Formoso River Raft Tour (Passeio de Bote)

The raft tour (passeio de bote) is the most relaxed way to get to know the Formoso River. An inflatable raft for up to 12 people descends 5 km of river, passing three waterfalls and three rapids, with a swim stop and plenty of time to watch the forest and the fish. It is not whitewater rafting: the guide paddles, the river does the rest and the adrenaline is limited to the short rapids. It is the water tour in Bonito best suited to small children, grandparents and weak swimmers.

Departure is from a river park on the banks of the Formoso, 6 km from the center, and the ticket usually includes day use there.

What the tour is like

The group is given vests and helmets, listens to the briefing and boards at a dock upstream. The descent begins on calm, clear water, with the guide pointing out schools of piraputanga and dourado that follow the raft. The banks are dense forest, with fig trees and vines, and the silence brings out the wildlife: capuchin monkeys, toucans, kingfishers and, now and then, capybaras.

The waterfalls are side falls and small rapids in the riverbed. At the two main ones the raft rocks, water comes in and everyone gets wet; it lasts a few seconds and is the part children remember most. At one of the waterfalls there is a stop of about 20 minutes to swim.

The descent takes about an hour. On arrival, the group lands at the river park and can stay for the rest of the day, with a restaurant, changing rooms and swimming docks. Anyone who wants to paddle themselves can swap the raft for the duck, a two-person inflatable kayak that runs the same stretch with a guide alongside.

Best season and time of day

The raft runs year-round. With a full river, from November to April, the rapids are livelier; in the dry season, June to August, the water is clearer and wildlife easier to spot, but the swim gets chilly. Heavy rain on the day can cloud the river and suspend the departure. Morning has better light and more animals on the banks.

Price

Tickets are sold by Bonito’s licensed agencies under the single-voucher system, at the same price everywhere. The reference price, in Brazilian reais (BRL), is in the “At a glance” box on this page with the date it was checked, and usually includes day use at the river park. Transport and meals are quoted separately.

Is it worth it?

Yes, for families with small children, for groups of mixed ages and for anyone who wants to see the Formoso without effort. It is also a good option for a rest day between river snorkels. Combined with day use at Ilha do Padre, it makes a full day on the river for less than the cost of a river snorkel.

It is not worth it for thrill-seekers: in that case, river tubing on the Formoso delivers more on the same river. And it is no substitute for a river snorkel: to see the fish up close, the Sucuri River or Aquário Natural remain the main event. More ideas in Bonito with kids and adventure tours in Bonito.