Bonito Brazil: Mother Nature’s Playground

Discovering Bonito: Does It Live Up to Its Name?

When I asked Brazilian friends on places I should visit while traveling in southwestern Brazil, the overwhelming response was always Bonito.

With a name like Bonito (meaning “beautiful”), this small town of just over 17,000 people is tucked away in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso do Sul and is one of the most popular Brazilian tourist destinations in the region.

Famous for its abundance of natural beauty, including wildlife, waterfalls, and crystal-clear rivers, Bonito is one of the best outdoor adventure spots I’ve ever visited.

Day One: Biking Through Eco Parks

On day one I rented a bike from town and rode through the scenic countryside, with cows and open fields adding to the experience. I visited two different eco parks/public baths: Porto da Ilha and Balneário do Sol. I loved the freshwater pools that connected to small waterfalls and the wildlife surrounding my every move.

No question, the zip-line into the pool at Balneário do Sol was the highlight. 

Experiencing the Brazilian Rodeo (via Mule Taxi!)

I got lucky with the Rodeo being in town, so that evening, after a quick rest at the hotel, I hopped on a mule taxi and ventured over to the Brazilian Rodeo at the Clubes de Laço (lasso club) just outside Bonito to experience a different aspect of Brazilian culture.

I couldn’t believe how similar the Brazilian rodeo culture was to ours in the States. Just a bunch of good ‘ol boys trying to have a good time. 

Snorkeling at Recanto Ecologico Rio da Prata

The next morning I drove over to Recanto Ecologico Rio da Prata (The Silver River Ecological Reserve) to snorkel in the beautiful transparent water teeming with aquatic life. Floating down the river, I saw the vibrant aquatic life in some of the clearest waters in the world.

As I mentioned in the video, thanks to the enormous amount of limestone in the ground around Bonito, the water passes through a natural filter that leaves the rivers to be some of the clearest and most transparent in the world.

To maintain its beauty, there is a daily limit to how many people can enter the water so you have to reserve a spot in advance.

Witnessing Macaws at Buraco das Araras

From there, we went to Buraco das Araras (Sinkhole of the Macaws) to witness hundreds of Macaws and other exotic birds fly around the giant red rock hole in the ground. The sinkhole was once a cave whose roof collapsed, creating a natural sanctuary for these birds.

It was a captivating moment that felt like something out of a Pixar movie.

A Taste of Downtown Bonito

That night I experienced the quiet and lovely downtown Bonito and drank some locally brewed cachaça at the popular Taboa. I met up with some fellow travelers and shared stories over a few drinks.

Needless to say, it was a great weekend in Bonito, Brazil, and I can’t wait to come back again soon.

There are still a ton of things to do in Bonito Brazil that I missed, like… Abismo Anhumas, Lagoa Misteriosa, Boca da Onca Waterfall, Aquario Natural, Rio do Peixe, Rio Sucuri, Gruta do Lago Azul and Parque das Cachoeiras to name a few.

Bonito truly lives up to its name, and my future to-do list is growing!

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Hotel provided by Aguas de Bonito

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Watch this and every Travel Deeper Brazil episode @ YouTube.com/Tourist2Townie

Gareth

My name is Gareth Leonard, a Marketing Director turned World Traveler with a passion for slow, meaningful travel. I have been traveling the world full-time for the past 9+ years and document it all on Instagram and YouTube. Come join me!