Bonito is one of my favorite ecotourism destinations in Brazil . It has a top-notch tourism infrastructure, and the name itself is a big hint of what you'll find there — "Bonito" means "beautiful" in Portuguese. Nature has truly been generous in Bonito.
On this blog, you'll find plenty of information about Bonito, including general tips on when to go, how to get there, how to organize your tours, and the million-dollar question for any parent: ""At what age should we take our kids to Bonito?" plus, much more.
Important: All tours in Bonito take place in rural areas, are spread out from each other, must be done with a guide, and should be booked in advance, as I explain in this post.
In this post, I’ll detail each tour we did in Bonito over 4 days, which I believe is the minimum time needed to fully enjoy the area. Could you experience Bonito in 3 days? Yes, of course! In two days? Yes, if you plan and organize everything meticulously and are okay with skipping some amazing tours.
We visited Bonito during Carnival holiday — actually, I’ve been to Bonito twice during Carnival: once before the kids were born and once with them now that they are older. Although February isn’t the most recommended time of year to visit Bonito, both times the weather was excellent, and we had an amazing time there.
The tours are listed below in the order we did them — it’s impossible for me to rank them from best to worst because all the activities are fantastic . With one exception (which I’ll explain later), I would do them all again.
All our posts about traveling in Brazil, be sure to check them out before planing a trip to my home country:
- Brazilian Amazon - How to visit the Amazon Rainforest
- What to do in Alter do Chão: Exploring amazonian beaches and rainforests in Brazil
- What to do in Chapada dos Guimaraes, Mato Grosso
- The best tours to do in Bonito, Brazil, in 4 days
- Ultimate Guide to Bonito: Exploring the Southern Brazilian Pantanal's Hidden Paradise
- Bonito, Brazil with kids: When is the right age to visit?
- Complete guide to visiting Lençóis Maranhenses: Tips and essential itinerary
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Itinerary Overview for 4 Days in Bonito:
Day 1: Snorkeling at Rio da Prata & Buraco das Araras
Day 2: Gruta do Lago Azul (Blue Lake Grotto) & Eco Park Porto da Ilha with a boat ride on the Formoso River
Day 3: São Miguel Caves & snorkeling at Rio Sucuri
Day 4: Adventure trail at Boca da Onça
The order of the tours can be changed however works best for you.
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Snorkeling at Rio da Prata (Recanto Ecológico Rio da Prata)
If I had to choose just one tour to do in Bonito, it would be this one . It’s one of the more expensive options, but believe me, it’s worth every penny.
Imagine floating down a river of crystal-clear, calm water, surrounded by countless fish, all while passing through the beautiful cerrado vegetation. You can just relax and enjoy nature without worrying about anything because, at the end of the tour, a delicious homemade lunch awaits you, complete with the best dulce de leche you can imagine. Not to mention the excellent facilities, knowledgeable and attentive guides, strong focus on sustainability, and all the comfort you’d expect from a typical Brazilian farm.
In my humble opinion, this is one of the most amazing ecotourism experiences in Brazil.
We arrived at the farm headquarters, and our guide promptly called us for a briefing and helped us put on the neoprene gear (including booties, all provided by the tour and included in the price). After a quick visit to the farm’s vegetable garden, we took a ride on an adapted truck to the trailhead.
The tour began with a 30-minute walk through the riparian forest, with a stop at a scenic spot to take in the view and snap some photos.
We then arrived at the Rio Olho D’água springs, a massive natural pool of crystal-clear water where you can see the water bubbling up from the ground. It was time to put on our masks and snorkels and float downstream in this immense natural aquarium, gliding through clear waters filled with fish and underwater plants for about 2 km, a true spectacle.
About three-quarters of the way down, Rio Olho D’água merges with Rio da Prata. If you prefer, you can continue by boat from here, but of course, we kept floating. The water in Rio da Prata is colder, the river is deeper, and visibility is slightly lower, but it’s still well worth continuing the float.
At the end of the tour, there’s a deck where you can take a leap into the river. From there, the truck picked us up and brought us back to the farm headquarters. We completed the tour, including lunch , in about 5 hours.
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Buraco das Araras (Macaw Hole)
In my opinion, Buraco das Araras is one of the most fascinating tours in Bonito.
It is also one of the easiest in terms of physical exertion: the trail to the Buraco is completely flat and well-maintained, and the entire route is less than 1 km.
This trail leads you to the edge of a massive hole in the ground, with a diameter of 500 meters and a depth of 127 meters .
Technically called a doline, this hole was formed by the collapse of limestone soil and now provides an ideal habitat for macaws, which find the perfect conditions to nest there.
About 60 pairs of red-and-green macaws live in the area. Our guide told us that at one point, three Blue-and-yellow macaws arrived at the hole. Two of them soon left, but one stayed, pairing up with a red-and-green macaw (red-and-green macaws: Ara chloropterus, and blue-and-yellow macaws: Ara ararauna, are different species). Interestingly, in other places, like the Parque das Aves (Bird Park) in Foz do Iguaçu, such pairings have been observed, resulting in hybrid offspring with an orange hue. However, not much information is available about these hybrids yet.
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At the bottom of the hole is a unique ecosystem, home to a yellow-bellied caiman, an anaconda, and a howler monkey, along with other small animals . The carnivores feed on animals that fall into the hole and birds that fly too low, while the monkey seems to hang out there, sometimes climbing trees to leave the area, but always ends up returning.
Our guide also shared the curious history of the hole, which I found fascinating. Officially “discovered” in 1912, the hole was used for many years as a dumping ground for trash and human bodies. In the 1970s, the first military expedition rappelled to the bottom and removed 3 tons of garbage and the remains of 23 human skeletons. There’s also the carcass of a car under the trees, and it’s estimated that there are bodies from the Paraguayan War (1864-1870) and fossils from the last Ice Age down there.
Today, Buraco das Araras is a Private Natural Heritage Reserve (RPPN), protected and accessible only with local guides.
The complete guided tour takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes, and I recommend doing it on the same day as the Rio da Prata tour due to the proximity of the two locations.
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Gruta do Lago Azul (Blue Lake Grotto)
The Gruta do Lago Azul (Blue Lake Cave) is the postcard image of Bonito — truly unmissable.
It is a contemplative walk, which begins with a gentle walk to the entrance of the cave, followed by a descent of approximately 200m down a staircase embedded between the ravine and the rocks.
As you make your way down, what initially seems like an ordinary cave with a dark, unremarkable lake at the bottom transforms into one of the most iconic sights in Brazil. It’s impossible not to be mesmerized by the gradient turquoise blue of the lake, framed by rock formations sculpted by water over thousands of years, creating various speleothems (stalactites, stalagmites, curtains, columns, etc.).
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Our guide explained that the lake's water is crystal clear, and the stunning blue hues are the result of sunlight filtering through. Even on cloudy days (like the one we experienced), the beautiful blue hue is still visible, and there's no specific time that’s better or worse to visit. Whenever you go, the spectacle will be there to admire..
Blue Lake Grotto has a 40-meter diameter opening, and the lake is 90 meters deep. It’s home to a species of blind albino crustacean about 9 mm long and contains fossils of animals from the last Ice Age (Pleistocene period, between 1.8 million and 11,000 years ago), including the giant sloth and the saber-toothed tiger.
The passeio guiado of the Blue Lake Cave took about 1 hour and 30 minutes.
How about researching your accommodation in Bonito? We stayed at Pousada Olho d'Água and loved it — check availability and rates in this box:!
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Ecopark Porto da Ilha and Boat Ride on the Formoso River
When I first visited Bonito in the early 2000s (yes, it’s been a while 😅), this place only offered a boat ride and a small restaurant. Today, Eco Park Porto da Ilha has expanded into a complex with a variety of activities: river tubing, duck tours, stand-up paddleboarding, a natural pool with a waterfall and deck, and facilities including a restaurant, bar, changing rooms, and more.
The boat ride we took remains the main attraction. About 10 boats, each carrying 12 people, travel 5 km down the Formoso River, passing through three small waterfalls and one rapid. It’s a relaxing and fun ride, with the excitement coming from splashing water between boats.This ride is suitable for all ages. We even spotted an anaconda just a few meters from our boat.
Bringing cell phones or cameras on the ride isn’t allowed — only GoPro cameras on chest or head mounts are permitted. There are photographers along the route, and you can purchase the photos afterward, though we didn’t think it was worth it.
Although it was one of the kids' favorite activities, I wouldn’t consider it a must-do (even though I did this ride both times I visited Bonito). The location, despite its good facilities, felt different from the other places we visited due to the larger crowds and some confusion when organizing the tour — which is understandable given that about 120 people depart at the same time (while the other tours usually have a maximum of 10 or 20 people in each group).
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Grutas de São Miguel (São Miguel Caves)
The São Miguel Cave is a dry cave featuring stunning geological formations such as stalactites, stalagmites, columns, travertines, and coralloids, all beautifully highlighted by strategic lighting. Walking through the cave feels like stepping into a fantasy world.
I found this to be a pleasant and peaceful tour. It begins with a 200-meter walk along suspended bridges through the cerrado forest, followed by an easy, flat trail for a few more meters. Our guide paused to let us glimpse the cave from the outside through an entrance that isn't open to visitors before we proceeded to the main entrance.
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After descending a few steps, we walked 160 meters through the cave, marveling at the breathtaking geological formations, with plenty of opportunities for photos. On the way out, we even spotted some bats that call the cave home.
Surprisingly, the kids enjoyed São Miguel Cave more than the Blue Lake Cave, likely because here you can walk among the formations (of course, while staying on designated paths and not touching anything).
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Snorkeling at the Sucuri River Springs
The Sucuri River is considered one of the clearest rivers in the world and has been featured in soap operas and various TV shows. Once you get there, you'll see that its reputation is well-deserved.
The tour follows a similar process to the snorkeling experience at Rio da Prata. After putting on a neoprene suit and grabbing a mask and snorkel, a 4WD vehicle took us to the beginning of an easy 500-meter trail through the riparian forest, with stops along the way at scenic spots for photos.
We floated 1800 meters along the crystal-clear waters of the Sucuri River , surrounded by countless fish and a stunning underwater landscape. We also spotted capuchin monkeys playing in the trees along the river and saw two otters near the end of the float.
The tour includes a support boat throughout the course, but we happily let the current carry us along, floating until the very last permitted meter.
If you're only planning to do one snorkeling tour, it would be difficult to choose between Rio Sucuri and the Rio da Prata . Both are incredibly beautiful and well-structured. At Rio da Prata, we saw a greater variety of fish, more springs, and loved the diving spot at the end of the route, but the Sucuri River captured my heart with its stunning vegetation and unbelievably clear water.
There's a restaurant on-site (if I recall correctly, it's à la carte — we didn't eat there as we did the tour in the afternoon and had lunch in town).
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Boca da Onça Ecotur
Boca da Onça Ecotour is a complex offering various activities, primarily focused on trails and rappelling.
We opted for the Adventure Trail , a 4 km walk through preserved forest, passing by ten waterfalls and five natural pools where you can swim. The Monkey Hole Waterfall is particularly stunning — I recommend using the life jacket (available at no extra cost) to enjoy a stress-free swim under the waterfall.
The trail culminates at Boca da Onça Waterfall, the tallest in Mato Grosso do Sul State, standing at 156 meters. This waterfall is truly the highlight of the tour, and it’s absolutely spectacular! Take the chance to enjoy a refreshing dip in its pool before tackling the 886 steps (yes, eight hundred and eighty-six steps) that lead to the top of the cliff. At the top, you'll find the rappelling platform and breathtaking views of the valley, before heading to the truck for your return to the visitor center.
For those who prefer not to climb the endless steps, there's an option to exit halfway and take the truck, though you’ll miss the last two waterfalls. Even with a bad knee, I faced the stairs, and I have to say, I don’t regret it.
At the visitor center, a delicious breakfast and lunch were served (both were included in our tour).
We did this tour on our last morning in Bonito. We left our hotel, Pousada Olho d'Água , at 7 a.m., went to Boca da Onça , and then headed straight to Campo Grande, where we stayed at the Aeroporto Plaza Hotel — a very simple yet fair hotel located right in front of Campo Grande airport. It’s perfect for those who, like us, just need a clean and comfortable place to sleep before catching an early flight the next day.
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Other tours in Bonito
Bonito offers more than 90 tours, and even with more time, it’s impossible to do them all. Based on recommendations from friends and conversations with others on our tours, I’ve compiled a list of what I plan to do next time I visit Bonito:
Abismo Anhumas: Said to be the most spectacular tour in Bonito. We skipped it this time because I thought our kids (11 and 12 years old at the time) wouldn’t be physically capable, but I was wrong — a friend of my daughter went and loved it!
Salobra River Canyons - Eco Serrana Park : Due to a lack of information, I didn’t include this tour in our itinerary, but once we arrived, we realized it must be sensational.
Lagoa Misteriosa (Mysterious Lagoon) : A sinkhole filled with water, offering snorkeling and incredible views. It’s open for visitation from April to October; during the rest of the year, visibility conditions aren’t favorable.
Rio do Peixe: A walk through the forest with waterfalls and natural pools, great for all ages.
Other shorter snorkeling tours include Nascente Azul and the Aquário Natural (both have additional attractions on-site).
Additionally, there are several leisure day-use river-clubs in the region (Eco Park Porto da Ilha is considered one of them), such as Nascente Azul, Jardim Ecopark, Praia da Figueira, Refúgio da Barra, Estrela do Formoso, and others, all offering attractions for all ages. Bio Park is a wildlife shelter and a sanctuary for rescued animals that cannot be reintroduced into the wild.
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Where to stay in Bonito and Campo Grande
During our days in Bonito, we stayed at Pousada Olho d'água, and I can recommend it without hesitation. It’s one of the most charming guesthouses in Bonito, offering excellent service and a delicious breakfast.
In Campo Grande, we chose the Aeroporto Plaza Hotel. A very simple and fair hotel, exactly in front of the airport. It was perfect for us, as we just needed a place to rest, after four days exploring Bonito, so we could sleep and catch our flight early the next day. If your flight arrives at night in Campo Grande, I recommend sleeping at the hotel and leaving for Bonito the next day, to avoid driving late at night on (albeit good) single-lane roads.
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Map of what to do in Bonito, Brazil, in four days
Click on the map below to see all the tours we did, along with the accommodations and restaurants we recommend.
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How to use this map: Simply click on the tab located in the upper left-hand corner of the map to access various layers, including points of interest and driving routes. You can toggle the visibility of layers by clicking on the check marks. For additional details about specific points of interest, click on the corresponding icons on the map.
To save this map to your Google Maps account, click on the star icon next to the map title. To access it on your phone or computer, open Google Maps, tap on the menu button, go to "Your Places," select "Maps," and you’ll find this map listed among your saved maps.
In this post, I explain how I use Google MyMaps to plan my tripsns. It’s an amazing tool for saving locations, calculating routes and distances, and organizing your entire journey. I highly recommend giving it a try!
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All our posts about traveling in Brazil, be sure to check them out before planing a trip to my home country:
- Brazilian Amazon - How to visit the Amazon Rainforest
- What to do in Alter do Chão: Exploring amazonian beaches and rainforests in Brazil
- What to do in Chapada dos Guimaraes, Mato Grosso
- The best tours to do in Bonito, Brazil, in 4 days
- Ultimate Guide to Bonito: Exploring the Southern Brazilian Pantanal's Hidden Paradise
- Bonito, Brazil with kids: When is the right age to visit?
- Complete guide to visiting Lençóis Maranhenses: Tips and essential itinerary
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And here our posts about travel in other countries in Central and South America:
- What to do in 3 days in Bogotá
- What to do in Cartagena de Indias – Colombia
- How to visit Tayrona National Park – the most beautiful beaches in mainland Colombia
- The best of Colombia – 12-day itinerary
- Guatemala – 10-day itinerary
- El Calafate and Perito Moreno Glacier - the best of Argentinan Patagonia
- Torres del Paine photographic expedition - Chilean Patagonia
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