Accommodations in Pantanal

• Hotel rating: Good Standard

Located 225km west of Campo Grande and 35km from the town of Miranda, the 53,000 hectare Caiman Ecological Refuge sits in the heart of the southern Pantanal, offering a diverse landscape of savannah lowlands, seasonal wetlands and rich forested areas. Wildlife in the area includes caimans (a native alligator species), anacondas, American rheas (three-toed American ostriches), hyacinth macaws, capibaras and deer. Caiman Ecological Refuge is a working cattle farm, an important centre for nature conservation projects and home to two excellent eco-lodges.The two comfortable lodges are built on stilts and located 22km apart. Baiazinha Lodge offers 6 guestrooms, while Cordilheira Lodge offers 5 suite guestrooms. Each lodge has its own restaurant, bar and swimming pool. Activities from the lodge include nocturnal outings, trekking and boat trips, all of which are accompanied by ecological or expert native guides. Important conservation projects at Caiman focus on the stunning blue hyacinth macaws and Americas' biggest predator, the elusive jaguar. During high season (June to September) special astronomy workshops and jaguar tracking programmes are available.

• Hotel rating: Simple

This completely renovated pousada is located in one of the most beautiful geographical regions of the Pantanal. The 17 comfortable air-conditioned rooms are located in 3 separate buildings, just a few metres away from the Abobral River. There is a swimming pool and the restaurant has a lovely view over the front garden of the lodge and serves a buffet of traditional Pantanal meals. The program at Xaraes includes two activities per day which may include photographic safari, walking trails, Canadian canoe tour, horse riding, piranha fishing, motorboat tour and nocturnal spotlight tour. Activities are accompanied by bilingual guides and local guides. Activities are not fixed and may vary according to the weather conditions. Helmets are not provided locally for the horse riding activity; we recommend that you take your own helmet. Please check your insurance policy since some are not valid unless helmets are worn.

• Hotel rating: Simple

Hotel Porto Jofre is located on the banks of the Cuiabá river in the northern Pantanal, 245km from Cuiabá (over half on unpaved roads) at the end of the Transpantaneira Road. The hotel has 28 individual simple bungalows, each with terrace and hammocks, while facilities include a swimming pool and restaurant. The area is renowned as being one of the best in the Pantanal for sightings of jaguars. The hotel is also a favoured destination for sport fishing as well as exploring the rivers Cuiabá, São Lourenço, Três Irmãos, Piquiri, Negrinho and Paraguay by boat. Please note that guests are only permitted to take one small item of luggage each - excess luggage can be stored in Cuiabá.

• Hotel rating: Simple

Barra Mansa is a traditional, family-run lodge in a beautiful, remote and peaceful location overlooking the Rio Negro and the seasonally flooded vazante wetlands in the southern Pantanal. The lodge can accommodate a maximum of 17 guests in 6 simple but comfortable rooms with air conditioning, fan and private bathroom with hot showers, or in a private 2-bedroom house. The lodge facilities include a lounge and library, outdoor hammock areas, a bar and restaurant serving typical regional cuisine prepared with fresh local ingredients, wireless internet access and satellite TV. Private excursions with dedicated guides are arranged to match guests interests and include explorations of the surrounding forest, lagoons and wetlands on foot, by boat, by 4x4 vehicle or on horseback, to search for the abundant birds and wildlife. Fishing expeditions are also available. The lodge can be accessed by a 5-hour road transfer from Campo Grande, or by panoramic flight on a twin-engine light aircraft from Campo Grande, Bonito or Aquidauana to the lodge’s private airstrip. During the wet season access is exclusively by small aircraft. Luggage restrictions apply if arriving by air - please travel with small- to medium-sized mouldable bags or backpacks.

• Hotel rating: Simple

Situated along the Transpantaneira Road, 132km south of Cuiaba in the northern Pantanal, Araras Eco Lodge is built in a rustic style and offers comfortable and authentic accommodation from which to explore the natural surroundings. There are 19 air-conditioned rooms and facilities include a swimming pool, bar, restaurant, a large veranda with hammocks as well as two treetop lookouts for panoramic views. The programme of group excursions includes birdwatching, truck safaris, boat trips and night tours led by expert naturalist guides.