Things to do in  Bonito

Recanto Ecológico Rio da Prata is a protected reserve located among the lush forests of Jardim, an area so-named for the Portuguese word for garden. The family-run ranch offers eco-friendly snorkeling in the crystalline river, as well as sightseeing options that increase your chances of spotting rare wildlife.

Just outside Bonito, the Rio Sucuri is a freshwater paradise where crystal clear turquoise-tinged waters teeming with fish and vibrant underwater gardens meet an emerald jungle filled with monkeys, sloths, and brightly colored macaws. Tours on the river involve a boat trip upriver before snorkeling, floating, or boating back to base.

One of the largest flooded caves on the planet, Blue Lake Grotto—or Gruta do Lago Azul—is named for the way sunlight reflects on the water, turning it bright blue. Only discovered by humans in 1924, the cave was previously home to prehistoric megafauna—including saber-tooth tigers and giant sloths—with ancient bones found in the depths.

Deep in the heart of Brazil roars the Boca da Onca. Translated to “mouth of the jaguar,” this beautiful, ferocious natural waterfall is a true hidden gem, with cascading water falling 515 feet (156 meters) over a rocky cliff face into a crystal clear pool. Trek to the falls on forest trails and take a swim—a unique experience for any explorer.

Brazil’s Rio Formoso Ecological Park is a nature-lovers paradise with lush rainforest and pristine waters. Adrenaline lovers flock to the park to whitewater raft on the rapids of the Rio Formoso, but there’s just as much to explore in the calmer waters, too. Snorkel, swim, horseback ride, or simply take in the natural beauty of the area.

One of Bonito’s most unique attractions, Anhumas Abyss is a spectacular underground water world where you can go snorkeling and diving in a crystalline lake filled with giant stalactites and stalagmites. Not for the faint of heart, the only catch is that you have to rappel in—and out—via a narrow crack in the earth's surface.

Located within a sprawlingfazenda (ranch) 32 miles (51 kilometers) outside of Bonito, the Recanto Ecológico Rio da Prata offers prime snorkeling in Brazil. Travelers float down crystalline rivers while observing some 50 species of tropical fish, including giant dourados and large schools of pacus. Along the shores, exotic birds, tapirs, monkeys, and other animals can be spotted among the trees.

So-called because of the unknown depths it reaches, Brazil’s Lagoa Misteriosa (Mysterious Lagoon) is one of Bonito’s most impressive natural wonders. The lagoon shimmers in various shades of blue due to the presence of rocks and sediment containing lime, while its crystalline waters offers visibility of up to 131 feet (40 meters).

The Aquário Natural—or natural aquarium—is a freshwater paradise in the heart of the jungle where visitors can float through an underwater world full of rare and tropical fish and freshwater stingrays. One of Bonito’s ecotourism hotspots, visiting the Aquário Natural also includes a wildlife-spotting hike through savannas and jungle.

Balneario Municipal is a surprisingly easy-to-reach natural swimming hole deep in Brazil's rainforest. The Balneario Real is a collection of natural pools and waterfalls. It is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike, thanks to its abundance of family activities, including zip lines and barbecue spots.

The Rio do Peixe, or Peixe River, is a wildlife lover’s dream. Set in the heart of the lush rainforest of Brazil’s central region, there are dense canopies of trees, trails that follow fast-moving rivers, and waterfalls that rain down into crystal clear pools full of colorful fish. After all, Peixe’s name literally means “river of fish.”