National park · Brazil
Pantanal Matogrossense National ParkParque Nacional do Pantanal Matogrossense
Visit Pantanal Matogrossense National Park only after confirming entry fee and permit requirements; plan a dry‑season visit (June–Oct) and arrange a local guide for any off‑road activities.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
More
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1,356 km² (524 sq mi)524 sq mi (1,356 km²)
approximate
Established
1981
Best months
Jun–Oct
UNESCO
Biosphere
Rules in force · 7Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…
- South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
- South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
- South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
- Brazil ↗US, Canadian and Australian citizens need an e-visa (about US$81 — check) applied for online at the official VFS portal before travel; EU and UK citizens do not. Check your passport with Brazil's Ministry of Foreign Affairs before booking.
- Brazil ↗Yellow fever vaccination is recommended for many areas, including the Amazon and Pantanal; check with a travel clinic at least 10 days before travel.
- Brazil ↗Keep your phone out of sight in the street and on beaches; phone theft is the most common crime against visitors in big cities.
- Brazil ↗Carnival 2027 runs about 5–10 February (Tuesday 9 February; Salvador from 4 February): book Rio, Salvador and Recife/Olinda months ahead or avoid those dates.
At a glance
- Country
- Brazil
- Area
- 1,356 km² (524 sq mi)524 sq mi (1,356 km²)
- Park covers 135,606 ha (≈ 1,356 km²); some sources round to 1,350 km² (check).
- Established
- 1981
- Best months
- Jun–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Corumbá
Pantanal Matogrossense National Park protects a vast wetland mosaic of swamps, grasslands and rivers in western Mato Grosso, offering high wildlife density and dry‑season hiking opportunities.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Ramsar wetlandInternational wetland of importance
- UNESCO Biosphere ReservePart of Pantanal Biosphere Reserve
Size and age
1,356 km² (524 sq mi)524 sq mi (1,356 km²) · national park since 1981
Park covers 135,606 ha (≈ 1,356 km²); some sources round to 1,350 km² (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Corumbá.
Why go
- Experience vast wetlands with high wildlife density.
- See jaguar, giant otter, caiman and over 460 bird species.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarCaution
- AprGo
- MayGo
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanRainy, many areas flooded.
- FebRainy, limited road access.
- MarTransition, some trails muddy.
- AprEarly dry season, fewer crowds.
- MayDrying, road passable.
- JunDry season, full trail access.
- JulDry, wildlife active.
- AugPeak dry, best wildlife viewing.
- SepDry, comfortable heat.
- OctEnd of dry season, still good.
- NovRain returns, some trails close.
- DecRainy, many areas inaccessible.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jaguar, ocelot, giant otter, caimanAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Marsh deer, giant anteater, giant armadilloAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| 460+ bird species including parrots, herons, spoonbillsAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Corumbá Airport (CMG)
Taxi, shuttle or local transport to park entrance; road open only in dry season.
check
Open the page →
From Cuiabá (capital of Mato Grosso)
Bus to Corumbá then local transport to gate; road condition depends on season.
check
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Park entrance area | Gate, visitor information desk, trailheads. | Open with permit. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates from ICMBio site; approximate for orientation.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry fee | Free | person | Amount not published online (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit permit or guide
Park rules
- Guides
- Required for horseback rides and for any off‑road hiking.
- Camping
- Not allowed outside designated lodges; stay in Corumbá or Cáceres.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use stoves only in approved areas.
Where to stay
Near the park
Corumbá town
Hotels, pousadas and guesthouses within 15 km (9.3 mi) of the park gate.Hotels, pousadas and guesthouses within 9.3 mi (15 km) of the park gate.
Near the park
Cáceres
Lodges and eco‑tours on the broader Pantanal region; not directly on the park boundary (check).
Safety
Heat and sun exposure medium
Snakes and crocodiles medium
Seasonal flooding high
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Park entrance reachable by car; trails are unpaved and may be difficult for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Use guides who follow permitted routes; avoid littering and respect wildlife distances.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Pantanal Matogrossense National Park?
Entry fee is not listed online; obtain the current amount at the gate (check).
What are the best hikes in Pantanal Matogrossense National Park?
Dry‑season trails from the entrance to the riverbanks are most accessible; a guided 4–6 h hike is recommended.
When is the best time to visit Pantanal Matogrossense National Park?
June to October, the dry season, offers full road access and optimal wildlife viewing.
Can I visit the park without a guide?
Guides are required for horseback rides and off‑road hikes; a short trail from the gate can be done solo in dry months.
How do I get to the park from the nearest airport?
From Corumbá Airport, take a taxi or shuttle (≈ 30 min) to the park entrance; road is open only in dry season.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Pantanal Matogrossense National Park
Loading…
Was this useful?