Apartment in Mato Grosso do Sul

Mato Grosso do Sul brings together three very different kinds of travel experience: the southern Pantanal with wetlands, boat, jeep, horseback and hiking tours; Bonito and Jardim with clear rivers, natural pools, grottoes and lakes; and the capital axis as a practical base. If you are traveling with children, this three-part division makes it much easier to choose between a nature stay and a city base. For context within the country, the overview of accommodation in Brazil will guide you.

Quick facts about Mato Grosso do Sul

  • The southern Pantanal is an important natural wetland area with boat, jeep, horseback and hiking tours.
  • Bonito and Jardim are known for clear rivers, natural pools, grottoes and lakes.
  • The area around the capital is highlighted as a base for rural tourism, ecotourism and events.
  • Depending on the season, the Pantanal can feel greener or richer in wildlife.
  • Some Pantanal trips are lodge-oriented and start via Campo Grande.

Which base in Mato Grosso do Sul works for families

For families, the key question is whether you want easy orientation, intensive days in nature, or a city base. That is exactly where the main parts of the state differ.

The capital axis for a flexible start

The area around the capital is highlighted as a base for rural tourism, ecotourism and events. Campo Grande is the practical city base for this; Corguinho and Terenos complement the capital axis.

Pantanal and ranch culture

River channel and wetland vegetation in the Pantanal.
A wetland river scene in the Pantanal, showing the region’s flooded landscape. — Photo: MarinelsonAlmeidaSilva, Commons page, CC BY-SA 4.0

For a Pantanal and ranch focus, Aquidauana is a particularly good fit, because there the Pantanal can also be experienced as ranch and horseback culture. Also included in the same Pantanal context are Aquidauana, Corumbá, Miranda and Porto Murtinho.

Clear-water and nature days

Red-and-green macaw in Bonito, Mato Grosso do Sul.
A red-and-green macaw photographed in Bonito, illustrating the area’s birdlife and nature-based travel. — Photo: Dario Sanches from São Paulo, Brazil, Commons page, CC BY-SA 2.0

If you are planning days with clear rivers, natural pools, grottoes and lakes, Bonito and Jardim are the right bases. Depending on the season, the Pantanal can feel greener or richer in wildlife; that helps you choose the pace of your trip between nature experiences and quieter days.

A city stop inland

Dourados is described as a culturally strong inland city and is therefore better suited as a city stopover than as a pure nature base.

More places in Mato Grosso do Sul

If you want to look at the region more broadly, here are more places:

Angélica · Aparecida do Taboado · Batayporã · Cassilândia · Costa Rica · Eldorado · Gregório · Itaporã · Ladário · Maracaju · Morro Azul · Mundo Novo · Naviraí · Paranaíba · Ponta Porã · Rebojo · Rio Verde De Mato Grosso · São Gabriel do Oeste · Três Lagoas

Frequently asked questions about Mato Grosso do Sul

What makes Mato Grosso do Sul especially appealing for families?

The region combines the southern Pantanal with clear-water and nature experiences around Bonito and Jardim, plus a practical capital axis. In parts of the Pantanal, ranch culture is also part of the experience.

What are Bonito and Jardim best for?

For days with clear rivers, natural pools, grottoes and lakes. The experience changes depending on the season.

What are Aquidauana and Miranda best for?

For a quieter Pantanal style with ranch and horseback culture and a stronger focus on nature.

What role does Campo Grande play on a trip through the region?

Campo Grande is a practical city base. The area around the capital is highlighted for rural tourism, ecotourism and events.