of Brazil and is one of the main adventure and ecotourism destinations in the country. Among its attractions, there is Bonito/Serra da Bodoquena and the Pantanal.

To get there, it is possible to go directly to Bonito Regional Airport (BYO), which is 13 miles from the city center, arriving on Gol and Azul flights, from São Paulo (CGH) or Campinas (VCP). Those leaving Campo Grande, 30 miles away, need to travel about four hours by car, van or bus.

The Serra da Bodoquena region has many unmissable attractions, such as Abismo Anhumas, with its 72-meter-long rappel descent into a cave. Face your fears and just go. After all, inside the cave, the scenario is unbelievable!

Certified diving professionals can explore the flooded cave, and for the general public, floating is the best option. Either way, fun and security are guaranteed!

Don’t forget to put on the itinerary the contemplation of the rock formations at Grutas de São Miguel and Gruta do Lago Azul and see the wonders that nature has formed over thousands years.

Take advantage of your visit to the Serra da Bodoquena region

Bonito and Serra da Badoquena

and swim in Lagoa Misteriosa, a cave with a submerged area, whose depth is unknown. The attraction is located in Jardim, 47 km from the center of Bonito. It is also in this municipality that the Buraco das Araras is located, a place where there is an abundance of birds.

The Bonito/Serra da Bodoquena region is also home to the Prata, Formoso and Sucuri rivers, as well as some springs. The resorts, whether municipal or private, offer food, adventure and safety equipment, in addition to being inserted in stunning landscapes.

Another challenging option is abseiling in the Boca da Onça waterfall, a breathtaking attraction, with a descent of 90 meters high!

Want to go further? So take note of these tips: kayaking and stand up paddle, boiacross, tree climbing with dry and wet zip lines, quad and slackline rides. You can find all of that in the Bonito/Serra da Bodoquena region.

Finally, the local cuisine is also an attraction on its own. Try the boneless Pacu na Brasa, the Moqueca de Pintado or the alligator meat served breaded. The options are mouth-watering and will certainly make your trip even more unforgettable.

Photo: André Patroni Photo: André Patroni

Photo: André Patroni

Bonito and Serra da Badoquena

Pantanal

Part of the largest floodplain on the planet is in Mato Grosso do Sul. The Pantanal is a paradise for ecotourism lovers and an essential area for the balance of the environment. The biome is home to about 230 species of fish, 650 of birds, 80 of mammals and 50 of reptiles.

On the destination, the main attraction is the contemplation of the fauna and flora in the Pantanal farms, whether in Corumbá, Miranda and Aquidauana. Highlight activities are photographic safari, night focus safari, birdwatching, in addition to 4x4 tours, river cruises and horseback riding.

And how to explain the sensation of seeing jaguars, the colors of macaws, herons, tuiuiús and spoonbills, or even anacondas and alligators? With a diverse scenery, the Pantanal can be visited throughout the year, presenting a unique landscape every season.

From January to February, the flood is favorable for boat trips. From March to April, birds arrive, with hot weather and possibility of rain at the end of the day. From May to July, it’s the period of low tide, where the days are drier and the nights are colder, however, what stands out is the abundance and variety of birds.

Between August and September, there is the birth of the young animals in the nests and the flowering of the Ipês, which gives a nice color and beauty to the natural scenery. In this period, many reptiles can be seen and temperatures show sudden changes. Towards the end of the year, the warm weather from October to December is perfect for seeing the chicks coming out of the nests, a spectacle of nature!

Combine each experience with the culture and the cuisine of Pantanal and don’t miss the guitar jam sessions. Sport fishing also stands out, attracting tourists from all over the world, who can seek, catch, photograph and release beautiful specimens of Pintados, Cacharas, Dourados, Pacús, Piraputangas, Peacock bass among other species that can be found in the rivers of Mato Grosso do Sul. It is worth mentioning that sport fishing can only be carried out between March and October.

The gastronomy is also worth mentioning and among its typical dishes, there are Pacu à Pantaneira, Caribéu, Macarrão de Comitiva and Quebra-Torto. The Pantanal is also a place for adventure and there is the possibility of biking, trekking and camping - which in addition to entertaining, also promote environmental education, with a focus on preserving the ecosystem. It is really worth exploring this natural paradise.

Photo: Alexis Prappas

Campo Grande

Photo: Alexis Prappas

Capital of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande has a lot to offer, starting with the largest freshwater aquarium in the world, the Pantanal Biopark. The attraction is located in an area of 19 thousand square meters, with 5 million liters of water, in a circuit with 31 tanks and 281 species. The focus of the attraction is to educate visitors.

You should also go to the Parque das Nações Indígenas, in the heart of the city, where the Museum of Contemporary Art (Marco) and the Museum of Dom Bosco Cultures are located. The park has 119 hectares and is very popular for outdoor exercise.

Don’t forget to pay a visit to Morada dos Baís, a historic building that serves as a cultural and gastronomic space, as well as Orla Morena, Horto Florestal Park, Casa do Artesão and Mercadão Municipal, a mandatory stop for buying spices and tasting the famous “pastel de jacaré”, a type of dough stuffed with alligators meat.

In terms of history and culture, Campo Grande is the result of the mix between southern people, with Japanese, Paraguayans, Arabs, among others. This miscegenation is very present in the Central Fair, considered a local Cultural and Intangible Heritage.

The Central Fair is also the stage for the Fish and Soba Festival, where the best of the state’s cuisine is displayed. The space contains more than 20 restaurants, in addition to more than 100 establishments selling everything from clothing to delicacies. Don’t miss out!

Costa Rica

Located in the north of the state, Costa Rica stands out for its biodiversity and vocation for ecotourism. The destination is ideal for practicing extreme adventure sports, such as hiking, abseiling, rafting, zip-lining, tree climbing and bathing in waterfalls, and one of the options is the Salto do Sucuriú Municipal Natural Park, three kilometers from the city center.

It is also worth visiting the Nascentes do Rio Taquari State Park and admire the canyons, cave paintings and petroglyphs in caves dating back 11,000 years. On the western edge of the Brazilian Central Plateau, the park offers a remarkable view of the sunset, which is without a doubt a spectacle on its own!

To cool off from the high temperatures, the Parque Natural Municipal da Lage contains a natural spa composed of natural pools, as well as pools with water slides and a small canyon with jumps, caves under rocks and trails within the well-preserved forest.

And don’t leave Costa Rica without first passing through the Senhor do Bom Jesus Chapel, where one of the greatest local tales, the “Santo Fujão” tale, comes from. The tale was named after a sudden appearance of the image of Senhor Bom Jesus in the old chapel, just after it had been inserted in a new chapel. Tale says that the movement of the image only stopped after they cut the feet of the Saint.

Alcinópolis

A treasure located just over 300 kilometers from Campo Grande. We are talking about Alcinópolis, one of the most untouched places in Brazil and home to archaeological sites such as Serra do Barro Branco, with springs around caves and rare birds; the archaeological site Gruta do Pitoco, known for its mysterious underground passages that lead to cave paintings; and the Arco da Pedra site, with inscriptions that have never been deciphered.

Alcinópolis draws attention for its numerous caves and cave paintings, canyons, wild animals and exuberant landscapes. The practice of hiking, trails, extreme sports are the main attractions for tourists.

It is worth including a visit to the Serra do Bom Jardim Natural Monument in the itinerary. You can go to the Nascentes do Rio Taquari State Park, where the Cânion do Engano and the macaw nests are located as well as Serra do Bom Sucesso, which is home to rare plants, and a visit to Templo dos Pilares Municipal Natural Park.

There is also the Morro da Tigela, which is located in a complex of hills where photographic safari is carried out for the sighting of birds and animals of the cerrado. Ecological hikes are also encouraged to appreciate and absorb the uniqueness of the landscape and its massive waterfalls.