Want to visit the beautiful Pantanal in Brazil? Good choice. It is one of the most beautiful nature reserves in the world with a variety of special animals, including the endangered jaguar that has a huge population in the Pantanal. To help to plan your visit we give you the most important travel tips.
The Pantanal is the world’s largest tropical wetland, spanning approximately 65,000 square miles across Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay. Its name comes from the Portugese word Pantano, meaning wetland or marsh.
The Pantanal has a unique ecosystem that serves as the source of two important river systems in the region: the Paraguay and the Cuiaba rivers. During winter (November to March) around 80% of the Pantanal becomes flooded, which creates the beautiful mosaic of flooded grasslands, savannas, and seasonal rivers.
Unlike the Amazon rainforest, the Pantanal is more open, offering better opportunities to observe wildlife. It is considered a key region for jaguar conservation, as it has one of the highest densities of these big cats. But there are more unique animals of the Pantanal. During your trip you can also spot the giant anteater, tapir, giant river otter, Jabiru stork and over 650 bird species.
The Pantanal is generally divided into two regions: the Northern Pantanal and the Southern Pantanal, each with unique characteristics.
The Northern Pantanal is located in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil, with the city of Cuiabá as its main gateway. The Northern Pantanal stretches southward from Cuiabá, along the famous Transpantaneira Highway: a 91-mile dirt road that leads into the heart of Northern Pantanal. The highway runs to the small town of Porto Jofre near the Cuiabá River. The northern part is best jaguar photography.
The Southern Pantanal is primarily located in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Its main gateway cities are Campo Grande and Corumbá, both of which provide access to the region. The Southern Pantanal also extends into parts of Bolivia and Paraguay but is most often explored from the Brazilian side. The Southern Pantanal is ideal for a more cultural and immersive experience, combining traditional ranch life (fazendas) with exceptional wildlife viewing.
Tip: Are you a first-time visitor then we highly recommend to visit the Northern Pantanal. It has a better infrastructure and a much higher likelihood of jaguar sightings.
To reach the Northern Pantanal, you will need to fly to the Marechal Rondon International Airport in Cuiaba. The best option is to transfer via Brasilia, Sao Paulo, or Rio de Janeiro during your international flight before taking a domestic flight to Cuiaba.
From Cuiaba it takes approximately a 1.5-hour drive to the city of Poconé. Poconé serves as your gateway to the wonders of the Pantanal. During your drive to Pantanal, you’ll transition from a paved road to the Transpantaneira dirt road. On your way to Porto Jofre, you’ll cover a distance of 147 kilometers and cross over 122 wooden bridges. Since 2018, the government has started to replace some of these wooden bridges with concrete ones.
Tip: The Transpantaneira Highway is not just a transportation route but a unique eco-tourism attraction. It allows visitors to experience the Pantanal’s incredible wildlife and landscapes up close, making it one of the best places in the world for nature enthusiasts and photographers.
Azul and GOL are the top airlines you should consider. Opting for GOL will allow you to enjoy mileage benefits thanks to their extensive network of international partners. Rest assured that all airlines operating from Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, and Brasilia offer daily flights to Cuiaba.
It is possible as well to fly to Porto Jofre directly from Cuiaba, saving time when your final destination is Porto Jofre. The flight time is about 1 hour and you are able to enjoy a scenic areal view on the Pantanal. At Porto Jofre there are currently two lodges that have an airstrip, Santa Rosa lodge and Hotel Norte.
The dry season starting from June until November is the best time to visit. Due to the high temperatures the wildlife is attracted to the river and waterholes. It makes it much easier to spot the wildlife, hence better photographic opportunities!
Some other things to consider when planning your trip to the Pantanal:
Tip: Most lodges close down for the season from November 10th.
Vaccinations are not mandatory for visiting the Pantanal, but some are highly recommended to ensure a safe and healthy trip. It is recommended to get vaccinations against:
If your stay in Brazil exceeds three months, safeguarding yourself against rabies and Hepatitis B becomes crucial.
Prior to your trip, consulting with your doctor is essential as they can offer expert advice on the appropriate vaccinations needed for your travels.
It is also good to know that there is no risk of malaria in the Pantanal. This means you will not need to take medication for malaria. You should still talk to your doctor about any medications you may need prior to your trip.
There are multiple tour operators you can choose from. It depends your objective, expectations and budget which one to choose.
At Jaguars of the Pantanal we focus primarily on photographers and our tours are designed as such. We pride ourselves to work with very experience guides and boat drivers to ensure knowledge to share with our clients and to position our clients for the best photographic opportunities possible. As well as contributing actively to conservation and jaguar research projects.
Some of the planned Pantanal tours in 2025:
Tip: Would you like a private tour? No problem: we also offer customized tours tailored to your preferences and travel dates. Contact us to discuss the options and your needs.
Want to go even further? Extend your Pantanal tours with a trip to the Amazon forest and capture one of the most beautiful eagles of the planet: the Harpy Eagle. In the unique Harpy Eagle Photography Tour you get access to an observation tower at just 30 meter away from the eagle’s nest which gives you the possibility to photograph their behavior, including the feeding of the chicks with large prey.
In the Northern Pantanal there is a wide range of accommodations available, including lodges, pousadas (small, family-owned guesthouses) and hotels. Most accommodations are found along the Transpantaneira Highway.
During our Pantanal tours we book the best Pantanal lodges for your visit.
Most hotels in Pantanal offer the option to pay by card. However, we strongly advice to bring some cash with you to pay for drinks, laundry and gratuities, just in case WiFi is not working. Upon arrival in Cuiaba we can support by driving you to a bank to withdrawal cash before we set off to the remote Pantanal area.
1 – Book well in advance. The Pantanal is a popular destination and the limited number of lodges as well as experienced guides are booked fast.
2 – Understand what is included/excluded in the tour as well as the group size. The group size can vary hugely between tour operators. We from jaguars of the Pantanal set a limited per group of maximum 6 guests to ensure plenty of space in car, boat for you and your camera gear
3 – Prepare for your travel, ensure you have all required documents and items ready. Read our blog “Pantanal travel tips” for further information and subscribe to our newsletter to receive our Pantanal travel checklist.
4- Check if you have a bi-lingual guide for good communication and to learn interesting facts and insights about the Pantanal
5 – When booking a jaguar tour ensure that the boat has a canopy. The high temperatures and constant sun can be very challenging without any protection.
6 – Wear light, breathable, long-sleeve clothes to protect against mosquitoes. Neutral colors like khaki are best for wildlife viewing.
7 – Bring useful equipments such as a good hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, and sturdy footwear for walking.
8 – Keep a safe distance from animals. Never approach or disturb them, especially not the big cats like jaguars.
9 – Be respectful of the local culture and indigenous populations. Many areas have sustainable tourism practices that support local communities.
10 – Last but not least: don’t forget your camera! With a zoom lens you can get great close-ups of the beautiful Pantanal animals. Also: don’t forget extra memory cards and batteries. (read also: Camera gear for Pantanal)
Safe travels!
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