Fazenda San Francisco Pantanal Day Trip

Fazenda San Francisco is a ranch in Miranda, 164 km from Bonito, and it is the most common way to add the Pantanal, the vast wetland west of Bonito, to a Bonito trip without changing accommodation. The day trip takes the whole day and bundles the classic activities of a Pantanal ranch into a single voucher.

What the day is like

Reception opens at 8am and activities start at 8:30am. The order is decided on arrival, depending on the group and the weather. The program includes:

• Photo safari in an open vehicle along the ranch’s internal roads, with a local Pantanal guide.
• Short trail through the riverside forest of the Miranda River, with a suspended walkway.
• Pantanal-style lunch at the ranch canteen, with free time at the pool.
• Boat ride on a “chalana”, the traditional flat-bottomed boat of the region, along the São Domingos backwater channel, with piranha fishing using bamboo poles when the season allows.
• Afternoon snack with piranha broth before closing, around 4:30pm to 5pm.

Wildlife commonly seen on the day trip includes caimans, capybaras, marsh deer, giant otters and many birds. The jaguar is mostly nocturnal; if you want to try to see one, you need the night wildlife-spotting drive, sold separately.

Logistics from Bonito

Expect about 2 hours on the road each way. To arrive by 8am you leave Bonito very early, and you get back in the early evening. Transport is quoted separately by the agency. If you drive yourself, the road is paved all the way to Miranda. Because it is a long day, do not book a big tour for the next morning.

Who it suits

Travelers who want a taste of the Pantanal and do not have days to sleep there. It is a light tour that works for families and for travelers over 60; the ranch reports adapted facilities. If you want serious wildlife viewing, with dawn and night outings, our article on the Pantanal from Bonito compares the day trip with a stay at a Pantanal lodge.

Price

The info box on this page shows the 2026 reference price in Brazilian reais (BRL). It includes safari, boat ride, trail, lunch, snack, guide and insurance. Transport and the night drive are not included. You book through Bonito’s tour agencies.

Is it worth it?

Yes, if the Pantanal is on your list and you have five days or more in Bonito. On short trips, the day trip takes a full day that could go to Rio da Prata or the Blue Lake Cave. With 10 days, you gain more from the Bonito and Pantanal itinerary, with nights in both regions.