The best wildlife spotting in South America
As the world’s largest wetlands area, the Pantanal, though less well-known than the Amazon, is one of South America’s premier wildlife spotting locations.
Made up of a variety of distinct terrains and ecosystems – wetlands, savannah and rainforest – this remains of the most unspoilt and abundant habitats in the world.
There are hundreds of animal species unique to the area, including 698 bird species, 80 mammals, 260 fish species and 50 reptiles.
The Pantanal is home to many endangered species including hyacinth macaws, toucans, tapir, giant anteaters, giant otters, the maned wolf, jaguar and capybara.
Highlights
Spot endangered species and unique birdlife
Head out on a night-time safari
Explore on horseback
Photograph the wild landscape
Seeing majestic jaguars in the wild is a moment that will stay with you forever – and there’s no better place to spot them than in the Pantanal, which holds the highest concentration of wildlife in South America.

Lily Bunker
Senior Travel Designer
Trip inspiration
Why book with Jacada?

Personalised design
We’ll plan your trip around your specific interests, tastes and preferences, providing helpful tips and honest advice based on first-hand knowledge of the destination.

Authentic experiences
Our expert guides and brilliant travel concierges are hand-picked to provide a genuine experience, bringing your destination to life with care and passion.

Responsible travel
Our luxury trips are designed with responsible travel principles that prioritise travel experiences that are both good for you and good for the planet.
Luxury accommodation in the Pantanal
Where to go

Amazon
An unmatched natural wilderness, its sheer scale is hard to comprehend. Brazil’s amazon is the ultimate adventure with hikes, boat trips, nature walks, bird watching and fascinating cultural encounters.
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Buzios
Buzios is a collection of sandy coves where clear blue waters lap at the glistening rocks. The town itself is bustling with many chic bars, boutiques and restaurants where it’s become known as the St Tropez of Brazil.
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Cerrado
A huge savannah region of Brazil where allusive jaguars lurk and the iconic maned wolf roams. Due to Corrado's size there's a massive range of plant and animal biodiversity that can be explored with expert naturalist guides.
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Chapada Diamantina
Chapada Diamantina is a stunning part of Brazil’s interior where table-top mountains, waterfalls, vast plains, caves and streams stretch out endlessly before you. Explore this natural playground on foot, mountain bike or horseback.
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Fernando de Noronha
One of the world's premier dive spots, Fernando de Noronha is part of a tropical archipelago 160 kilometre off Brazils coast. Crystal clear waters are home to dolphins and turtles and the white sandy beaches are beyond idyllic.
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Florianopolis
Many Brazilians and Argentineans head to the secluded beaches of Florianopolis to relax. Long white sandy stretches punctuated by little fishing villages with great surfing, windsurfing and kayaking activities.
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Ibitipoca
Ibitipoca, just half a day's drive from energetic Rio, is an area of intense natural beauty and serenity. Great for hikes, horse rides and swimming in waterfalls, there’s also lots of opportunity to join in with and learn about local rural life.
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Iguassu Falls
Brazil’s largest waterfalls thunder into the Parana river below. From Brazil, stand within the lush tropical rainforests for the best views of the 275 cascading waterfalls, stretching all the way into Argentina.
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Paraty
A picturesque town of cobbled streets and white washed buildings with bright colourful doors and shutters. Nestled into the Costa Verde it’s a wonderful place for exclusive boat trips around the many inviting coves and beaches of the area.
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Picinguaba
A beach destination that is well and truly off the beaten-track. A protected area that’s crammed with natural highlights from secluded sandy beaches to lush rainforests teeming with wildlife.
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Rio de Janeiro
Brazil’s most iconic city with one of the most famous beaches in the world on its doorstep; Copacabana. The towering sugarloaf mountain and emerald green forests and parks, coupled with a vibrant culture make Rio a city not to be missed.
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Salvador
An architecturally beautiful city with a rich history. This is one of the best places to learn about Brazil’s African culture with an expert guide. As you explore the city's old town look out for the impromptu displays of hypnotic capoeira.
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Sao Paulo
A magnificent metropolis and Brazil’s capital of commerce, known mostly as a business city. There’s much more though; a thriving art scene, gourmet restaurants, stunning hotels along with a cosmopolitan fashion and music scene.
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Trancoso
Rural beach life, relaxed and connected to local culture and stunning nature. There’s an effortless and sophisticated luxury hidden away here among village life that attracts Brazil's glamorous crowd.
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When to visit
This will depend on what you are looking to spot. However, it’s generally best during the dry season (July–September) or the transition seasons (March–June and September–November)

Wildlife spotting
June–October

Avoid the rains
July–September

Wet season
November–March
Brazil travel guides
Plan your trip to the Pantanal
Whatever you want from your adventure in the Pantanal, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.


Plan with peace of mind
When you book a trip in today’s world there’s a lot to think about. But with the right advice and expert planning, you can do it with confidence.
If you book to travel with us but your plans are impacted by circumstances you can’t control, we’ll change your reservation or cancel your booking for a full credit towards future travel.