MIDWEST OF BRAZIL - General Information

A SANCTUARY PARADISE
There are several gates to the huge Brazilian rainforest. One of the best alternatives is an unparalleled wildlife sanctuary: the Pantanal, located in Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul, that borders Paraguay and Bolivia. A beautiful area, with 230 000 km2, almost the size of Britain. Habit of millions of species of trees, plants, birds, cats, snakes, reptiles and insects.

PREPARE YOUR HEART
The Parque Nacional do Pantanal. The Pantanal is the ideal choice for those who want the intimate contact with nature and isolation from the bustle of modern cities. The area had been an inland sea, separated from the ocean by mountain ranges 400 million years ago.

FISHING
Few regions in the world offer such a quantity of fish like the Pantanal. There are about 240 species: piranhas, pacus, gilded, and others. But beware: fishing is only allowed between the months of February and October. It is mandatory to take a licence. And remember: Each fisherman is entitled to hook up to 30 kg of fish.

HUNTING
It is forbidden to hunt in the Pantanal. Limit to observe an animal population estimated at around 600 000 capybaras, deers 35 000 and 35 000 marsh deer, and 10 million alligators, 80 species of mammals and 50 species of reptiles, including anacondas 8 metres-long. Photograph as much as you can!

FEATHERS AND DOWN
Wake up with the singing of thousands of birds that are aroused by an unspeakable sunshine. Go for a ride on calm waters to observe 650 species of birds, among them, herons, cormorants, lapwing, emus, eagles, hummingbirds and the huge Jabiru, the symbol of the Pantanal. One of the most precious wildlife of the planet are in the Pantanal, where more than 6,000 blue macaws are still preserved.

LOCAL PEOPLE
The locals of Pantanal live with the cycles of the Paraguay River, which during the rainy season, between October and April, covers a large part of their 230.000km2. From religious soul, deep knowledge of herbs and prayer, the locals share a life with the fauna and flora, and a common profession. Their majority are cowboys with large ranches. Their cattle herd are estimated today at more than 6 million heads. Actors of great skill of an improvised show that deserves to be appreciated: the pursuit and capture of wild oxes.

THE LOW LANDS OF THE NORTH
North and Northwest regions of the Pantanal have a vegetation similar to the Amazon. In Poconé, the visitor will find companies specialized in tours down the Corumbá and St. Lawrence rivers. The fauna and flora are exuberant. Go down the Paraguay River, on a boat ride that can last up to 8 hours.

ACCOMMODATION
The alternatives are numerous. There are many hotels, B&B and boat-hotels. Very simple and comfortable, however adapted to the environment. In addition, many hotels offer horses for rides.

PRECAUTIONS
Tropical region, hot and humid climate, with average annual temperatures of 24ºC, the Pantanal requires care. Lightweight clothing in cotton. Hat and sunscreen are essential. Do not forget to bring a water bottle to drink water. If you intend to do camping, it is desirable to have fire, but caution: fire in the jungle demands attention, For walking wear trekking boots or comfortable shoes.

PIRANHAS
Fish that turned into a dish soup are extremely tasty, piranhas are a danger for anyone venturing into the calm waters of the Pantanal. Although not all rivers hide such fish, it is crucial to know in which sites they proliferate. Get information before you dive. In land, also are hidden risks, wild oxen, wild pigs, snakes and jaguars. Avoid walking without the company of a guide.

THE CAPITALS OF PANTANAL
Cuiabá, capital of mato Grosso, was in the eighteenth century, an important center of the old gold route. Nowadays, it is an important hub and agricultural center for studies and ecological research. Campo Grande, capital of Mato Grosso do Sul, is a small town with wide streets and tree boulevards. A agro-livestock center, the town has an important house of culture, the Dom Bosco Museum, where are exposed ethnographic collections of birds, fish and reptiles.

BRASILIA
Brasilia, a capital created ex nihilo in the centre of the country in 1956, was a landmark in the history of town planning. Urban planner Lucio Costa and architect Oscar Niemeyer intended that every element – from the layout of the residential and administrative districts (often compared to the shape of a bird in flight) to the symmetry of the buildings themselves – should be in harmony with the city’s overall design. The official buildings, in particular, are innovative and imaginative.

SHOPPING
In major cities around the Pantanal are sold crafts in clay, leather and wood. In Corumba, a city close to Bolivia, give preference to the tapestries and silver and wool objects created by indigenous Bolivians. Also, in Corumbá, crafts of Brazilian Indians, are sold: ceramics and wooden sculptures. In Cochin, an area that has been dominated by Kayapo Indians, the local handicraft is found in the Craftsman house.