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Brazil CUIABA Pantanal boat
Brazil CUIABA city
Brazil CUIABA pantanal jaguar
§ 01

Welcome to Cuiabá

The insider's travel guide to Cuiabá

Best known as the gateway to the wildlife of the Pantanal, Cuiaba is worth a day or two of your time. Spend it exploring the city’s colonial architecture around the main square, the indigenous culture museum near Mato Grosso University and the surprisingly excellent dining scene.

§ 02

The Cuiabá atlas

2 picks Places & Experiences You Won't Find Elsewhere
Where
What

  • The unpaved, dirt road Transpantaneira Highway is the only road running through the Pantanal wetlands. Take it slow and you’ll get the chance to see amazing birdlife, anteaters, tucans and much more, but watch out for water crossing on the wooden bridges – they can be quite rickety.

  • Start in the gateway city of Cuiabá, home to impressive colonial architecture, excellent restaurants and a centre of Brazilian cowboy culture. From here, you can head into the Pantanal, starting on the Transpantaneira Highway – the only road in and out of the region. The Pantanal Wetlands are the world’s largest expanse of flooded plains, home to alligators, jaguars and plenty of birdlife. Head back to Cuiaba for your departure to the concrete jungle of Manaus. This port city has a surprising array of sights and markets. From here, you’ll head into the Amazon, exploring wildlife, remote communities and the forbidding jungle. Your adventure options are endless but start with an expedition along the Amazon by boat, trying piranha fishing, canoeing and even jungle survival experiences.

  • Explore the Pantanal on the Transpantaneira Highway

    Explore the Pantanal on the Transpantaneira Highway

  • Amazon and Pantanal itinerary

    Amazon and Pantanal itinerary

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