Pantanal Travel Guide

The Pantanal is considered one of the world's largest and most diverse freshwater wetland ecosystems and is also one of Brazil's major tourist draws. Some of the large cattle farms offer accommodations and organized tours. Depending on the time of year and the guide you hire, you can expect to see a variety of different animals. There are close to 10 million Yacare Caiman present within the Pantanal and during the Dry Season every bridge crossing on the Transpantaneira is surrounded by hundreds or even thousands of Caimans basking or fighting for space in the ever dwindling lagoons. Capybara, like the Caiman, are also present in the millions and are likely to be encountered every few seconds while driving. The Pantanal is also home to a variety of birds, including the easily spotted but endangered Hyacinth Macaw. Other mammals are slightly harder to spot, but still much easier than in the Amazon. On a boat ride through the river you are likely to spot the endangered Giant River Otter and Red-bellied Piranha, the Otter's favorite meal. With the right guide and a couple of days on the river the chances of spotting a Jaguar, or perhaps even more than one, are actually very high.