MATO GROSSO DO SUL STATE

PANTANAL

Accommodation: I went to 3 accommodations in Pantanal. Caiman was the most sophisticated one, Xaraés second. Fazenda San Francisco had more of a backpacking style as the property owners prefer to keep it as close as what a farm experience is in this region.
Caiman has few very interesting conservationists’ projects like Jaguar Project and the Blue-Fronted Parrot Project, http://www.caiman.com.br/projetos_ambientais.aspx?pt=2.

BONITO

Accommodation: Bonito city is a small village surrounded by amazing landscape. Wetiga Hotel is a very sophisticated hotel that really impresses considering the size of the city. I would say that the business people who invested in this hotel might have had a strong believe and a vision on the tourism potential of Bonito. If it was the case, I would not be a surprised.
Bonito means beautiful in English and I believe it was a well chosen name!

Attractions: The Boca da Onça (Jaguar Month) is a 156m high water fall. Now is the dry season so you can actually see the jaguar month shape!
The Sucuri River is where you can do floatation through amazing crystal clear water.
The Projeto Jibóia is about a snake (constrictor) passionate guy who, at the age of 16, visited Australia and felt in love with snakes. Since then he always wanted to have.. snakes… as pets and eventually teach people about their habits, encouraging respect for them in the environment etc. today, at the age of 40 he has 40 snakes and after a 1h seminar anyone can take a picture holding one of his constrictors… I thought I would not be able to do it but I must say it was a liberating experience.

BAHIA

SALVADOR

Accommodation: all the accommodations below, with various stars, are great options for different tastes. Pousada das Flores, Casa do Amarelindo, Pousada do Pilar, Pousada Redfish are owned by foreigners who ended up living in Brazil and invested in these hotels right in the middle of the Historical Centre of Pelourinho. For the people who really wants to experience Salvador, I believe they are great options to be considered. Catussaba is an amazing resort 45 minutes driving from the Historical Centre of Pelourinho. Convento do Carmo is a 5 stars hotel. It used to be a convent dating back to the 16th century including some little chapels with original paintings, however it still holds a feeling of peaceful atmosphere as a convent normally does.

Restaurants:

SOLAR UNHÃO
Av. Do Contorno, 8
Salvador – Bahia
Tel: (55 71) 3329 5551
reservas@solardounhao.com.br
www.solardounhao.com.br
obs: includes show on condomblé, capoeira and maculele.

MARIA MATA MOURA Restaurant
Rua da Ordem Terceira, 08
Historical Centre – Pelourinho
Salvador – Bahia
40026-260
Tel: (55 71) 3321 3929
www.mariamatamouro.com.br