green trees beside body of water during daytime

The Pantanal

Go to the Pantanal to watch jaguars, caimans and birds from boats and jeeps across one of the largest wetlands on Earth.

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The Pantanal is a seasonal wetland in western Brazil, spread mostly across the states of Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul and reaching into Bolivia and Paraguay. Rain floods the flat plain each year, and the water level rises and falls through the seasons. That cycle decides where animals gather and how you travel, by boat, jeep or on foot, across land that can look very different from one month to the next.

Most visitors come for wildlife. From roughly May to October, the dry season, water pulls back to rivers and lagoons, and jaguars, caimans, capybaras, giant otters and many bird species are easier to spot from a boat or a guided vehicle. From November to March, the wet season, roads and trails flood and access to some areas becomes harder, but many bird species stay. Most trips center on a fazenda or wildlife lodge with guided outings, and three to four nights lets you see more than one habitat.

The Pantanal in five

Book a lodge or guided trip before you flyMost wildlife is reached by boat or jeep with a local guide, and many lodges sit beyond mobile signal. Get beds and transfers from Cuiabá or Campo Grande confirmed in writing before you fly.Where to stay
Fly into Cuiabá or Campo Grande for the wetlandCuiabá's airport serves the northern Pantanal and Campo Grande's serves the south. Ask your lodge which airport it transfers from, because the last stretch can be a dirt road.Getting around
Carry reais in cash for lodges and village shopsRemote lodges and village shops may take only cash, and card machines can fail. Bring small notes for tips, drinks and souvenirs.Money and costs
Set up an eSIM and download offline mapsMobile signal drops along the Transpantaneira and inside many lodge grounds, so get data before you leave the city. Save maps and tour details offline, and check that your eSIM covers Brazil.Phones and eSIM
Pack repellent and long sleevesMosquitoes are common in the wetland and dengue is a risk, so use repellent and wear long sleeves. Ask a travel clinic about vaccines for the region before you go.

Things to do in The Pantanal

See all attractions in The Pantanal

Beach · The PantanalMole Beach

Museum · The PantanalSanta Catarina Art Museum

Beach · The PantanalJoaquina BeachDrive in early. Traffic through the Lagoa da Conceição area is usually heavy later in the day.

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to The PantanalPut the places you like in The Pantanal on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Currency: Real (BRL)
Entry: Visa-free for many passports; some need an e-visa before flying
Emergency: 190 police, 192 ambulance, 193 fire
Tipping: 10% service often added to restaurant bills; otherwise optional
Time: UTC-4, no daylight saving

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryRain21 rainy daysHigh28°Low22°Rains, flooded roads
FebruaryRain17 rainy daysHigh28°Low22°Rains, high water
MarchRain20 rainy daysHigh27°Low22°Water rising
AprilRain14 rainy daysHigh25°Low20°Floods receding
MayPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh22°Low17°Dry season begins
JunePartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh21°Low15°Wildlife near water
JulyPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh20°Low14°Peak dry season
AugustPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh20°Low14°Dry, hot, sightings
SeptemberRain12 rainy daysHigh22°Low16°Dry, fire risk
OctoberRain18 rainy daysHigh23°Low18°Hot, late dry
NovemberRain16 rainy daysHigh24°Low19°Heat, first rains
DecemberRain17 rainy daysHigh26°Low21°Rains and mosquitoes

Average daily high and low in Cuiabá, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in The Pantanal

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 25°
Humidity: 79%
Wind: 16 km/h
Chance of rain: 69%

Santa Catarina

05:43 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT-3

Today26°21°69%Monday: Drizzle. High 26°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 69%.
Tue26°20°33%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 26°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 33%.
Wed27°20°79%Wednesday: Thunderstorms. High 27°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 79%.
Thu25°19°67%Thursday: Thunderstorms. High 25°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 67%.
Fri26°18°38%Friday: Cloudy. High 26°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 38%.
Sat31°17°55%Saturday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 55%.
Sun23°15°22%Sunday: Clear. High 23°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 22%.

Updated 03:11 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 5.437 BRL

Amount

Converted to

BRL · Brazilian Real

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Cuiabáabout 1.5 hours by road to PoconéAirport, markets and the old center for a night before the wetland.
Corumbáabout 5 hours by road from Campo GrandeA river town on the Paraguay with boat trips and a border view.
Bonitoabout 4 hours by road from Campo GrandeClear rivers, caves and snorkeling in a separate ecotourism region.

Before you go to The Pantanal

eSIM for the PantanalSignal gaps on the TranspantaneiraRead the guide

Travel insurance for the PantanalCover for remote evacuation and delaysRead the guide

Money and cardsCash for lodges and village shopsRead the guide

Where to stayLodges, fazendas and town basesRead the guide

Rules for The Pantanal, checked

Check whether you need a visa or e-visa for Brazil on the official government portal before you fly.Source
Declare fresh food, plants and animal products to Brazilian customs on arrival; the rules are set by Receita Federal.
Follow the guide's rules at wildlife sightings: no feeding animals, and stay in the boat or vehicle where you are told to.
Check fishing license and catch rules with your lodge before you cast a line, as they depend on the area and season.
Ask small charter planes and boat operators for their baggage weight limit before you pack.

Plan around The Pantanal

Where to stay

Lodges, fazendas and river-town bases, compared

Read the guide Getting around

Road and flight options from Cuiabá and Campo Grande

Read the guide Money and costs

Cash, cards and typical prices for a trip

Read the guide Visas and entry

Who needs a visa and where to check

Read the guide Phones and eSIM

Signal gaps, data plans and offline maps

Read the guide Tours and tickets

Boat and jeep trips booked before you go

Read the guide

The Pantanal FAQ

Is the Pantanal worth visiting?

Yes if wildlife is the goal: capybara, caiman, giant anteater and hyacinth macaw are seen from boats and jeep tracks. It suits city sightseeing or beach trips poorly.

When is the best time to see jaguars in the Pantanal?

Most visitors see jaguars from June to October, when the water drops and animals gather along the rivers. The wet months flood roads and make many lodges hard to reach.

Can you visit the Pantanal without a tour?

Only in part. Much of the wetland is private land reached through lodges, and the best wildlife is found with a local guide on a boat or jeep. Some drivers take the Transpantaneira road alone, but a local guide knows where to look.

How many days do you need in the Pantanal?

Three or four nights for a first trip, with a full day on the water and a full day on a jeep track. Two nights leaves little room if the weather disrupts outings.

Is Bonito part of the Pantanal?

No. Bonito is a separate ecotourism town in Mato Grosso do Sul, known for clear rivers and snorkeling. Some travelers add it to a southern Pantanal trip, but book the transfers in advance.

Is the Pantanal safe for visitors?

The main risks are heat, sun, mosquitoes and long drives on dirt roads. Ask the lodge about snakes and insects, and carry a basic first-aid kit and any prescription medicines.