The Mato, Grosso and Pantanal are recognised as the largest floodplains in the world, covering approximately 195,000 km², of which about 151,000 km² is on Brazilian territory, distributed between the states of Mato, Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul.
The remaining parts extend into areas of Bolivia and Paraguay.
The ecological uniqueness of the Pantanal makes it one of the most biodiverse biomes in the world, playing a crucial role in the environmental balance of South America.
The ecological functioning of the Pantanal is closely linked to its hydrological regime, which is characterised by an annual cycle of floods (from October to April) and droughts (from May to September).
During the rainy season, about 80% of the Pantanal area is flooded, favouring the proliferation of aquatic species and the renewal of ecosystems.
This natural cycle is essential for maintaining biodiversity and the ecological processes that sustain life in the biome.
The biological diversity of the Pantanal is remarkable, with more than 3,500 species of plants, 650 species of birds, 260 species of fish, 80 species of reptiles, 60 species of amphibians and 124 species of mammals. Among the most emblematic animals are
The ecological importance of the biome has led to it being recognised by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage Site and a Biosphere Reserve since 2000.
Ecological tourism is one of the most important economic activities in the Pantanal region.
It is based on the observation of fauna and flora, sustainable practices and the valorisation of the natural environment.
The main types of tourism are
Some of the Pantanal’s main tourist attractions include
Bonito Tourist Attractions: Unforgettable experiences Until the mid-1980s, the city of Bonito was a quiet farming town, a route for large herds of cattle. Just over a decade later, Bonito became the mecca of ecotourism in Brazil. Located between the Bodoquena Mountains and the Miranda River, 285 kilometres from the […]
The city of Miranda in Mato Grosso do Sul is a base for travellers crossing the southern Pantanal, and there are a number of farms in the region where you can spend the day, stay overnight and do some Pantanal tours. The city of Miranda is 205 kilometres from the […]
The city of Aquidauana MS is the gateway to the Pantanal, one of the most beautiful ecosystems in the world, with many tourist attractions. The city enchants with its unique scenery. The Aquidauana River gave its name to the municipality. Its origin comes from the vocabulary of the Guaicuru Indians, […]
Coxim is located in the central-western region of the state of Mato Grosso do Sul. Originally inhabited by Caiapó Indians, Coxim was known by the Indians as “Portal Monçoeiro do Pantanal”, “Capital do Peixe” and “Terra do Pé-de-cedro”. The city of Coxim is located on the northern edge of the […]
Situated on the border between Mato Grosso do Sul and Bolivia, Corumbá MS is heavily influenced by the customs and traditions of its neighbour. As well as being one of the oldest cities in the state, it is also the third most populous and important. In the old port of […]
The pleasant city of Campo Grande, capital of the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, is characterised by its urban planning, with wide tree-lined avenues. Campo Grande is almost flat, with well-kept parks and native forest reserves that contribute to the high quality of life of its 700,000 inhabitants. Campo […]
Like fishing and bird watching, the observation of land animals (especially mammals and reptiles, but also amphibians, molluscs and insects) is a great spectacle in the Pantanal – a spectacle that takes place every day, guaranteed by the extraordinary richness and diversity of the Pantanal fauna. Most ranches and agencies […]
The Pantanal is an excellent destination for those who enjoy travelling and fishing. The Pantanal region is home to several rivers and around 300 species of fish. When it comes to fish, what is striking about the Pantanal is not the variety, but the quantity. Although there are currently around […]
The fish species found in the Pantanal of Mato Grosso do Sul are not large, but the quantity of fish is. Although there are currently around 260 described species in the region – a modest number compared to the 1,800 in the Amazon – there are thousands of fish. The […]
The Pantanal in Mato Grosso is the world’s richest floodplain in terms of bird species, and a perfect place for birdwatching. Around 650 bird species have been catalogued by researchers. This diversity is all the more astonishing given that the vast expanse of the Pantanal is famous for harbouring large […]
The following list of bird species, compiled with the help of specialists, represents some of the most frequently observed species in the Pantanal of Mato Grosso. These bird species of the Mato Grosso Pantanal are identified by their common names, followed by their scientific nomenclature and identification in English. Popular […]
The flora of the Pantanal in Mato Grosso is surprising and exuberant. The Pantanal landscape is made up of fragments of different ecosystems, with an extraordinary diversity of plant species. It is an intricate mosaic of different plant formations, typical of biomes such as the Cerrado (to the east, north […]
The wildlife of Mato Grosso’s Pantanal is a harmonious universe of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and insects, unique in the world for its extraordinary and teeming beauty. Animals from different ecosystems coexist in the Pantanal – and there are few places in the world where it is so easy to […]
Discover the unique landscape of the Pantanal in Mato Grosso and its geographical, climatic, soil and river characteristics. The geography, the complex network of rivers and the vast wetlands of the Pantanal plain in Mato Grosso constitute a unique landscape on the planet, a heritage of all humanity. A biogeographical […]
Learn about the history of the Pantanal in Mato Grosso and its transformation over the centuries, from its occupation by cattle ranches to the rise of ecotourism. Far from the industrial centres, the Pantanal of Mato Grosso remained almost untouched for centuries, until its spaces were occupied by cattle ranches. […]
Pantanal Sul covers almost two-thirds of the Pantanal in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso do Sul. Pantanal Sul is an excellent starting point for those wishing to explore the Pantanal in depth – with some of the best cattle ranches in the Pantanal, the usual variety of Pantanal wildlife […]
The Pantanal in Mato Grosso is the best place in South America to see and photograph wildlife. Sure, everyone’s heard of the Amazon, but it’s hard to spot wildlife in a rainforest. It starts with a mistake. The Pantanal is not a swamp, as its name suggests. The Pantanal is […]
The Northern Pantanal covers about a third of the total area of the Pantanal. The Northern Pantanal is remarkably rich in wildlife, with some areas hosting what is believed to be the largest concentration of jaguars in the world. A drive along the Transpantaneira in the northern Pantanal is widely […]
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Bonito Tourist Attractions: Unforgettable experiences Until the mid-1980s, the city of Bonito was a quiet farming town, a route for large herds of
The city of Miranda in Mato Grosso do Sul is a base for travellers crossing the southern Pantanal, and there are a number of farms in the region
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The city of Aquidauana MS is the gateway to the Pantanal, one of the most beautiful ecosystems in the world, with many tourist attractions. The city
Coxim is located in the central-western region of the state of Mato Grosso do Sul. Originally inhabited by Caiapó Indians, Coxim was known by the
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