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Status: Away – Pantanal, Brazil

Estimated reading time: 3.5 minutes

Wild and untamed, Brazil’s mysterious Pantanal region showcases the creatures of South America like you've never seen them before. Thanks to its flat and open terrain, Pantanal is one of the only places in the world where you can easily see jaguars in their natural habitat. If the interview inspires you, explore this exciting new destination for yourself and beat the crowds with a Pantanal tour package from our Brazil destination guide.

Armando Q., from the Air Canada Vacations team, recently visited the Pantanal region of Brazil, and he’ll be sharing his experience, as well as some insider tips for making the most out of your trip to Brazil’s wetland frontier.

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A stunning view of the Pantanal from above

Brazil

Before we set out on this trip, my goal was to see at least one jaguar, but we ended up seeing them almost every day, so I’d consider this a huge success! I got back last May and every time I talk about it, I’m still so excited. It was one of the best trips I’ve taken in my life, but it’s a very niche destination. You really need to be at peace with nature, because it’s going to surround you the entire time.

We flew in from Toronto to São Paolo, where we rested, and then the next day we flew to Cuiabá, the gateway to the Pantanal.

A stunning landscape while sailing on the Cuiaba River

Cuiabá

The city sits on the intersection between 3 of Brazil’s largest ecosystems, so it’s a great place to start your trip from. We had a decadent rodizio-style lunch at Mirante das Aguas on the Cuiabá River, where they source their fish from. After lunch, we visited our first posada, or lodge.

Two capybara sitting together

Posada Piuval

When we arrived, the hosts explained Piuval was an educational lodge to demonstrate to local ranchers how people can coexist with jaguars when there’s safety measures in place.

You can even see jaguars wandering around outside your window at night. After, we went on a night safari and saw many local creatures like maned wolves, giant anteaters, caimans and foxes. It’s an incredible experience, to be in the jungle at night, hearing the animals.

Morning in the Pantanal

The next day, we woke at dawn for a special outing to experience how the different animals in the region start their day. The locals call this the “Wake up of Pantanal”. The macaws fly around and sing, and even the caimans make a lot of noise. In the afternoon, we explored the lodge’s grounds on horseback, and in the evening, we embarked on a birdwatchingexcursion where we saw owls. Brazilian owls are very different from Canadian owls; they’re about the size of a bald eagle, and they’re not shy at all, so it was easy to see them.

From there, it was off to our next lodge.

Santa Rosa Pantanal Hotel

To get here, you drive about 3 hours to the southern tip of the Pantanal, which the locals know as jaguar territory. After a delicious lunch, we joined a river boat safari and saw our first jaguar of the trip within minutes. The jaguar is an opulent creature. It’s breathtakingly beautiful yet undeniably intimidating, and it wasn’t afraid of us at all. Getting to see such an impressive animal like this in its natural habitat was a priceless experience, and worth returning for.

Aymara Lodge

A jaguar yawning on the river bank

Moving on, we headed deeper into jaguar territory and were lucky to spot another one. After checking in, we went on a guided bird-watching safari. With my binoculars, I saw macaws, anacondas, monkeys, tapirs and so much more. You never get used to just how many animals there are around you.

We started the next day early with a morning canoe tour, enjoying the peace and quiet of the scenery, and we even got to see some giant river otters!

Canoeing at dawn in the Pantanal

It was time to move on to our final lodge.

Pousada Siá Mariana

This was one of the most unique hotels I’ve ever stayed at. When you hear the word “lodge,” you might think of something rustic and uncomfortable, but it’s far from the truth. This place was beautifully decorated and overlooks the Cuiabá River. Plus, it stands on stilts so you can see caimans resting beneath you.

After relaxing, we went on our last excursion: a nighttime boat safari in search of caimans. It’s an incredible experience. The guide shines a light into the river and you can see their eyes reflecting back at you. It’s like looking at a city at night.

After that, it was time to return home to Canada. When I come back to the Pantanal, I’d like to go during the dry season. Wet season is better for bird watching, but dry season is when the jaguars lounge on the riverbeds.

Note: This interview was conducted on July 18, 2025. Information and details may have since changed.

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