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Destinations - Bonito
The town of Bonito is
located on the southwestern corner of the State of Mato Grosso do
Sul and can be visited at any time of the year. However, experienced
travellers advise: the ideal time is between December and March –
the rainy season. During that season, local vegetation is green,
animals come out from their hideouts – since there is plenty of food
to be taken - river water levels are high and waterfalls are
gorgeous. Between May and August the local fields are dry, there is
constant burning for pasture and local fauna runs away looking for
better hideaways.
Visitors arriving at Bonito soon realize that: the word “bonito”
(“beautiful”) is not enough to describe the wonders created by
nature in that region. This humble town, lost in the heartlands of
Mato Grosso do Sul, surprises everyone with its rivers of
crystalline waters and plentiful fish, grottos and waterfalls, which
attract tourists from the world over.
The great concentration of lime in the soil around the area where
Bonito is located is responsible for the transparency of the waters
and for the existence of a wide variety of geological formations.
And the best way to appreciate local natural beauties is by going on
an adventure tour. The most indicated activities include diving in
caverns, observing the underwater fauna and walking along trails in
the forest. Places like Grutas do Lago Azul (Blue Lake Grottos) and
the Mimoso Grotto, the Natural Aquarium, and the rivers Sucuri,
Peixe, Formoso and Prata, are the most indicated.
There are a great number of grottos with underground, deep lagoons
which experienced divers may wish to explore. It was here, in Lagoa
Misteriosa (Mysterious Lake), that diver Gilberto Menezes de
Oliveira reached the depth of 121 metres, the deepest underwater
dive ever recorded in Brazilian caverns. Some agencies offer dives
going no deeper than 20 meters without risks for amateur divers, in
the Mimoso Grotto. But pay attention, cave diving is indicated only
for those who have sound experience and adequate equipment.
Bonito is a model-town in terms of tourism organisation. It has
adopted a system of visitations with the purpose of preserving the
local natural environment. Therefore, tourists may only visit
rivers, lakes, caverns and forests – the majority of which are
located inside private properties – if accompanied by guides
accredited by local agencies. To avoid negative impacts on nature, a
limit has been set for the number of tourists per day who may visit
each attraction. And nature is thankful for this. Come and visit
Bonito, deep in the very heartlands of Brazil, and appreciate its
natural beauties. Those who come here just love it.
- Basic information
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Bonito’s weather
is humid and tropical. It is hot and rainy between October and
March. But between June and August, the weather is dry and cold,
and temperatures may drop below 10º C. Annual average
temperature is 22º C.
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- Events
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Bonito’s Winter
Festival
The Festival is held every year for a week during July, with
music performances and ecological videos, theatre, folklore and
fine arts exhibitions. For more information, call +55 (67)
325-0082.
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- City facts
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Bonito
State: Mato Grosso do Sul
Region: Central-west
Population: 16.827 inhabitants
Area code: (67)
Distances
Campo Grande: 280 km
Sao Paulo: 1.170 km
Rio de Janeiro: 1.600 km
Brasilia: 1.470 km
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- Accommodation /
Restaurants
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Bonito offers good
infrastructure in terms of lodging and restaurants. There are a
great number of inns and hotels, with different levels of
comfort. It also offers camping fields and hostels.
The town’s restaurants serve a wide range of local specialties.
But the local specialties are the dishes made from river fish,
such as the “pintado” and the “pacu” – fried or in a stew.
- How to get there
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By plane:
daily domestic flights take visitors to the Airport of Campo
Grande, the State capital. At the airport, visitors can contact
car rental and local small aircraft-rental companies.
By Coach/Car: for visitors coming by car from Campo
Grande, the 290-km long federal highway, the BR-060, runs
through the towns of Sidrolandia, Nioaque, Guia Lopes da Laguna
and finally, Bonito. By coach, the only connection is offered by
Viaçao Cruzeiro do Sul, with daily departures from Campo Grande,
at 6 am and 3 pm.
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- Services
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Setur – Tourism
information: +55 (67) 251-1799
COMTUR (the Bonito Municipal Council for Tourism): +55 (67) 255
-2160
International Airport of Campo Grande: +55 (67) 368-6000
Bonito’s Coach Station: +55 (67) 255-1606
Bank Branches
Two national banks have branches in Bonito.
- Tips
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- Visits to the
majority of attractions in Bonito may only be made through local
tourism agencies and always require the help of an accredited
guide. Hotels provide contact with agency representatives. Since
there is maximum number of visitors allowed for every
attraction, it is highly advisable that visitors book tours in
advance.
- During summer, the region’s hot sun and heat require light
clothes, a hat and sun lotion. For trail walks, it is important
to carry a backpack, to wear antiskid sneakers or sandals, and a
raincoat.
- Visitors need not bring diving masks, snorkels and diving wear
to go on floating tours on local rivers. Rental fees for this
equipment are already included in tickets prices.
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- Attractions
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Floating
Wearing special neoprene outfits, a mask and snorkel, visitors
float on the waters of calm and crystalline rivers and, due to
the excellent visibility conditions, are able to observe the
underwater flora and fish from the Pantanal region – “piraputangas”,
“pintados”, “pacus” and “dourados”. Check on the main locations
for floating tours, below.
Natural Aquarium – Baia Bonita Ecological Park
Floating is possible along the 600-meter area near the springs
of the Baia Bonita River. Along the Animal Trail, which is also
inside the ecological reservation, it is possible to see local
specimen such as oysters, armadillos, “guara” wolfs, alligators
and anacondas.
Prata River
The tour starts with a one-hour walk along a trail inside the
native forest, which is the habitat of species like hogs,
monkeys and birds. Floating is possible over 2 km along rivers
Olho d’Agua and Prata (one of the most crystalline in the whole
region, and where there is also a great diversity of fish).
Visitors can also opt to go on a horse ride.
Bonito Adventure
It includes descending the Formoso River and exploring natural,
submerged grottos. After walking along some 2 km of forest
trail, visitors may float on the transparent waters of Formoso
River, which runs along river rapids and rocky formations.
Sucuri River (The Anaconda River)
The transparency of its calm waters, large shoals of fish,
springs and exotic plants are all just incredible. Floating on
Sucuri River happens along a 2-km stretch, with average duration
of 45 minutes. It is located on the São Geraldo Farm, where
visitors also have access to trails in the forest and horse or
bicycle tours.
Grottos / Caves
Gruta do Lago Azul (The Blue Lake Grotto)
Incredible geological formation with limestone rocks, 100 metres
in width and 70 metres in depth, full of cave themes. At the end
of the grotto there is a lagoon of transparent waters,
resembling a huge bluish mirror.
Gruta de São Miguel (The Saint Michel Grotto)
The grotto is rich in limestone formations. Access is available
through a suspended trail surrounded by native forest. Located
in the Anhumas Vale Ecological Park Natural Reserve, it is
considered one of the best attractions in Bonito.
Waterfalls
Peixe River Waterfalls
One of the most beautiful natural scenarios in Bonito.
Boca da Onça Eco Tour
It offers trails, waterfalls, the practice of “rapel” and plenty
of emotions on Bodoquena Hills.
The Aquidaba Waterfalls
It is one of the highest waterfalls in the area, and from where
visitors can view the Bodoquena Hills, located inside an
indigenous protection reserve.
Mimosa Ranch and Eco Tourism
A delicious and unforgettable adventure in ecological tourism -
respect for natural environments, interaction with nature and
regional culture.
The Waterfalls Park
A trail going through six beautiful waterfalls from where
visitors can view and photograph beautiful landscapes, and also
freshen up in a delicious bath.
Ceita Core Farm
Beauty and colour, trails and grottos, waterfalls and animals,
all these in one place.
Tours
Araras Dig
A trail along a hill’s underground path 124 meters deep, with a
diameter of 500 meters.
Vivo Project
Leisure and environmental education to demonstrate that it is
possible to ally nature conservationism, ecological tourism and
production on a regular farm.
Boating on Formoso River
The river’s descent is an "Indiana Jones"-type adventure.
Monte Cristo Resort
It offers plenty of waterfalls and a very beautiful landscape.
“Float” Cross
Thrilling adventure on Formosinho River waterfalls, with more
than seven river rapids for visitors to float down.
Formoso River Ecological Park
It offers trails in the forest along the riverbanks, surrounded
by exuberant flora including a descent along the Formoso River.
Town Resort
It offers a great variety of fish to couple with great moments
of leisure.
The Cowboy Route – “Quadricycle”
Fun and adventure on four wheels along an old cowboy trail.
Discovery Diving
It is excellent for inexperienced divers who wish to try the
sensation of diving with "scuba" equipment. It also pleases more
experienced divers since it offers a view completely different
from that of seawaters. After receiving instruction on safety,
and always in the presence of an instructor, it is possible to
dive for intervals of 30 minutes amidst the millions of bubbles
from the Formoso River’s waterfalls or alongside the fish in the
Prata River.
Baia Bonita Ecological Reserve
Snorkeling in waters deemed to be among the most transparent in
the world.
Sol Resort
A magical location on the margins of the Formoso River.
Sucuri Bar
Nature in its most beautiful state of preservation and
environmental balance.
Eno Bokoti
In Terena language, it means "plenty of waterfalls". This tour
hides many unforgettable surprises along the two thousand
meter-stretch of riverside forests on the banks of the Peixe
River.
Taruma Resort – Lomba Farm
Ecological complex with a beautiful natural pool, including a
trail leading to a charming waterfall.
Segredo Farm
For visitors who wish to enjoy an unforgettable day.
Padre Island
A great number of waterfalls and natural pools along Formoso
River.
Prata River Ecological Nook
Unforgettable dives in one of the most crystalline rivers in the
world.
Peixe River
It offers a trail in a forest full of birds, and 11 waterfalls
and natural pools of crystalline waters for floating, diving and
viewing the shoals of fish.
Adventure Tourism
The Anhumas Abyss
An opening in the ground takes us down into a vertical abyss. It
is necessary for visitors to use “rapel” techniques of to reach
the bottom of the cave, 72 meters below the surface. Down below,
there is a lake approximately 8 meters in depth, where diving
allows the viewing of limestone formations.
“Lagoa Misteriosa” (the Mysterious Lagoon)
40 km away from Bonito, in the municipality of Jardim, this Lake
thrills visitors due to its depth and transparency of its water.
During winter months – from June to September -, visibility
surpasses 40 meters. Access to this blue-water lake is fairly
difficult, however, the effort is rewarding due to the landscape
it offers to divers. Diving is allowed according to the limits
established by the certification granted to each diver. There
are also special circuits for “Cave Divers”.
Mimoso Grotto
Located 35 km away from the Bonito town centre, it is one of the
most beautiful caverns in the world for diving in, one that
requires more experience from divers. Divers must be certified,
at least, as “Overhead Divers” so they can risk exploring the
70-meter extension of the cavern, located 20 meters below the
surface. To enter the Cones Hall, named after the immense rocky
formations of up to 8 meters high found inside that “hall”,
divers need an “Intro to Cave”-type certificate. Mimoso Grotto
is considered one of the most amazing cavern-diving points in
Brazil.
Shopping
Indigenous Handcraft
Ceramic artefacts made by the Kadiweu, from the Bodoquena Hills;
necklaces and the like made with seeds,– Rua Coronel. Pilad
Rebua – tel.: +55 (67) 255-2294
Wood and bone objects
Furniture and accessories made of noble, recycled woods and
engraved with bone – Rua Duque de Caxias, 203 – tel.: +55 (67)
251-1713.
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Tour 1 -
"Snorkelling in the River Sucuri" After a short walk to the river
spring you start a fascinating snorkelling trip just floating down the river
with the soft current for 2 km. It is an unforgettable experience in the middle
of the beautiful fish and other aquatic life. The river is in the middle of the
forest. The groups snorkelling are escorted by boat. You will be using mask, snorkel,
life jacket and wet suit. Also suitable for people that don't want to snorkel (they
can go on the rowing boat to observe the river margins and see the fish through
the clear water).
Tour 2 - "Walk and waterfalls
of the
"River of the Fish" (Rio do Peixe). A light walk through
really beautiful scenery among
waterfalls and natural pools. You will be able to swim in the pools and
waterfalls, enjoying the force of the water massaging your back. Afterwards,
there is a tasty homemade lunch served on the farm and many hammocks available
for a deserved rest.
Tour 3 - "Rappel in the Anhumas Abyss"
This is considered by many as the biggest adventure trip in Brazil. It's a cave/
hole, with a small opening and a lake the size of a football field inside. To
enter it, you need to do a 72 meters rappel descent. A rappel training is necessary the day
before, so the instructors can evaluate your capacity to descent and ascent
using the techniques you will be taught. During your time in the Abyss, you will
be able to snorkel or scuba dive in
the big crystal clear lake and also go around the cave with a guide in a small
rowing boat to observe the features of this amazing place. It's a unspoiled
location, because it was discovered only in the 70's and stayed basically
untouched until nowadays thanks to the difficult access (it can be reached only
with rappel techniques). For the adventurous people only.
Tour
4 -
"Scuba Diving" . Cave diving
in the crystal clear waters of the underground lakes. Only for certified divers
holding a internationally recognised licence. Diving in the rivers is also
available. To be able to dive in some caves, you also need a specialized cave
diving course.
Tour
5 - "Horse Riding" Available in
many areas around Bonito. If interested contact us for more information.
Tour 6 - "Gruta do Lago Azul"
- Blue Lake Cave- One of
the most beautiful and well known caves in Brazil. Walk down into the cave
between the stalagmites and stalactites until you arrive at the spectacular and
mysterious blue lake. It's an obligatory visit, because of the beauty of the
lake. Swimming is not allowed. Duration: 3 hours.
Tour 7 - "Rafting and
Photo Safari in the
River Formoso" This is a boat trip where you have time to
appreciate and take pictures of the fauna and flora around the river margins. The inflatable passes
over three small waterfalls and two gentle rapids on the way down the river to
the "Island of the Father" Suitable for all ages.
Tour
8 - "Waterfall of the Panther's Mouth" Cachoeira da Boca da Onça- A
full day visiting the biggest waterfall of the state of Mato Grosso do Sul. A
light and beautiful walk through enchanted scenery, with many small waterfalls
and natural pools, in the middle of the forest. The last waterfall visited is
the Panther's Mouth, with a pool just under the fall, where you can refresh
yourself and enjoy the amazing view. Later you will have a homemade lunch in the
park center, and you will have a couple of hours to enjoy the views of the
surroundings, the swimming pool (with water and fish from the river) or just
relax in the hammocks placed in a shaded area. It's also possible to do rappel
in the same cliff.
Tour
9 - "Snorkelling in the Rio da Prata" (Silver River)- This snorkelling tour is
an amazing experience. After a short walk through the forest, with your guide
explaing about the fauna and flora, you start the snorkelling in the spring of
Olho d'Agua River. The water is incredibly clear, and it's possible to see it
rising through the river bed. For about an hour you will be floating effortless
down the river, enjoying the spectacle of the many colourfull fish swimming
around you. Upon arriving back to the farm, you will have a delicious homemade
cooked meal waiting for you.
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