What to Pack for Bonito, Brazil: A Checklist by Season

Packing for Bonito, Brazil, is simpler than it looks: the gear for river snorkeling is included, and the town is informal. What makes a difference are four items many people forget: shoes that can get wet, a dry bag for your phone, a quick-dry towel and, in June and July, a real jacket. Below is the full checklist, split by use.

A quick glossary: “flutuação” (floating) is Bonito’s signature tour, a guided river snorkel in which you drift with the current in a wetsuit and life vest; a “balneário” is a river beach, a riverside day-use spot for swimming.

For the water

• Swimwear: it goes under the wetsuit on river snorkeling tours.
• Water shoes or sport sandals with a heel strap, for river beaches and waterfalls.
• A quick-dry towel. On cold days, an extra large towel.
• A dry bag for your phone and documents.
• A waterproof camera or phone case. Several attractions sell photos, but your own camera works out cheaper.

For trails and caves

• Comfortable sneakers, preferably a pair that can get wet. Several waterfall trails cross rocks and riverbanks.
• Light shorts and T-shirts; quick-drying clothes help.
• A hat or cap and sunglasses.
• A reusable water bottle.
• A small daypack.

Closed shoes are mandatory in caves such as Catedral Cave and on adventure tours. At the Blue Lake Cave there are about 300 steps: soles with good grip make a difference.

Winter (June and July)

The river water stays between 21 and 24 °C all year, but the air cools down. When a cold front comes through, mornings can drop below 12 °C, and getting out of the water in the wind is the most uncomfortable moment.

• A jacket and long pants.
• A large towel for getting out of the water.
• Thick socks for the evening.

In July, prefer river snorkeling slots in the late morning. See what changes that month in Bonito in July.

Summer (December to March)

This is the season of strong heat and rain showers, usually in the late afternoon. Temperatures can go above 35 °C.

• Light, quick-drying clothes; pack more T-shirts than in winter.
• A hat, sunglasses and a water bottle on every tour.
• A light rain poncho or windbreaker for the afternoon showers.
• Plenty of insect repellent: on forest trails, mosquitoes are more common at this time of year.
• An extra pair of sneakers or closed sandals, because the first pair may not dry overnight.

For children

• Photo ID or birth certificate: minimum ages are checked at the entrance.
• Extra swimwear.
• Snacks for the road; some attractions are more than 50 km away.
• A light jacket, even in summer, for after swimming.

Children’s wetsuits often come in limited sizes. Ask when booking. Our guide to Bonito with kids lists the minimum age for each tour.

Health

• Any regular medication, with a prescription.
• Sunscreen and insect repellent, for use after the water.
• Antihistamines.
• Motion sickness medicine, if anyone in your group gets carsick. Several tours involve a stretch of dirt road.

River snorkeling and scuba diving have restrictions for pregnant women, people with heart conditions, people with epilepsy and anyone who has had recent surgery. Tell the agency when booking.

Electronics

• Chargers and a power bank.
• Extra memory cards.
• A plug adapter, if you are coming from abroad.

Most outlets are 127 V, but some guesthouses have 220 V. Check before plugging in a hair dryer or straightener.

Documents and money

• Photo ID for everyone, including children (for international visitors, your passport).
• Vouchers saved on your phone for offline access. Signal is often weak at rural attractions.
• Proof of payment of the Environmental Conservation Fee, a municipal fee charged per day of tours.
• A card and some cash. There are few ATMs and you should not count on withdrawing money at night.

What you do not need to bring

• Wetsuit, mask and snorkel: included on river snorkeling tours. Above 120 kg, check with the attraction.
• Fins: not used on river snorkeling tours.
• Dressy clothes: Bonito is informal, even at the most expensive restaurants.
• Lots of clothes: there are laundries, and the weather is hot most of the year.

If you have not yet chosen your dates, the best time to visit Bonito shows how the weather changes month by month. For the order in which to book, see what to book first.