Central-West Brazil

Brazil's inland nature region, made up of the Pantanal wetlands, the clear rivers of Bonito, the waterfalls of the Chapada dos Veadeiros plateau and the capital, Brasília.

Following the IBGE (Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics) five-region division, Central-West Brazil includes the states of Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul and Goiás, plus the Federal District (Brasília), the heart of Brazil's inland plateau and wetlands. The biggest attraction is the Pantanal, one of the largest tropical wetlands in the world, where in the dry season you can spot jaguars, caimans, capybaras, giant otters and flocks of ibis and storks. The northern Pantanal is mostly entered from Cuiabá, staying at ecolodges along the Transpantaneira highway, while the southern Pantanal is reached via Campo Grande or Corumbá. In Mato Grosso do Sul, Bonito is known for its crystal-clear rivers and caves; float snorkeling, the Blue Lake Cave and the Macaw Sinkhole are the signature activities, and visitor numbers at each site are limited, so book ahead. In Goiás, the Chapada dos Veadeiros plateau is part of the Cerrado protected areas, a World Heritage Site, known for its quartzite canyons, waterfalls and starry skies, and it suits two to three days of hiking; the old towns of Goiás and Pirenópolis preserve colonial-era streets. Brasília is a modernist capital designed by Niemeyer and Costa, also a World Heritage Site. A classic itinerary is 3–4 days in the Pantanal, 3 days in Bonito, and 3 days in Brasília plus Chapada dos Veadeiros, about 10 days in all. The region is vast, so connect cities mainly by domestic flights, then rent a car or join local tours. May–Sep, the dry season, is the best time to see wildlife, while in the rainy season the wetland scenery is magnificent but transport is limited. Be sure to use sun and mosquito protection, and watch for wildfires that may break out late in the dry season.

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