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Voykit pocket guide · Brazil
Bonito
Spend 2–3 days in Bonito for snorkeling, caves and the sinkhole; longer only if you want a relaxed pace or extra tours.
Bonito is a small town in Mato Grosso do Sul known for crystal‑clear rivers, snorkeling sites and the Buraco das Araras sinkhole. Most attractions are day trips outside town, so a 2‑day itinerary covers the main floats and one cave, while a 3‑day stay adds a second cave or a horse‑riding tour. Travel is limited to buses, shared vans or a few flights; the town itself is walkable.
- Country
- Brazil
- Best months
- May–August (dry season, clear water)
- Avoid
- December–March (wet season, rain can close sites)
- Stay
- 2–3 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- BRL
- Money
- Currency is the Brazilian real (BRL, R$). About R$5–5.8 per US dollar in 2026 — check. Cards and tap-to-pay are accepted almost everywhere, even at beach kiosks.
- Daily spend
- Budget R$100–200 excl. bed · Mid R$250–400 excl. bed · High R$500+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Vivo, Claro and TIM cover the country; buying a prepaid SIM needs a passport and sometimes a CPF — an eSIM before you fly is easier.
- Emergency
- Police 190 · Ambulance 192 · Fire 193
- Plugs
- Types N, C · 127 V (Rio, São Paulo) or 220 V (Brasília, much of the Northeast) · Check the voltage on the socket; most chargers are dual-voltage.
- Tipping
- Restaurant: 10% service (serviço) usually on the bill; optional but normal.; Beach kiosk / bar: Often included; round up.; Taxi / Uber: Not expected; round up.; Guide: US$5–15 per person per day.; Hotel staff: Small tip for porters.
- Water
- Do not drink tap water; filtered water is provided in most homes and hotels.
- Toilets
- Put toilet paper in the bin, not the toilet, in most places.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Snorkeling float (low season) | R$350–360 |
| Snorkeling float (high season) | R$475–R$500 |
| Balneário Municipal entry | R$62–R$80 |
| Buraco das Araras entry | R$160 year‑round |
| Taxi from Bonito Airport to town | R$100 (approx.) |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- BYO · Bonito Airport
- 20 min drive from town; few weekly flights (LATAM, Azul).
- CGR · Campo Grande Airport
- ≈300 km (186 mi) away, more flight options.≈186 mi (300 km) away, more flight options.
Typical fares
- Bonito Airport → town taxi
- ≈ R$100 (check)
- Shared van Bonito ↔ Campo Grande
- R$100 one‑way (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
The town is walkable; most attractions require a 30‑60 min dirt‑road ride. Shuttle vans run from agencies (often cost ≈ entry fee). Moto‑taxis are common; renting a car is advisable for groups.
See and do
Known for
- Crystal‑clear river snorkeling
- Buraco das Araras sinkhole
- Gruta do Lago Azul cave
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Gruta do Lago Azul | Shuttle van from town agencies, about 30 min | About 1 h |
| Buraco das Araras | Shuttle van from town agencies, about 1 h | About 1.5 h |
| Rio da Prata snorkeling | Shuttle van from town agencies, about 40 min | About 1.5 h |
| Sucuri River snorkeling | Shuttle van from town agencies, about 30 min | About 1 h |
| Campo Grande | Bus (Cruzeiro do Sul) or shared van, about 5 h | About 5.5 h |
Sleep
- Eco Pousada Villa Verde
- Budget double rooms R$70–90; tours available.
- Hotel Pousada Calliandra
- Budget double rooms R$62–100; central location.
- HI Bonito
- Hostel R$30; easy to arrange tours.
- Hotel Pousada Surucua
- Mid‑range double rooms R$280–325.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Desculpedes‑KOO‑pe |
| Thank you | Obrigadooh‑BREE‑goo |
| How much is it? | Quanto custa?KWAHN‑toh KOO‑stah |
| Do you speak English? | Fala inglês?FAH‑la een‑GLAYS |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake, hug or cheek kiss (one in São Paulo, two in Rio); avoid: Being stiff with new acquaintances
- Gestures: Use thumbs-up freely; avoid: The OK hand sign (it is rude)
- Language: Try Portuguese; say obrigado/obrigada; avoid: Defaulting to Spanish
- Time: Expect relaxed social punctuality; avoid: Being late for tours and flights
- Beach: Bring only a towel, cash and a copy of your ID; avoid: Leaving things unattended
Scams and watch-outs
- Rain in the wet season can close river sites and make dirt roads impassable.
- Snorkeling float prices often exclude transport; confirm total cost.
- Guides may not speak English; ask before booking.
Bonito is low‑crime, but keep valuables hidden on tours and watch for slippery rocks at river sites. The main risk is heat and dehydration; carry water.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Bonito yet. Suggested stay: 2–3 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Crystal‑clear river snorkeling
- Buraco das Araras sinkhole
- Gruta do Lago Azul cave
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikidata – Bonito: www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1234567
- Wikivoyage: Bonito (Mato Grosso do Sul), revision 5333573 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5333573
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/bonito-mato-grosso-do-sul). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.