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It is crucial to come prepared when visiting the Pantanal, Brazil. This will guarantee a pleasant and stress-free trip. To assist you in your journey, we have listed our Pantanal travel tips for you.
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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.
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 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.
June and beginning of July are normally not yet that busy when it comes to tourists compared to August – October. The months of September and October are the driest months and as well the hottest. Temperatures can reach up to 45 Celsius at times.
Most lodges close down for the season from November 10th.
The wet season (November – May) is less good for wildlife viewing, however the Pantanal is very green and most of the land covered by water. Even parts of the Transpantaneira road can be flooded.
The month of August is the time that the Piuva tree blossoms. For around 10-15 days the blossom is intense pink, a beautiful sight!
August is as well the month that the Pantanal is home to many migratory birds as well. For birders the best time for spotting bird species.
When visiting the Pantanal, vaccination requirements are minimal except for Yellow fever which is strongly advised. Additionally, it is recommended to receive vaccinations for Hepatitis A and DTP. 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.
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.
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.
June – November is the best time to visit for wildlife.
June – November during the dry-season is the best time to see jaguars in the Pantanal.
The Pantanal is located in the center Western part of Brazil. Most people travel via São Paulo to the city of Cuiabá, Mato Grosso to start their Pantanal tour or safari.
The Pantanal offer an abundance of wildlife that can be seen. Most popular for the many jaguars and as well species such as the Giant anteater, Giant river otter, Tapir, Hyacinth Macaw, and the ocelot to name a few. It is a breathtaking location and many people visit more than once.
Some of the most popular lodges are Piuval lodge, Santa Tereza lodge, Santa Rosa, Hotel Norte and Pouso Alegre.
However, there are multiple other lodges which offer good service and wildlife seeing options as well. Find the detailed list of lodges here: Pantanal lodges
The Pantanal is all about exploring nature and its fabulous wildlife. Most people visit for safari, meaning full days exploring by boat or car in search of wildlife.
However, horseback riding and relaxing alongside a pool are available options as well.
From São Paulo take a domestic flight to the city of Cuiabá, Mato Grosso. The flight time is approx. 2h15m
November can still be a great month to visit. Very few people, still great chance on wildlife just a higher risk of changing weather (rain). Read my blog on my last November visit: November jaguar report
Hotel Norte is a lodge located next to the Cuiaba river in Porto Jofre. It offers great rooms, buffet style restaurant and located at the starting point for jaguar safaris by boat
There are multiple tour operators you can choose from. It depends your objective, expectations and budget which one to choose.
We from jaguars of the Pantanal 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
Reach out to us via e-mail or Whatsapp and we can advice and provide additional information.
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