Estância Mimosa Waterfalls

Estância Mimosa is Bonito’s “easy” waterfall tour, and that is no put-down. The trail of about 2.8 km follows the Mimoso River on flat ground, passing a sequence of low drops with clear pools, and ends at the farmhouse with lunch cooked on a wood-fired stove. It is 25 km from the town center, takes half a day and is the waterfall tour best suited to families with children, older travelers or anyone who does not want to face the staircase at Boca da Onça.

What the tour is like

Reception is at the headquarters of a working cattle farm, with changing rooms, showers, a hammock area and a restaurant. The group is given life vests and sets off with the guide along the trail, which crosses riverside forest and pasture, with stops to look at birds and the river’s limestone formations. One stretch is covered by boat, which helps keep the pace relaxed.

The waterfalls are low, a few meters high, formed by tufa (limestone) dams the river built itself. The pools are the goal: spring water, pale rocky bottoms, small fish and enough depth to swim in the deeper sections. The guide sets nine swim stops, and the time at each is generous. At one of them there is a drop you can stand under.

The trail returns to the farmhouse along the same valley, and the tour ends with lunch, served from the wood-fired stove with regional food and the farm’s dulce de leche and fruit sweets. From arrival to departure, allow about 4 hours including lunch.

Rules

The rules of Bonito’s rivers apply in the pools: no sunscreen or insect repellent on your skin in the water (apply only after your last swim), no touching fish or the limestone formations, mandatory vest in the deep stretches. Closed shoes are required on the trail.

Best season and time of day

Because the water comes from springs, the pools are clear year-round, but the waterfalls carry more water between March and June, after the rains. In August and September the drops are more modest, though the pools are still good. Heavy rain clouds the water for a day or two and can suspend the trail. The morning departure is best: the tour ends at lunch and the afternoon is free for another attraction near town, such as the Municipal River Beach. Read more about the best time to visit Bonito.

Price

The reference price, in Brazilian reais (BRL), is in the info box on this page with the date it was checked. Lunch is included in that price. Transport is quoted separately. As with every attraction in the region, tickets are bought through a licensed agency at the same price everywhere, under Bonito’s single-voucher system.

Estância Mimosa or Boca da Onça?

Boca da Onça has the canyon, the 156-meter waterfall and the staircase, and takes a full day 60 km from Bonito. Estância Mimosa has none of that: it has good pools, a flat trail and a farm lunch, 25 km away and in half a day. For travelers with small children, grandparents or little appetite for walking, Mimosa delivers more. For scenery and effort, Boca da Onça. With five days or more, both fit without competing.

Is it worth it?

Yes, as the waterfall day of a four-day itinerary, especially for families. It is a tour with no unpleasant surprises: easy, close, well equipped and with good food. The caveat is for anyone expecting tall waterfalls or an adventure trail; Mimosa is river swimming in a farm setting, and those who understand that leave satisfied. Compare with the other options in our hub on waterfalls in Bonito and see how it fits into the 4-day itinerary.