\n\n
The Amazon Journey: Starting from Manaus
Exploring the Amazon rainforest often begins in Manaus. Within the city, landmarks like the Teatro Amazonas, opened in 1896, and the Adolpho Lisboa Market are usually part of the initial tours before heading into the jungle.
The rainforest immersion happens in jungle lodges or floating structures, such as the Uiara Amazon Lodge. The schedule at these bases typically includes canoe trips on Salvador Lake and observing the Meeting of Waters, where the Negro and Solimões rivers converge.
Guided activities lead to places like the Janauari Ecological Park, home to giant water lilies (vitórias-régias) and the Samaúma tree, which can reach heights of 70 meters. A simulated fishing experience for pirarucu, one of the world’s largest freshwater fish, is also part of the local experience.
Pantanal and Bonito via Campo Grande
For the Pantanal, the main gateway is Campo Grande, from where travelers depart to municipalities like Aquidauana. The region, spanning approximately 150,000 km², is one of the largest continuous wetlands on the planet.
Lodges like Pousada Aguapé organize visits with activities including photographic safaris in 4×4 vehicles, horseback riding, and boat trips on the Aquidauana River. According to environmental agencies, the local biodiversity includes 698 bird species and 80 mammal species.
Many itineraries through the Pantanal of Mato Grosso do Sul include an extension to the Bonito and Jardim region. The area is renowned for its river snorkeling activities and visits to geological formations.
Activities in Bonito and Jardim
In this region, one of the main attractions is the Gruta do Lago Azul (Blue Lake Grotto), a cave featuring an 80-meter-deep underground lake. Access to the cave’s interior is via a staircase with about 300 steps.
Snorkeling in crystal-clear rivers is the region’s central activity. At the Recanto Ecológico Rio da Prata, for instance, a 2.5-kilometer route along the Olho d’Água and Prata rivers allows for the observation of underwater fauna and flora.
Near Bonito, in the municipality of Jardim, lies the Buraco das Araras, a sinkhole 100 meters deep and 500 meters in circumference. The site serves as a birdwatching spot, especially for red-and-green macaws.