Things to Do in Bonito, Brazil: Tours by Type of Experience
The Pantanal from Bonito: Day Trip, Overnight Stay and How to Combine Them
The Pantanal is about three hours from Bonito. The three ways to include it, what the day trip costs and when it is worth staying overnight.
Updated September 24, 2026 · Guia de Bonito editorial team
You can combine Bonito and the Pantanal wetlands in one trip in three ways: a one-day trip to a ranch in Miranda, 164 km away; 2 to 3 nights at a Pantanal lodge in the Miranda area or at Passo do Lontra; or a drive along the Estrada Parque Pantanal, a dirt road of about 120 km. The best season is May to September, and the main entry point is roughly 3 hours 20 minutes by car from Bonito.
If you have 10 days or more in Mato Grosso do Sul, the Pantanal adds more than extra days in Bonito. After about 7 days in Bonito the tours start to repeat: one more snorkeling river, one more waterfall trail. The Pantanal is a different kind of trip, focused on watching wildlife in open country.
Where the Pantanal is in relation to Bonito
The Pantanal is the world’s largest tropical wetland, and a large part of it lies in western Mato Grosso do Sul, the same Brazilian state as Bonito. From Bonito, most people reach it via the BR-262 highway, which runs from Campo Grande into the Pantanal region.
| Point | Distance and time from Bonito |
|---|---|
| Fazenda San Francisco (Miranda) | 164 km |
| Buraco das Piranhas (BR-262), start of the Estrada Parque | about 230 km, roughly 3 h 20 min by car |
| Estrada Parque Pantanal | about 120 km of dirt road from Buraco das Piranhas |
| Campo Grande (state capital, main airport) | about 297 km, 3 to 4 hours |
Distance is the key planning factor: any Pantanal visit takes at least a full day.
Three ways to go
1. Day trip: Fazenda San Francisco, Miranda
This is the option if you only have one day. Departure from Bonito is around 5 a.m. and you are back around 6 p.m. The program includes a wildlife drive, a trip on a chalana (a traditional flat-bottomed boat) with piranha fishing, a short walk and lunch.
- Adult: R$438 (2026 reference)
- Child aged 5 to 11: R$300
- Night wildlife spotting (focagem noturna, with spotlights): R$346, charged separately
The ranch has facilities adapted for people with reduced mobility, which makes it a realistic choice for older travelers. See accessible Bonito for seniors.
The day trip is a good sample, but it is not the deep Pantanal: you arrive after the early morning and leave before dusk, the two best moments to see animals.
2. Overnight: 2 to 3 nights at a Pantanal lodge
This is how you really see wildlife. Lodges (called pousadas pantaneiras) are in the Miranda area along the BR-262, or at Passo do Lontra, on the Estrada Parque, reached via Buraco das Piranhas. They sell packages with full board and activities, usually combining:
- wildlife drives;
- night spotting;
- boat trips;
- horseback riding.
Prices vary widely by lodge and number of nights. Ask for the full package price and what is included, especially transfers. Pantanal lodges have few rooms, so book 60 to 90 days ahead, at the same time as Bonito’s most popular tours. Ask in advance whether guides speak English; it varies from lodge to lodge.
3. Estrada Parque Pantanal
The Estrada Parque is a dirt road of about 120 km starting at Buraco das Piranhas on the BR-262. In the dry season, wildlife gathers along the road, which makes it popular with photographers and people who enjoy slow driving.
Go with your own car or with a guide. It does not work as a day trip from Bonito: adding the drive to the start of the road makes the day far too long. It fits best as part of an overnight stay at Passo do Lontra.
Day trip or overnight?
| Day trip | Overnight (2 to 3 nights) | |
|---|---|---|
| Time needed | 1 day | 3 to 4 days |
| Wildlife | a sample | broad viewing, including dawn and night |
| Cost | R$438 per adult + transport | full-board package (on request) |
| Change hotel? | no | yes |
| Best for | one spare day | experiencing both on the same trip |
Rule of thumb: with up to 7 days in total, do the day trip at most. With 10 days, the best split is 5 to 6 days in Bonito and 3 to 4 in the Pantanal. The day-by-day plan is in our Bonito and Pantanal itinerary.
Best time to go
May to September, the dry season. During these months:
- animals concentrate near the remaining water, which makes them easier to see;
- dirt roads are in better condition;
- Bonito’s rivers are at their clearest, so both halves of the trip benefit from the same season.
In the rainy season, from November to March, parts of the area flood and dirt roads become harder going. For Bonito month by month, see the best time to visit Bonito.
Logistics
Arriving via Campo Grande
Campo Grande has many more flights than Bonito. If you fly in there, you can do the Pantanal first: take the BR-262 to the Miranda or Buraco das Piranhas area, spend a few days there, then drive to Bonito, without doubling back. See Campo Grande to Bonito for transport options.
Arriving via Bonito airport
If you fly straight into Bonito, do the town’s tours first and leave the Pantanal for the end, or slot in the day trip mid-stay. Check flight days before fixing the order: Bonito’s flight schedule changes by season.
Car or transfer
A rental car gives you freedom on the Estrada Parque and avoids depending on transfer times. The 2026 reference daily rate is R$150 to R$250 plus fuel. For the lodge or the day trip only, a booked transfer is enough. Before renting, read driving in Brazil and renting a car in Bonito.
Reference costs (2026)
| Item | Reference price |
|---|---|
| Fazenda San Francisco day trip, adult | R$438 |
| Day trip, child aged 5 to 11 | R$300 |
| Night spotting at the ranch | R$346 |
| Rental car | R$150 to R$250 per day + fuel |
| Pantanal lodge | full-board package, on request |
2026 reference prices in Brazilian reais, transfers not included, subject to change. Confirm when booking. For a full trip budget, see Bonito travel costs.
Frequently asked questions
Can I visit the Pantanal on a day trip from Bonito?
Yes. The best-known day trip goes to Fazenda San Francisco, a ranch in Miranda 164 km away: you leave around 5 a.m. and return around 6 p.m., with a wildlife drive, a boat trip and lunch. It is a good sample, but it does not replace staying overnight, when you see more wildlife at dawn and after dark.
How much does the Pantanal day trip cost?
At Fazenda San Francisco, the 2026 reference price is R$438 per adult and R$300 per child aged 5 to 11, lunch included. Transport from Bonito is booked separately, through an agency or with your own car. Confirm prices when you book.
When is the best time to visit the Pantanal?
May to September, the dry season. Animals gather around the remaining water, dirt roads are in better shape, and it overlaps with the clearest-water months in Bonito.
How many days should I spend in the Pantanal?
For proper wildlife watching, 2 to 3 nights at a Pantanal lodge. A 10-day trip fits 5 to 6 days in Bonito and 3 to 4 in the Pantanal. With less time, the day trip is the alternative.
Do I need a car to reach the Pantanal?
For the day trip and for lodges, a transfer arranged by your agency or lodge works. To drive the Estrada Parque, about 120 km of dirt road, you need your own car or a guide.
