Bonito is in the middle of a region which is being discovered as "Caribe do Centro-Oeste" due to the
unbelievable blue colour of its rivers and springs. Owing to the enormous quantity of limestone in the ground, the water of these rivers passes through a real natural filter where impurities are deposited at the bottom of the river bed and the result is the
absolute transparency of the water. The region stands out due to the conscious exploration.of tourism and has developed an infra-structure which receives and directs the tourists, at the same time as it cares for the preservation of every visited site, maintaining its. greatest riches, the environment.
Bonito is a region rich in caverns and waterfalls and presents countless attractions for travelers of all tastes and ages.
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Gruta do Lago Azul is a calcareous formation, greenish due to the deposit of vegetation, sediments and its Lago Azul (Blue Lake) is 100 m. below the ground (to maintain preservation of the site no swimming in the lake is allowed).
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diving in the Acquario Natural (Natural Aquarium) is a must and is done among enormous aquatic plants and shoals of coloured fish.
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Another trip which cannot be missed is the descent of Rio Olho D'agua to its end, on Rio da Prata, in an extraordinary dive in crystalline water brimming with fish.
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Rafting on Rio Formosa provides a touch of adventure to the trip and the opportunity to appreciate the vegetation and. the fauna on the river banks (meeting with monkeys, toucans and macaws).
Sample itinerary for Bonito Tours
for arrival on any day via land transfers
1ST. day: Arrival at Campo Grande and group transfer to Bonito, leaving at 14h30 and arriving approximately at 8 pm. Accommodation at Hotel
2nd. day: Right after breakfast we shall visit one of the most famous places of Bonito, the Lago Azul grotto. Blue Lake Cave is doubtless the most beautiful and imposing cave of the region. It is approximately 400 million years old. The access is by stairway with 292 steps that descends to the level where we see the lake rich in water with calcium carbonate and magnesium that gives its blue color of hypnotic intensity. It’s the largest submerged gallery in the world. Divers have reached depths of 57 meters and found fossils of pre-historic animals, such as the giant sloth, saber-tooth tiger and others.
In the afternoon we leave for the Sucuri river. This has some of the clearest river water in the world, with a visibility and transparency of 100%, due to the calcareous composition of the soil. Visit to the headwaters were we see the water come out the sand in a phosphorescent blue and green color. Afterwards, floating snorkeling for 2 km down in the main current to observe flora and fauna of the river. Unforgettable! Included equipment: snorkel, mask, life-vest and back up boat.
3rd day: breakfast, then full day Rio da Prata + Buraco das Araras (Macaws´ Hole). One-hour walk along a jungle trail as far as the Olho d'Água wellspring. A one-hour and a half snorkeling in the springs and down the Olho d'Água River without a support boat. Mask, snorkel, neoprene clothing and boots included.The Buraco das Araras is a 124-meter deep doline (a cave whose roof caved in) with a circumference of 500 meters. In its interior there is a very special ecosystem made up by a forest and a lake complete with microalgae and fish. In this environment there is a fauna represented by fruit-eating bats, insect-eating bats, some species of reptiles, little rodents and birds, among them, the bright and wonderful red-and-green macaw (Ara chloroptera)- This tour takes place in the city of Jardim, 50 km from Bonito - Duration: full day
4th day: Breakfast. Transfer from Bonito to Campo Grande (airport), leaving at 7h30 am, arriving approximately at 1 pm.
2013 Low Season Price per person in US$ from:
| |
sgl |
dbl |
tpl |
quad |
| Lucca Hotel |
964 |
692 |
594 |
573 |
| Olho D'Agua |
1016 |
713 |
624 |
601 |
| Aguas de Bonito |
1158 |
783 |
686 |
656 |
| Pousada Surucua |
1237 |
773 |
667 |
637 |
| Wetiga Hotel |
1336 |
860 |
752 |
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Prices will be higher during High Season
INCLUDED:
roundtrip airport transfers, above mentioned tours in private, lodging in Bonito in a hotel selected by you, breakfasts and other meals mentioned, specialized English-speaking local guides
NOT INCLUDED:
beverages, meals during transfers, other meals not mentioned, phone calls.
- Can also quote for private transfers with or without English-speaker
- can quote for private tours without English-speaking guides
- can quote for group tours with guides who speak little English (see schedule on left)
Other Tour options:
Boca da Onça Ecotour (Jaguar's Mouth)
A 2.780 jungle trail, where one will be in contact with hundred-year-old trees and 12 waterfalls, one of them bearing the most suggestive name of " Indian Caldron" , a real natural massage. At the end of the trail we will be face to face with a beautiful waterfall: the Jaguar's Mouth. A deserved stop for waterfall bathing in a natural swimming pool formed by the falls. The highlight of the tour is floating in the pool as one watches the waterfalls plunging from on high, feeling all of Nature's energy. With a height of 156 meters this is the highest waterfalls in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul. Rappel - The rappel is done here from a 90-meter high platform. It is necessary to have some preliminary training the previous night. Rappel is allowed for children aged eight and up. Equipment included. Duration: whole day. (this is normally offered during transfers to Pantanal lodges)
The Anhumas Abyss with snorkeling or diving (requirement for diving: open water diver)
An opening on the ground, a vertical abyss of 72 meters, a true trip to the center of the Earth. The descent is made by rappel as far down as a lake with crystal waters with a surface of 7.000m2. Under the surface, divers will be confronted by enormous conical structures of up to 16 meters high. Visibility of up to 60 meters. In the dry area there are several speleothemes, real nature-carved sculptures. The night before the tour there is a hands-on rappel training sessions. All necessary equipment included. Duration of tour: half-a-day
DON'T FORGET:
A small rucksack, walking boots or tennis shoes which won't slide, flashlight, water bottle, anorak, bathing suit, a small towel, insect repellent, shorts, cap, sunfilter and a camera.