How much money will I spend in Pantanal?

What can you expect to pay for a trip to Pantanal

Pantanal is expensive. There, that’s the whole blog post. Just kidding. I’ll explain a little bit about the area and why it is more expensive than most other places in Brazil and then I will show you what we spend on our trip.

What to expect from Pantanal

Pantanal is with its 42 million acres the largest tropical wetlands and it spans over three South American countries. Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay. There are millions of people who live in this area and a lot of them know about how special this place is. Having said that, unfortunately the area is still plagued by poachers. A lot of species are rare and according to WWF only 5% of the land is protected by the state. The three countries have started a programme to conserve and develop the area sustainable. Which I’m very happy about because it was amazing. 

Some cool facts about some animals that live there: Pantanal has the highest density of jaguars anywhere in this world. The largest parrot, the hyacinth macaw, is a resident of the area. They estimate that there are more fish in Pantanal than all the rivers in Europe combined.

What makes Pantanal so expensive?

Having read all these facts you probably have guessed this area of Brazil is very special and lots of people come here to see all the wildlife. Because the land mostly is privately owned, the accommodations can decide their own prices for visitors to stay. Most accommodations are in the middle of nowhere and food and other things have to be brought there by car and sometimes by boat. Everything is included; breakfast, lunch and dinner. The staff work at the fazenda (farm) for about a week before they head home again. Every tour you do here needs to be accompanied by a guide because otherwise you would be lost. The guides are trained and licensed to move around in the area. 

Jaguar tour

The jaguar tour is the most expensive of all the tours. First because you need to travel to a specific area within Pantanal for the highest chance to see them. You will go by boat into the national park. Then besides your guide from the accommodation, you need a park guide who usually steers the boat too. They carry walkie-talkies so they can let eachother know if they spotted a rare animal or of course a jaguar. 

We left very early in the morning by car to head to the docks, boarded a boat and spent the whole day in the park. We saw 2 jaguars which was so special. 

There are two ways to go to Pantanal, fly to Bonito to Cuiabá. We did the latter because we heard that it was easier to go to the park but to be honest I don’t know if that is true. Anyway we were picked up by our guide and brought to the pousada. 

How long should you go?

We stayed for 5 days and 4 nights. Because it can be super hot we enjoyed our quiet time in between the tours. We could rest or sit at the little lake and watch more animals coming by. If you don’t have a lot of time, spend at least 3 days here. One day for the Jaguar tour, one day for the jungle walk and to see the sundown and the last day to do the boat trip and the horseback riding tour. The ride back to Cuiabá is also quite long so it will be tiresome. It’s better to have a day or 2 extra.

What cost did we have in total?

Cost in Pantanal and where we spend it on? These cost are for 2 people. Please note: these prices where from 2022 and of course they will change over time and it will depend on what time of the year you will be going.

* Includes; transfer from airport to the Pousada and back, welcome drink, breakfast, lunch and dinner. There was water, tea and coffee available with the meals but other drinks you need the purchase. Also water for your tours you need to buy. Horseback riding tour, boat trip, morning hike, jungle walk and night tour on the property. 

** Includes; transfer to the dock and back, boat and park guide and lunch 

We knew in advance it would be expensive and we looked for cheaper options but we didn’t find a place where we liked the prices, the accommodation and where they spoke English. Most accommodations have similar prices. Not all of them have English speaking guides.

Where did we stay?

We loved seeing so much of Pantanal! It definitely is in my top 10 places to visit in Brazil. I hope you will be able to visit this animal-filled place too. The fazenda/ pousada we stayed at was so nice, the staff was lovely, the guide super knowledgeable and the tours where arranged professionally. Check out their website for more information: Ueso Pantanal.

Is Pantanal accessible for wheelchair users? The short answer is no.

We actually had a wonderful fazenda where you would be able to get to. They had little paths directed to the little lake where you could potentially see lots of wildlife. Check with your accommodation if they have something similar.

Attractions*

Bad, it will not be possible for wheelchair users to do most tours in the jungle

Café’s and restaurants

You need check with your accommodation what the possibilities are.

Public transport

In Pantanal there is only public transport in the bigger cities and they don’t have any ramps.

Toilets

If you go inside malls or other public places you will have a designated toilet for wheelchair users.

*And museums

Items I love while traveling

Feet hammock airplane

This airplane hammock for your feet is great for when you are traveling long flights. I love that it can be hung over the airplane table and I can rest my feet when I’m tired. It is adjustable and it is really comfortable.

Collapsible handheld fan

I don’t know about how you deal with heat but I need a bit of cooling down when I’m traveling. This easy (and cute) fan is my go to for when I am too hot. It can be charged with usb which is super practical.

Airplane pocket

Being organized always makes me happy and when I saw this amazing pocket for over your airplane table I was sold. You place it over the table (so you instantly have a clean table) and you can add all you need, when you have a long flight.