Everyone has seen those reels on Instagram, where people are snorkeling in tranquil rivers, through the clearest and bluest fresh water you’ve ever seen. This isn’t AI-generated. It’s a real place, in Bonito, Brazil!

Bonito is known as Brazil’s Ecotourism Capital. Besides these Instagram-famous rivers, there are lakes, fish, otters, caves, canyons, monkeys, anacondas, caimans, waterfalls, rapids, and so much more nature and adventure to be enjoyed in Bonito.

With nearly 50 tours in Bonito, there is something for everyone’s taste of adventure. This article will discuss our top 5 tours in Bonito, why we loved them, and what you need to know about each tour before you visit!

Few people outside of Brazil have heard of Bonito. It’s not near any other major cities in Brazil and is a 4-hour drive from the state capital (and largest city) of Mato Grosso do Sul: Campo Grande.

While much of the famous Pantanal swampland is found in Mato Grosso do Sul, Bonito is located further south and just outside the formally defined Pantanal geography. Most of the tourist attractions in Bonito are located 30 minutes to one hour outside of the downtown area.

What is so special about Bonito

Bonito’s ecotourism is centered around its strikingly transparent and vivid blue rivers and lakes. Images and videos of these famous waterways are what attract thousands of tourists every year!

So what makes them so blue and clear? And are they really that blue and clear in real life?

To answer the latter question, yes they are really that blue and clear! As to what keeps the water transparent, the answer is the limestone rock found naturally throughout the region.

The short answer

The abundant presence of limestone causes all other masses floating in the waters to become heavy and sink to the bottom. This process naturally clears any debris or particles that would normally be clouding visibility. The debris and particles eventually turn the same white color as the river floor. When the sun shines brightly, the light reflects on the limestone rock and creates a blue-green coloring that humans see in the water.

All guides at the rivers and springs are well informed on this process and are happy to answer further questions about why the water in Bonito is unique!

To preserve the quality of the water and ecosystem, many tours ask guests to not use sunscreen or bug spray when swimming.

Types of Tours in Bonito

The most common tours in Bonito. 

Floats (snorkeling)

Caverns & Caves

Scuba Diving

Horseback Riding

Waterfalls

Day-use Resorts

Rapids Rafting

Floats in Bonito

Floats, or flutuação in Portuguese, is the most popular type of tour in Bonito.

During these tours, visitors can swim (read: float) in the rivers and lakes using wetsuits and life jackets, which help them stay afloat. A snorkel and mask are also provided so you can comfortably observe fish, flora, and fauna while floating.

You do not need to be a good swimmer to enjoy the floats!

Popular floats in Bonito:

• Aquário Natural
• Barra do Sucuri
• Nascente Azul*
• Rio Sucuri*
• Rio da Prata*
• Lagoa Misteriosa*
• Nascente da Serra
• Abismo Anhumas*

*Tours that we did in 2023

Caverns and Caves

Caverns, caves, grottos, or grutas in Portuguese are a land feature throughout the Bonito Region. Tour activities in the caves vary from just observation to rappelling and scuba diving.

Caverns that can be toured in Bonito:

• Gruta do Lago Azul*
• Gruta Catedral
• Gruta São Miguel
• Abismo Anhumas*

*Tours that we did in 2023

Gruta Lago Azul Cavern

Scuba Diving in Bonito

It is possible to scuba dive, or mergulho in Portuguese, at several of the lakes and rivers in Bonito. If you are not certified to scuba dive, you can do a baptism dive where you are assisted by a certified diver throughout the entire dive.

Dive sites in Bonito:

• Abismo Anhumas
• Lago Misteriosa*
• Rio da Prata*
• Nascente Azul
• Rio Formoso
• Gruta do Mimoso

*Tours that we did in 2023

Lagoa Misteriosa in Bonito

Horseback Riding in Bonito

Horseback riding, or cavalgada in Portuguese, is a pastime of the Mato Grosso do Sul region. Several tours offer daytime, sunset, or moonlit rides through the wide-open pastures of Bonito’s farmlands.

Horseback Riding Tours:

• Cavalgada Ceita Corê
• Cavalgada Estância Mimosa
• Cavalgada Recanto do Peão
• Cavalgada Recanto Ecológico Rio da Prata
• Cavalgada Recanto Ecológico Rio Formoso

Waterfalls in Bonito

Waterfalls, or cachoeiras in Portuguese, are found throughout Bonito. It is possible to swim at the bottom of several waterfalls in natural pools or spend the day hiking from waterfall to waterfall.

Tours for exploring waterfalls: 

• Ceita Corê
• Estãncia Mimosa
• Parque das Cachoeiras
• Recanto das Águas
• Rio do Peixe
• Boca da Onça*
• Cachoeira Serra da Bodoquena

*Tours that we did in 2023

Day-use Resorts in Bonito

If relaxation is more your speed, there are plenty of day resorts, or Balneários in Portuguese, to choose from in Bonito! The use of some of these resorts can be paired with floats, hikes, horseback riding, and other tours offered in Bonito.

Resorts with Day-Use: 

• Bosque das Águas
• Refúgio da Barra
• Eco Park Porto da Ilha
• Balneário Municipal
• Estrela do Formoso
• Balneário Ilha Bonita
• Balneário do Sol
• Balneário Azul*
• Praia da Figueira
• Jardim Ecopark

*Tours that we did in 2023

Rapids Rafting

If relaxation isn’t why you came to Bonito, there are rapids, rivers, and waterfalls to be explored in a raft (bote) or tube (bóia-cross). 

Rafting Tours:

• Boia Cross Cabanas
• Bote Rio Formoso
• Bonito Passeio de Bote

1. Sucuri River Float 
2. Rappelling and Float in Abismo Anhumas
3. Prata River Float
4. Nascente Azul Float and Resort
5. Boca de Onça – Adventure Trail and Rappel

 1. The Sucuri River Float 

Rio Sucuri is the river you typically see drone footage of on Instagram. After a short walk through nature guests float or snorkel 1-mile down the river. The river current is pretty strong so no swimming is required, just need to float and enjoy!

Three-quarters of a mile into the float there is a dock and area to rest before finishing the float. A small safety boat follows behind the group while the guide leads in the front.

Even though we were visiting during the dry season in Mato Gross do Sul, unfortunately during our tour, there were strong thunderstorms which severely impacted the visibility of the river. 

Learn more about the best time of year to visit Bonito here. 

Tour length:

The entire float tour is about 2 hours long depending on how quickly your group and the groups in front float. 

Following our 8:30 am tour at Gruta Lago Azul, we checked into Rio Sucuri at 11 am. Originally our tour was scheduled for 2 pm but luckily the staff moved our reservation up so we didn’t have to wait around before the float!

Number of people in the group:

Six people plus the guide

What to wear:

Bathing suit and cover-up

What to bring:

Change of clothes for after
Soap for in the shower
Quick Dry Towel
Go Pro or waterproof iPhone case/bag

Onsite Amenities:

• Restaurant: Lunch is not included with the float but there is a restaurant onsite.
• Lockers: Guests are able to store all of their belongings in a free locker. The guide keeps the key during the tour.
• Showers: Hot showers and changing rooms are available in the locker area.
  Pool

Ages:

Suitable for ages 4 and up

 2. Rappelling and Float in Abismo Anhumas

Abismo Anhumas is a can’t-miss, there is no other tour like it offered in Bonito (maybe even South America)! That said, it is also one of the most expensive tours you will find here.

About the Tour: 

This tour starts the day before, all participants must check in at the Abismo Anhumas office in downtown Bonito. At the office, you will sign waivers acknowledging the risks involved with the tour, receive your official tour start time, and also be fitted for your full body (including a hood) wetsuit and booties. They do this the day before so that during your tour your wetsuit and booties are already waiting for you inside the cave.

I’d previously seen online that visitors also practice rappelling at the downtown office but we did not do this during our check-in process. Plan to spend 30-45 minutes at the office depending on how busy it is.

There are three ways to experience the cavern:

• Contemplation: Electric rappel followed by boat tour in the cave (must be at least 5 years old)
• Floating: Electric rappel followed by boat tour and float/snorkeling in the cave (must be at least 8 years old)
• Scuba Dive: Electric rappel followed by boat tour and scuba diving (certified or baptism) in the cave

Rappeling in Abismo Anhumas

The rappel down into the cave is 72 meters and takes about 5-7 minutes. It is fully electric and carries two people at a time. All visitors have to do is use their hands to safely guide themselves through a few of the narrow passageways during the descent and ascent. Your backpack will be brought down in a large sack with the other group members’ belongings.

During the descent and ascent, visitors are not permitted to have anything in their hands. You are allowed to use a GoPro but it must be mounted to the rappel machinery above your head using a quick-release mount. The tour does not provide the mount attachment so be sure to bring yours with you if you want to capture footage of rappelling down!

Inside the Abismo Anhumas

It is dark in the cave at the bottom! The only lighting is the natural light that enters through the small opening at the top. The crew working the tour also has flashlights to assist with set up and photos. Don’t worry though, your eyes will adjust over time to be able to see better. The infrastructure at the bottom consists of a large floating dock with benches and tables. There is also a portable restroom in the cave.

Boat Ride in Abismo Anhumas

After rappelling down to the docks, the tour begins with a 20-minute boat ride and overview of the cave and lake. The boat is a sturdy rubber inflatable raft that is steered by the guide using a paddle. The guide will do a full loop of the lake and using a flashlight point out unique features found in Abismo Anhumas.

Float in Abismo Anhumas

Following the boat ride, everyone changes into their wetsuits and life jackets to prepare for the float or dive. The lake is 80 meters deep. If you are scuba diving, you will be able to go as deep as 18 meters during the dive. The float is 30 minutes long and the group is led on a specific path around the lake by the guide. The guide uses his flashlight to increase the visibility of the unique rock formations under the water. They report natural visibility to be about 60 meters. Only very tiny fish live in the lake.

Photography in the water is very difficult due to lighting. A GoPro with an external light attachment would improve image quality.

Tour length:

Our tour started at 7:30 am and we were done and outside the cave by 10:30 am. I suggest arriving a little before your tour time to be the first ones down to the docks inside the cave. This allows for ample time for photos before the tour begins. Only two people can rappel at once, so getting the full group inside the cave takes some time.

Our tourism agency did not know when our tour at Abismo Anhumas would begin until after we checked in the day prior. If this is the norm, planning other tours on this same day (in advance) might be tricky. For us, the second half of the day was a travel day so the early start worked well with our plans.

Number of people in the group:

Eight people plus the guide

What to wear:

Tourgoers are required to wear sneakers and shorts that reach the knees or long pants to be comfortable and safe in the harness. Wear a bathing suit under your street clothes to make changing into the wetsuit easy.

What to bring:

• Change of clothes for after the tour
• A jacket or warm layer to put on after the float or dive
• Snacks like granola bars or banana
• GoPro or camera
• Quick dry towel
• Backpack to store all belongings during the tour

Onsite Amenities:

• Restaurant: No lunch is included with this tour. There is a small gift shop with snacks for purchase onsite. 
• Lockers: There are no lockers provided during the tour. All your belongings stay with you.

Ages:

Suitable for ages 5 and up (must be 8 years and older to do a float in the cave)

3. Prata River Float

The tour begins with an overview of the Recanto Ecológico Rio da Prata’s expansive property which includes farmland, vegetable gardens, horse stables, and a private nature reserve. The reserve is home to animals like anteaters, macaws, toucans, coatis, robust capuchin monkeys, white-lipped peccary, and javelinas.

The float begins at the Olho D’Água River. This river carries visitors as they float for 1 mile until the Prata River meets the Olho D’Água River. At the rivers’ meeting point, there is time for free diving and swimming before continuing the float another half mile down the Prata River. This river is much deeper and not as clear as the Olho D’Água River. There are opportunities to see wildlife like jacarés or caimans on the riverbank during this part of the float.

Following the floats, guests are treated to a homemade Doce de Leite dessert at the reception area. A lunch buffet is included with the float. Lunch can be enjoyed before or after the tour depending on timing.

Tour length:

3.5 hours long depending on how quickly your group and the groups in front float.

The Prata River float pairs well with the Lagoa Misteriosa Tour. Lago Misteriosa and Rio Prata use the same reception check-in and gear distribution area

Number of people in the group:

Eight people plus the guide

What to wear:

 Bathing suit and cover-up

What to bring:

• Change of clothes for after the float
• Soap for in the shower
• Quick Dry Towel (bring the towel with you on the float to use at the end before getting on the shuttle back to the reception area)
• Go Pro or waterproof iPhone case/bag

Onsite Amenities:

• Restaurant: A buffet lunch is included with the float tour. Beer and other refreshments are available for purchase.
• Lockers, hot showers, and changing rooms are available.
• Gift shop
• Horseback riding tours
• Hammock relaxation area

Ages:

Suitable for ages 6 and up 

4. Nascente Azul Float and Resort

In 2008, Nascente Azul’s land was in disarray after a lack of conservation and too much deforestation by previous owners. New ownership was able to transform it into its previous state of natural beauty and paradise that it is today.

Following check-in, you will be assigned a group name and float time. We only had to wait about 30 minutes before beginning the float portion of the tour. If your tour is scheduled for later in the day, guests can spend time at the balneário or the enormous pool made to look like a natural lake/beachfront.

Nascente Azul Float

Like many other floats, it begins with a short walk through a nature preserve. The guide will show off the revitalized limestone waterfall along the way to the float gear station. At the gear station, you will be able to enjoy the vast views of the Serra da Bodoquena National Park.

It may be one of the shortest floats in Bonito at less than a quarter mile in length, but it was one of my favorites! The river is crazy blue (hence its name), there is an abundance of fish and underwater flora and fauna, and the surrounding environment is extremely lush.

At the beginning of the float, there is time for free diving and swimming around the nascente or natural spring.

Following the float, there is the opportunity (additional fee) to take a zip line back to the reception area.

Nascente Azul Resort 

There is a lot to do at Nascente Azul beyond the float. Some activities are included with the pool day use and others require an additional fee:

• Pool obstacle course and 5-meter zipline into the water (free)
• Scuba diving in an “underwater museum”
• 450-meter zipline over the property
• Human pendulum swing

Tour length:

From beginning to end the float tour is about 2 hours, 1 hour of which is spent in the water. It’s up to the visitor and their schedule how long they choose to spend at the pool or other amenities at Nascente Azul.

Number of people in the group:

Ten people plus the guide

What to wear:

Bathing suit and cover-up

What to bring:

• Change of clothes for after the float
• Quick Dry Towel 
• Go Pro or waterproof iPhone case/bag

Onsite Amenities:

• Restaurants: All-you-can-eat buffet restaurant at a fixed price and a full-service pool bar with an ala carte food menu available for purchase
• Lockers: Your float group will share a large locker to store belongings during the tour
• Multiple pools and playgrounds

Ages:

Suitable for ages 4 and up

5. Boca da Onça – Adventure Trail and Rappel

If you’re looking for adventure beyond Bonito’s float tours, Boca da Onça is the answer! If you like the thrill of heights, even better. If you aren’t a fan of heights there is still so much fun to be had hiking to waterfalls and swimming in natural pools.

Boca da Onça Ecotour offers a few different tour options on their property:

• Trail Discovery: 4 miles of light hiking, visit 15 waterfalls and 9 natural pools, 5-6 hour tour includes breakfast and lunch and access to pools
• Boca da Onça Adventure Trail: 2.5 miles of light hiking/walking on trails, visit 8 waterfalls and 5 natural pools, 4-5 hour tour includes breakfast and lunch and access to pools
• Boca da Onça Half Adventure Trail: 1.3 miles of easy walking on trails visit 2 waterfalls and 3 natural pools, 2-hour tour includes breakfast and access to the pools
• Buraco do Macaco Adventure Half Trail: 1.3 miles of easy walking on trails, visit 7 waterfalls and 3 natural pools, 2-hour tour includes breakfast and access to the pools

For even more adventure, a 295ft rappel can be added to the start of Boca da Onça Adventure Trail or Half Trail options.

We chose to do the Boca da Onça Adventure Trail with Rappel and it was an amazing day!

Boca da Onça Adventure Trail – Rappel

I have never rappelled before and have a mild fear of heights so when I told my husband I signed us both up to rappel from the tallest rappel platform in Brazil, I think we were both a little surprised. However, the rappel at Boca de Onça is the best experience for first-time rappelers. I felt very safe and in control the entire time in the harness while rappelling ourselves 295 feet for about 10 minutes.

Unlike the fully electric rappel at Abismo Anhumas, Boca da Onça’s rappel is controlled manually by you and the guides.

The rappel helmets have a mount for GoPros if you want to film your descent. No additional attachment is needed, just be sure your GoPro has the 2-prong attachment on the bottom.

Boca da Onça Adventure Trail – Hiking

Following the rappel, we joined the other members of our group who were only doing the Boca da Onça Adventure Trail and began the hiking portion of the tour to our first of 8 waterfalls and 5 natural pools.

The hiking is very easy. If you have never hiked before don’t let the words “hike” or “trail” make you wary of doing this tour. We never walked for more than 10 minutes in between waterfalls and natural pools. There was more downhill or flat walking than stairs or incline walking.

It did rain for about 30 minutes after our first waterfall and natural pool stop. Most of us were already wet from swimming so our group continued like it wasn’t pouring rain.

Luckily we had a dry bag inside our backpack to keep cell phones and wallets safe from the rain. Except for when there is lightning, tours in Bonito happen rain or shine.

Boca da Onça Waterfall – Shape of a jaguar’s head at the top

Boca da Onça Adventure Trail – Waterfalls 

My favorite waterfall along the trail is the Boca da Onça Waterfall. It is the largest in Mato Grosso do Sul, soaring 500 feet. Its name in Portuguese means, “Mouth of the Jaguar” because you can see the slight outline of a jaguar’s face beneath the waterfall on the rock surface.

Boca da Onça Adventure Trail – View Points 

The best view on the hike (and maybe in all of Bonito?!) is “The Window to the Sky of Boca da Onça” or Janela para o Céu da Boca da Onça. I had seen photos from this part of the hike before and it was just as dreamy of a view in person.

Boca da Onça Adventure Trail – Natural Pools 

My favorite natural pool was “The Monkey Hole” or Buraco do Macaco in Portuguese. This natural pool is unique in that it is in a cave with a waterfall. To enter the natural pool, you swim under an opening in the rock. There is a rope from the entrance to the far side of the cave to assist people in getting in and out.

Tour length:

This is an all-day tour. We arrived at 7:45 am, began the rappel portion of the tour at 8:30 am, and returned from the hike for lunch after 2 pm.

Number of people in the group:

Ten people plus the guide

What to wear:

• Bathing suit
• Comfortable clothing to wear over your bathing suit for the rappel and hiking
• Shoes: Wear sandals with a back strap like Chacos, water shoes like Crocs, or sneakers. Be prepared to put on and remove your shoes throughout the tour. The hiking portions of the tour do not require hiking boots.

What to bring:

• Change of clothes for after-tour
• Quick Dry Towel
• Hat and sunglasses
• Backpack to use on the trail
• Dry bag for inside backpack
• Water for on-the-trail
• Snacks for on-the-trail
• Go Pro or waterproof iPhone case/bag

Onsite Amenities:

• Restaurant: a breakfast buffet is included with every tour. A lunch buffet is included with two Boca da Onça’s tours. Beer and refreshments are available for purchase.
• Snack bar: there is a snack kiosk halfway through the hiking portion of the tour
• Pool and hot tubs 

Ages:

Suitable for ages 7 and up

With over 50 amazing Ecotours in Bonito, there is a tour for every age and interest. I hope this article helps you narrow down the choices! The 5 tours described above really are the best tours in Bonito, Brazil.

Have more questions about tours in Bonito? Drop them in the comments below! Feel free to share your favorite tour in Bonito too.

For more information and tips about traveling to Bonito, Brazil read my article – Float Through Beautiful Bonito: Brazil’s Ecotourism Capital.

Where to go from Bonito, Brazil