The Pantanal Matogrossense National Park is suitable for ecological tourism, so there is no shortage of options to discover the various tourist attractions in this region.
Exuberance. This is, without a doubt, the word that best describes the Pantanal Matogrossense. Located in the southwest of Mato Grosso and west of Mato Grosso do Sul, the Pantanal is considered one of the largest floodplains on the planet and is the smallest biome in Brazil.
In this article we will talk about the Pantanal in Mato Grosso (MT).
Recognized as a Natural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2001, the Pantanal is a destination that attracts a large number of tourists, especially those with a more adventurous spirit, even more so because it is a perfect region for ecotourism, whether on the Pantanal side in Mato Grosso or of the Pantanal of Mato Grosso do Sul.
The main cities that comprise the Pantanal in Mato Grosso are Cáceres, Poconé and Barão de Melgaço. They offer an excellent hotel, gastronomic and cultural infrastructure. In addition, they are the gateway to the forest and its attractions.
Things to do in the Pantanal of Mato Grosso
Boat trips in the Pantanal
Going to the Pantanal and not taking a boat trip is inadmissible. How can you stop navigating the calm, smooth waters that reflect the sky, providing tourists with a spectacle of their own.
The Boat Trip in the Pantanal appeals to all audiences and budgets. An important tip is to hire the service of an accredited tour guide, as in addition to ensuring your safety, you will still be able to know the details of every corner you are navigating.
Photo safari in the Pantanal
In the photographic safari, you board robust vehicles and travel through native forest reserves. It is an excellent opportunity for those who enjoy adventure tourism and enjoy photographing breathtaking landscapes, as well as recording the region’s symbolic animals such as tuiuiús, capybaras, alligators, wild pigs and if you’re lucky even the anaconda.
Horse riding in the Pantanal
Horseback riding is a typical tour of nature tourism in the Pantanal. The horses are tame and trained to ride with people who have never ridden a horse.
On the tour you will experience all the contemplation of the Pantanal nature, admiring the passages and animals typical of the region.
Dolina da Água Milagrosa (Miraculous Water Dolina)
A cave 200 meters high ( 656 ft) and a lake with crystal clear waters. Depending on the time of year, the color of the water varies, ranging from emerald green in the rainy season to turquoise blue.
The attraction is inside a farm, 18 km (11 miles) from Cáceres on the MT-341. The journey takes around 40 minutes, most of it on a dirt road.
Night Focus in the Pantanal
Undoubtedly one of the main attractions of the Pantanal Matogrossense National Park. This is a boat tour that runs through irrigated rice production areas or environmental preservation forests, the aim is to observe animals with nocturnal habits such as tapirs, alligators, capybaras, owls, deer and the imposing jaguar.
Guided hike in the Pantanal
Although the Pantanal is the natural habitat of species such as the jaguar and the anaconda, this attraction is quite safe. Since the tour is done with a guide.
The complete route of a walk can take from 1 to 4 hours, it all depends on the group you are in and the chosen trail, however the walk can be done by anyone.
Sunset in the Pantanal
There is no one who is not enchanted by the Sunset of the Pantanal, all those variations of colors at dusk, its typical vegetation and the flocks of birds returning to their nests, make this one of the most beautiful scenarios in the Pantanal region. In the Pantanal in Mato Grosso, there is no shortage of incredible places to contemplate this spectacle.
Checklist
Time to know what’s in the backpack. So be careful not to forget anything. Check out:
• Flashlight;
• Cap or hat;
• Light and comfortable clothes;
• Sunscreen;
• Repellent (smear yourself!);
• Raincoat;
• Heavy coat;
• Binoculars;
• Sunglasses;
• Lip balm;
• Sneakers or hiking boots.
When to go to the Pantanal
The Pantanal changes its landscape every season! The largest floodplain in the world is governed by cycles of rain and drought that completely affect the scenery. Therefore, before traveling, it is necessary to plan which season you prefer to take the tours, regardless of which Pantanal it is, whether in the Pantanal in Mato Grosso or Mato Grosso do Sul.
Dry period – From May to September.
The dry season is the best period to observe the Pantanal animals, pools of water are formed and the animals go to these places to quench their thirst and also in search of food.
In the dry season the trees lose some of their green and the landscape becomes arid brown, however it is the best period to observe the diversity of wildlife. This period is when the birds begin to mate and is also where the pink and yellow ipês bloom during a few weeks in August.
The most popular activities during the dry season are: Photo safaris, nocturnal focus on animals and ecological walks.
Rainy period – From October to May.
Life is renewed in the Pantanal during the flood season, the green is taken over by the landscape and most of the plain is flooded, including most of the roads, where access to places is now dominated by boats.
The mirrors of water formed where there was drought before, creating a new scenario, another nature, and as a result, another beauty. Mammals start to stay in the highest places, while the birds, after mating during the dry period, now take advantage of the abundance brought by the rains to feed their young.
Car and horse rides become even more exciting at this time, as well as greater options for boat rides.
How to get to the Pantanal of Mato Grosso
By airplane
There are direct flights to the airports of Cuiabá (MT) and Campo Grande (MS) from the main airports in Brazil.
By car
In Mato Grosso you can go to the Pantanal by several roads and highways from the capital, Cuiabá.
From Cuiabá, take the MT-060 to Poconé (104 km), the MT-040 to Barão de Melgaço (111 km), and the BR-070 to Cáceres (215 km).
By bus
If you decide to take a bus from Cuiabá, the options for getting to the Pantanal are:
From Cuiabá to Cáceres:
Time: 3h 40m
Price: BRL 63.71
Company: Viação Jaó.
From Cuiabá to Poconé:
Time: 2h 45m
Price: R$32,01
Company: CMT (Consórcio Metropolitano de Transportes)
From Cuiabá to Barão de Melgaço:
Time: 3h 25m
Price: R$33,21
Company: CMT (Consórcio Metropolitano de Transportes)
Now that you know what to do in the Pantanal in Mato Grosso, this way you can also check out the attractions of the Pantanal in Mato Grosso do Sul.
