Bonito is located in the Southwest region of Brazil in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul. This area has increased in popularity with tourists recently due to its abundance of natural beauty. Here you can have the incredibly unique experience of snorkeling in the jungle! There are beautiful waterfalls, caves with underground lakes and diving, and crystal clear fresh-water rivers with a rich diversity of wildlife. It has become one of the most organized hotspots for ecotourism in Brazil. To explore the ecology of the area, almost all tours need to be booked with a travel agency and require a guide. Loads of activities are available for the entire family and a fun city to explore the natural treasures of the area.
HOW TO GET HERE
The easiest way to get here from abroad is to first fly into the Campinas International Airport in São Paulo. From here you can fly directly into Bonito. From the airport, you can hire a taxi to take you to your hotel. Many hotels offer a private driver option, which is what we did for our week here.
WHAT TO DO
Gruta do Lago Azul Natural Monument (Blue Lake Cave): Take a short tour to this cave with a subterranean lake which reflects a brilliant blue. A short hike down some stairways will take you into the cave structure, full of stalactites and stalagmites. The brilliant blue color comes from the blue wavelength of light being reflected back due to the mineral content of the water. The tour takes about an hour and half and your guide will take you down through the cave opening to the lake’s edge. Very cool!
*Rio Sucuri (Python River): Strap on your snorkeling gear and let the fresh water Rio Sucuri, Python River, calmly float you down its gentle waters. Known to be within the top 10 clearest waters in the world. This was an amazing experience. This is a family-run company on private lands and they will provide you with a wet suit, life vest, snorkeling gear (full face masks available if you prefer), water shoes and transportation with a guide. They will accompany you down the beautiful river, full of river fish including huge colorful schools. Enjoy the underwater gardens and flora as the lazy river gently takes you downstream. A safety boat follows behind in case anyone experiences any issues. Must book in advance. Restaurant available on site. Highly recommend!
Recanto Ecológico Rio da Prata (Silver River): A more adventurous fresh-water river snorkeling experience through a jungle landscape. On a massive private farm turned into an eco-conservatory, this beautiful property is full of macaus, peacocks, turkeys and even some tucans. This snorkeling adventure will take you through two rivers, each with unique ecosystems. In between snorkeling and dock stops you will get to do short treks through the jungle with your guide. A buffet meal is provided after your 4-hour experience, with much of the produce grown on site. Lots of tasty vegetarian options available. Clear waters, gorgeous property, delicious food- what more do you need?
*Abismo Anhumas (Anhumas Abyss): A one-of-a-kind opportunity to snorkel (flutuação) or scuba (mergulho) in a cave 2-4 million years old. Discovered accidentally in 1974 after a fire, you can experience the “abyss” by rappelling 26 floors down through the ground level entrance. Once inside you will be guided by boat and given a tour of the mouth of the cave, including one of the largest stalagmites in the world. You can then either snorkel on the surface of the crystal clear water between stalagmites, or dive down to the bases. If you have never scuba dived before, there is an intro option which will take you down with a guide to a max depth of 8-12 meters, but if you are PADI certified you can go down further. Many of the guides speak English.Be prepared for some cold water and make sure to bring closed-toed shoes.
Rio Formosa Boia Cross: This is a fun family-friendly activity that kids will love. Float down the gentle River Formosa on some inner tubes with some wise-cracking guides. Come in swim trunks and expect to get wet with your guides clowning around as they take you through this jungle river landscape. Rio Formosa actually has the largest population of sucuris (large pythons) in Bonito, but we didn’t see any. You can also spend the day lounging at the lake or jump in from their zip line! Good activity for families, but if you are short on time in Bonito prioritize the above activities.
Boca Da Onça Trilha Adventure (Trail Adventure): Would only recommend this tour if you are willing to spend 4-5 hours waiting on young Brazilians taking Instagram photos. Definitely would describe this as more of a photo tour rather than a nature excursion. Some pretty backdrops, but you are forced to go with a guide in a group of 20 and must wait at each of the 10+ stops for the entire herd to get their glamour shots. You’re not allowed to do the trail by yourself. Some cool swimming spots, but not worth the paternalistic vibe in our opinion. If you want to fly a drone here, you can pay for a private tour which might be better.
Praça da Liberdade: A cute park in the middle of town. Nice for an early morning or evening walk. Benches to relax and plenty of trees for shade. On the way to many of the restaurants.
WHERE TO EAT
*Juanita Restaurante: Everything we had at this restaurant was superb! We had the Pirarucu crocante as an appetizer; Pirarucu is a giant river fish local to the area with white flesh which is very tender. For our entrees, we had the Moqueca de Pintado and Pacu na Brasa. Pintado is also a local white fish, served in a coconut milk based stew-like sauce. Pacu is another white fish which came grilled with capers, rice, and fried banana manioc flour called farofa (which you can throw on top of everything). If you run out of sides (farofa, rice, etc), just ask for more. This goes for most places in Brazil in general.
*Casa Do João: Come here for a lively dinner with an atmosphere. Outdoor seating (with fans), live music and delicious food. Try the Pirarucu Da Léo dish, a local giant river fish which comes in a ginger and coconut milk sauce. Very delicious! Service was excellent. Juanita and Casa Do João seem to be widely considered two of the best restaurants in Bonito.
Açai Concept: You will find tons of açai options all over Bonito. We chose Açai Concept because they had a zero-added-sugar option. Loads of fresh fruit and nut toppings to choose from. Refreshing way to end your day full of activities.
Zapi Zen: One of the most popular pizza restaurants in Bonito. Thin crust cooked to a perfect crisp with lots of typical Brazilian as well as traditional options. Opt for the grande size if sharing.
WHERE TO STAY
Arte da Natureza Hotel: A very nice hotel with three pool areas, swim up bar, massages, a restaurant, and a breakfast buffet. We were able to arrange all of our tours ahead of time with the hotel reception. If you are able to, splurge for one of the rooms with a private balcony pool.
MAP
Here is a free Google Map with all of our recommendations from above.
