Bonito (Mato Grosso do Sul)

Rich in calcium carbonate, which sticks to floating particles and makes them sink, the river waters of Bonito are crystal clear, often regarded as natural aquariums.

Climate

The region has two main seasons: dry and wet.
The wet season goes from December to March and sees lush green vegetation, high rivers, abundant flow on the waterfalls, and plenty of food for wild animals. However, rain makes the river water murky and there are less fish on the rivers due to their yearly migration known locally as piracema. Intense rain might close attraction sites and make roads difficult to pass. Also, this period coincides with the local summer and temperatures easily reach 35°C. From late December to early February the sun shines directly inside the Gruta Azul, making for a postcard-grade spectacular sight.
The dry season lasts from May to August and sees the crystal-clear river waters that made Bonito famous. Temperatures drop to milder figures, with warm days and fresh nights. However, waterfalls are not as exuberant and haze from nearby farms might be a passing issue.

• Bonito AirportLATAM and Azul airlines serve the local airport, but there are only a handful of flights available every week.

The airport in Campo Grande (CGR), some 300 km away, might be a more affordable connection.
From Campo Grande, bus company Cruzeiro do Sul runs four services a day, departing the bus station at 8AM, 9AM, 1PM and 4PM (no 8AM bus on Sunday). The trip lasts about 5 hours, R$65. It's usually possible to organize a Campo Grande airport pickup through your accommodation, as the service is available even on the hostels.
From Foz do Iguaçu, in the past it was possible to take a bus to Dourados (2 buses a day, 10 hr) and then continue onwards to Bonito (2 buses a day, 6 hr), but the service on the first leg apparently was discontinued. The same can be achieved using a shortcut through Paraguay, leaving from Ciudad del Este to Pedro Juan Caballero, and then from Ponta Porã to Bonito.
From Corumbá, there's a daily bus at 02:30 p.m. operated by Cruzeiro do Sul.
Apart from buses, 15-seater-vans (e.g. by vanzellatransportes) operate between the pantanal (e.g. Passo de Lontro), Bonito and Campo Grande (e.g. R$ 100,- for the trip Buraco de Piranhas - Bonito).

Most of the attractions in and around Bonito are in private land. The entry fees and maximum number of daily visitors are set yearly by local governing bodies, and there are two types of prices: low- and high-season. The table of high season dates is published yearly, but in short it corresponds to the main Brazilian holidays, of which the most notable are:

• Summer school holidays: late December & January
• Carnival
• Holy Week
• Winter school holidays: July

All the entry tickets must be purchased through a licensed travel agency, which are linked to the main governmental system. There are reports this system goes off for the night, which makes last minute arrangements a challenge.
You need a permit to fish in the Pantanal region. The paperwork can be arranged with help of your hotel, and the fee should be paid at the local Banco do Brasil branch.

The town is small and walkable. However, most attractions are out in the countryside, usually accessible only by dirt roads. Travel agencies operate shuttle services to the attractions, but sometimes the transport fee costs as much as the entry ticket. Consider renting a car if you're not traveling alone. Otherwise, moto-taxis are available to most destinations.

• Gruta do Lago AzulA big cave ( deep) with a lake at the bottom of an incredible blue colour. Approximately from the city.

• Sucuri RiverSimilar to Rio da Prata; more beautiful landscape, less fish

• Buraco de Ararashuge sinkhole (diameter 500 meters) with some 60-70 pairs of macaws populating the sinkhole; one can also observe armadillos, anteaters and falcons.

There are nice places to do snorkeling, explore caves, ride horses, and hike. While transportation and a guide is not always necessary, those wishing to use a guide should know that not all guides speak English, or in some cases, Spanish.

• Rio da PrataSnorkel in the "Silver River". Amazing underwater landscapes and fishes.

• Rio Formoso

• Balneário MunicipalRent bikes in the town center and go with the locals to sunbathe, play volleyball and swim in a river with a lot of fish.

The central area of Bonito offers supermarkets, pharmacies and stores with articles for adventure sports.

• Agência de Turismo

  phone: +55 67 3255-4883
  address: Rua Luiz da Costa Leite, 2457

There are several places in the town centre for eating at reasonable prices. You also can try out local game such as jacaré (cayman) and fish from the local rivers.

The central area of Bonito has some nice places to relax and have a cold beer or some fresh natural juices. A recommended spot is the "Taboa" bar, in the main street, famous for its cachaça and creative drinks made out of cachaça mixed with local fruits.

Bonito is a popular destination inside Brazil, and it can be difficult to find rooms during Brazilian holidays. It is recommended to book your accommodation as soon as you are sure to go, especially if your stay includes a weekend.

Budget

• Eco Pousada Villa Verde

  phone: +55 67 3255-1818
  Saida para Bodoquena, MS-178. Double rooms: R$70/90

• Hotel Pousada Calliandra

  phone: +55 67 3255-1139
  address: Rua 29 de Maio, 799
  Centro. Double rooms: R$62-100

• Camping Rio FormosaBehind the camping there is a small track of 200 meters to the Rio Formosa, where you can snorkel if you have your own equipment, or just take a bath next to the gorgeous waterfall in the crystal clear water.

• HI Bonito

  address: Rua Lúcio Borralho, 716
  Nice hostel, you can prepare most of your excursions from here.

• Eco Pousada Villa Verde

  phone: +55 67 3255-1818
  Australian/Brazilian owners - English speaking. Tour agency in the Pousada to book your tours and transport around Bonito.

• Jubaia Lodge

• Muito Bonito Lodge

  phone: +55 67 3255-1645
  Very nice Lodge, with friendly atmosphere, close to the city center. The lodge is built around a court yard, where breakfast is offered. They are also very helpful when organizing transportation.

Mid-range

• Hotel Pousada Surucua

  phone: +55 67 3255-2337
  address: Rua Bongiovani, 860

• Hotel Pousada Bonsai

  phone: +55 67 3255-2000
  Double rooms: R$100/125

• Wetiga Hotel

  phone: +55 67 3255-1699
  Rua Cel. Pilad Rebuá, 679 Vila Donária.

• Hotel Pirá Miúna

  phone: +55 67 3255-1058

• Pousada Rancho Jarinu

  phone: +55 67 3255-2094
  r. 24 de Fevereiro- 1985, Centro.

• Hotel Lago Azul

  phone: +55 67 255-1502

• Resort Hotel Zagaia

  phone: +55 67 2551280, +55 67 255-1290
  Rodovia Bonito/Três Morros Km 0 Cx. Pos. 36.

• Hotel Fazenda Cachoeira

  phone: +55 67 255-1213

• Pousada do Grilo

  phone: +55 67 255-1174
  address: Rua Luís da Costa Leite, 2457

• Pousada do Estudante

  phone: +55 67 255-1822
  address: R. Luís da Costa Leite, Nº 2.100 - Centro

• Hotel Tapera

  phone: +55 67 255-1700
  Rod. Bonito/Guia Lopes da Laguna, Km 01.

• Hotel Paraíso Das Águas

  phone: +55 67 255-1296
  address: Av. Cel. Pílad Rebuá, Nº 1.884

• Pousada Olho D'água

  phone: +55 67 255-1430
  Rodovia Bonito/Três Morros Km 01.

• Cabana do Pescador

  phone: +55 67 241-2407
  address: Rua Bahia, 1462
  Anastácio (correspondência) - Vila Flôr - Rodovia Anastácio/Bonito Km 53.

• Gemila Palace Hotel

  phone: +55 67 255-1421
  Rua Luiz da Costa Leite, 2085 - Centro.

• Pousada Bonsai

  phone: +55 67 255-1814
  address: Rua 15 de Novembro, 564
  Centro.

• Pousada Segredo

  phone: +55 67 255-1872
  address: Rua 24 de Fevereiro, 2079
  Centro.

• Marruá Hotel

  phone: +55 67 255-1040
  address: Rua Joana Sorta, 1173
  Vila Donária.

• Água Azul Pousada Hotel

  phone: +55 67 255-1261
  address: Rua Santana do Paraíso, 554
  Centro, R$80 and R$55

• Fazenda Cachoeira

  phone: +55 67 341-4753, +55 67 9957-4655

• Campo Grande
• Corumbá
• Dourados
• Foz do Iguaçu - possible connection through Paraguay: from Bonito to Ponta Porã/Pedro Juan Caballero (5 hr), and onward to Ciudad del Este (6 hr), from where one can take a city bus to either the Brazilian or the Argentinian sides of the falls