How could I forget to tell you about Bonito (Mato Grosso do Sul)! I'm afraid you're going to be crazy, LOL. It is a wonderful town, the best eco-tourism we have in Brazil and it is very close to Pantanal. 4-5 nights there is enough to do great river snorkelling with big fishs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGRmRGBjYuU

see waterfalls, blue grotto and lots of sports. For my taste, I would trade Morro de Sao Paulo for Bonito in a heart beat, but keep in mind that both are very different things. Be warned that it is expensive, but worth every dollar. If you go there, I suggest you flying to Campo Grande, then taking the bus to Bonito, or buying with an agency a full package with transport.

Could not find good information in english, but this link in portuguese is very informative if you could read it using Google Translator:

http://www.mochileiros.com/bonito-ms...co-t61100.html

Wow thanks for the reply, i was getting much needed sleep and woke up and back on google hahaha!

i have been researching about which is better bonito or Morro de Sao Paulo? my friend in Salvador had earlier recommeneded Morro de Sao Paulo as it is very close to Salavador and he loves the place.
I am slightly swayed in going to Morro de Sao Paulo because its close abnd cheaper
What are the differences between the two places as i read both are beautiful and great for snorkelling. Would Bonito be a lot colder than Morro de Sao Paulo ? i have seen pictures of both and they both look amazing!!

Yeah i know i am going to get a shock when i get to Bolivia and the cold willkill me haha i think thats why i am trying to get to as many hot places as possible before going there!

So with Chapada Diamantina would i get the tour booked online before i go or shall i do it in Slavador when i am there?

I will fly to Campo Grande based on your advice
So with Pantanal again will i book when i arrive with the places you suggested?

wow your photos are incredible!I think i will emigrate to Brazil at this stage haha

again thanks so much for the continued advice!!

Also I am looking now to start booking hostels in the places i have already booked flights such as rio....Do you any nice places that are cheap I am using booking.com but wondering what website the locals use to book as it maybe be slightly cheaper

Obrigadoooo

Bonito and Morro are very different trips. While Morro is close to Salvador, Bonito is close to Campo Grande, where you'll have to fly into anyway. My choice would be Bonito because it is different from everything else you'll experience in Brazil. There you may do one of the most unique activities in Brazil, I would say, in the world. One of the most expensive as well... hell expensive, more than I could pay when I was there. But everyone who has paid for it says it is very worthwhile and would do it again.

http://www.abismoanhumas.com.br/#!__english

Snorkeling in Morro and Bonito is different. The former has warm natural pools on the beach, while in the latter you'll float along rivers with crystal clear (and always cold) water (but neoprene suits are included in the price).

http://bonitoweb.com.br/riodaprata/i...os/22_1029.jpg

http://www.360cities.net/pt/image/fl...7.65,3.13,65.2

There are lots of adventure sports to do there as well: rafting, scuba diving, off-road ATV races, take a look at the full list:

http://www.packtours.com.br/dest/mat...odosul/bonito/

Outside the water, there is no difference from Rio's temperature in june, I believe. Expect it to be very cold in Bolivia and Peru, only, because of altitude.

Morro is a similar experience that you'll have in other places - beaches, a few trails... Of course the beaches are not the same.

I would wait until I get to Salvador to book that tour, because weather may play a role in your choices. It is usually dry in june, but you know, weather is unpredictable.

The best budget places in Rio are couchs . https://www.couchsurfing.org/

It works well in Rio, you do not have to be afraid. I have no hostel recommendations, all I have to tell you is to stay in one of the Zona Sul neighborhoods (Flamengo, Catete, Copacabana, Leblon, Ipanema, Botafogo, etc). This is the most expensive part of Rio, but also the best for tourism, close to everything, with good public transport links.

We usually look for hostels at http://www.hostelworld.com/ . Booking.com is not bad at all, but it is not the best for hostels.

Once again you have persuaded me haha ok Bonito it is!! So how much will it cost for the package and who do you recommend?
Sp from Salvador i will to Campo Grande go direct to Bonito abd then after a few days i go back to Campo Grande to visit the Pantenal then into Bolivia......sounds easy...not!! The journeys will be long but i cannot wait cos even the overnight buses are an experience in itself!

Hey i eanted to add that your english is perfect and i wish one day my spanish gets there
Ahhh couchsurfing wow i didnt know it was used in south america thats awesome, will start planning!!

If u r in rio or salvador diring any part of my trip it would be pleasure to get a drink!

Wow, a lot of advice! To throw more ideas at you..since you like nature and animals, a suggestion is to go to the Pantanal out of Cuiaba, because then you can see 3 very different ecosystems in Brazil.

The Cerrado is savannah like with lots of animals, and great waterfalls. Chapada dos Guimaraes National Park is about a hour bus ride from Cuiaba. Then the Pantanal right there out of Cuiaba (amazing places to see right on the main road, the transpantaneira).

Then, with a very short flight or 10 hour bus ride north of Cuiaba, you can visit one of the best parts of the Amazon out of the city of Alta Floresta. This is the southern Amazon, and it is well protected which means you are likely to see many species of monkeys, lots and lots of birds, tapirs, etc. We stayed in the dorm rooms (private room, shared bath) at Cristalino Jungle Lodge, which had amazing guides and great trails and a 50 meter tower from which to observe the rainforest.

I have also visited the Amazon in Ecuador (several lodges), Bolivia (Rurrenabaque), and Manaus, and I saw far more wildlife in Cristalino than the others.

I have a lot to learn, but thank you. Helping you is also a good way to improve my english, hence it's a win-win situation.

I've forgotten to tell you about transports in Bonito. There is no public transport, you have to rent a car or pay for shared transfers. We rented a car, which is cheaper than transfers. I'm afraid it will be very expensive, considering you're already travelling for 3 months. I'm sorry. Maybe it will be better to go back to the original plan, going to Morro de Sao Paulo.

Anyway, talking about prices in Bonito, it depends on what you would do. Take a look at the list:

http://www.ajbonito.com.br/ingles/index.php?idcanal=201

Always confirm prices by e-mail, there are changes every 6 months.

All agencies offer the same price for tours, which are regulated by the city council. However, some have better costumer service than others. At least for brazilians, terereturismo.com.br/‎ and www.bonitour.com.br/‎ are fine. I've done it with Agencia Ar, but they are not working anymore.

Couchsurfing works well in big cities in the whole world. I believe you'll find something in Salvador, maybe in Foz do Iguazu too.

I'm going to Europe in may/june, but I really appreciate the invitation. Where are you from?

I have changed my trip yet again to cover only the following countries
Argentina , Brazil , Peru and Bolivia Now that I have more time in Brazil i have since booked flights and accommodation to Fernando de Noronha woo hoo!!
Thanks so much for all the ideas and info you have posted i have gone back to your original recommendation of FN so my plan is Foz de Iguazu, Rio , Salavador , FN, Campo Grande , Pantanal and then exit into Bolivia via Corumba ( I have the booked flights too)
I am living in the UK at the moment so in need of some sun and beaches;-)
I hope you have a fantastic trip in Europe and once again thanks to you and everyone for all your help...legends!!

Glad to see that you have an itinerary now. I'm pretty sure that you are going to enjoy it.

Don't forget to take into account the many taxes in FN.

If you still are in need of something, don't hesitate to post here.

Cheers!

just get there and then take your time...do a recon order...you have a basic plan on what you want to see...enjoy where you are, then continue on...repeat...I have a friend now in Peru, that has done this trip just this way...she (a women of 65 yrs old) has changed her ticket 5 times already..she started out from Mexico, to Santiago, Chile, to Buenos Aires, now in Ollyatemtambo (bad spelling) in Peru..you have 3 months...let it lead you...have fun...

Hi uademochila I am in need of your help! I am torn between Corumba and Campo Grande in terms of the Panatanal- I will be visiting Bolivia after Brazil so shall i go straight to Croumba from Campo Grande ( I have a flight there from Slavador) or shall i see the Pantanal in Campo Grande and after travel to Corumba to exit into Bolivia?

debragartin - Thanks so much for the advice, I get lost sometimes with my plans! You are right to be honest where ever i end up it will be an adventure for me

There is no Pantanal in Campo Grande. This is the city where you'll fly into, which happens to be the capital of the Mato Grosso do Sul state.

From Campo Grande, in order to see Pantanal, you have to take a bus (or pay for a shuttle) to either Aquidauana, Miranda or Corumbá, depending on the farmhouse you have booked. Please, take a look:

http://images.negociol.com/270537_w6...z_monteiro.jpg

It is a matter of choice. I would choose the best farm that suits your needs (or budget). You'll need to book a shuttle to leave the farm anyway, because almost every farm is deep inside the Pantanal wetlands.

A budget option in Corumba is the Fazenda 4 Cantos:

http://fazenda4cantos.com/

A budget option in Miranda is the Fazenda Santa Clara:

http://www.pantanal-pousadasantaclara.com.br/

The most famous farm, tourist-oriented, is the San Francisco:

http://www.fazendasanfrancisco.tur.br/

Here are more options:

http://www.lastfrontiers.com/hotels.php?r=21

Since you do not speak portuguese, I believe that shuttle from Campo Grande airport to the farm and from the farm to Corumbá, where you'll catch the train to Bolivia, is the best option.

Hi thanks so much for the map, wow now i get an appreciation of the size of the place!

There is no review for Fazenda 4 Cantos on Tripadvisor so I am very relunctant to book with them haha
When you say budget option , how much is this per person for a 4 day trip? I cant seem to find any prices online , an average figure would help me greatly!

Are there any othe tour companies you can recommend?

Thanks so much!!!

Most fazendas do not have any reviews in internet. However, using the search tools I could find recommendations about them in another forums:

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntr...#post_20902662

You may also read more about that farm in Facebook, using translator:

https://www.facebook.com/FazendaEcologica4Cantos

Most accomodations websites in Brazil do not show prices, don't know why. Yes, that sucks. This guy said he paid R$ 750,00 for 5 days in 4 Cantos, everything included except transfers: accomodation, guide, trips, food, etc.

http://www.mochileiros.com/pantanal-...to-t74236.html

This is the price list that Santa Clara showed me in april 2013:

O que esta incluso!

Trilhas

Pescaria de Piranha

Passeio de Barco

Safari Fotográfico

Focagem Noturna

Cavalgada

Trilha Ecológica

Acomdação e Refeições

Transporte de ida incluso



Preços de Acomodações e Tours por Pessoa

Acomodação Privativa

3 dias / 2 noites R$650

4 dias / 3 noites R$750



Individual ou Single

3 dias / 2 noites R$780

4 dias / noites R$900


Dormitorios Coletivos

3 dias / 2 noites R$650

4 dias / 3 noites R$550

Camping

3 dias / 2 noites R$350

4 dias / 3 noites R$400

I have no personal recommendations, sorry. The farm where I stayed (23 de Março) is not bad, but it is not close to a river, which is desirable. Rivers atract more animals and offer you more oportunities such as boat trips. All I can say is that in my research the following farms had good recommendations:

Sao Francisco
Santa Clara
Barranco Alto
Refugio da Ilha
Caiman
Pequi
Aguape
Baia Grande

I suggest that you find their websites in Google and mail them all. This is what I have done last trip.

thanks again!!! I have emailed all the suggested Pantanal tour companies!
crazy question...is it better to go to rio and salvador and book accommodation when im there or shall i book in advance?

I would book in advance. Chances are that the hotels with the best relationship between costs and benefits will be fully booked.

In Rio, try to book accomodations in the following neighborhoods:
Flamengo, Ipanema, Leblon, Catete, Largo do Machado, Cosme Velho, Urca.

In Salvador, avoid Pelourinho. Best neighborhoods are Barra and Rio Vermelho.