Aquário Natural

The basics

Part of the Reserva Ecológica Baía Bonita, the Aquário Natural is close to the meeting place between the Baía Bonita, Formoso, and Formosinho Rivers. The stretch of the river is home to more than 60 different types of fish and underwater gardens full of exotic plants and grasses. Like the freshwater version of a coral reef, you can go snorkeling and float on the crystal-clear water, enjoying a fisheye perspective of the river and the jungle above.

Things to know before you go

• The Aquário Natural can only be visited as part of a tour. Visitor numbers are limited; you must book in advance and reserve a specific time slot. Tours usually last around 2.5 hours.

• There is an on-site swimming pool where visitors can relax or practice snorkeling and do some training before jumping in the water. Alternatively, you can join the guide in the support boat and cruise along the river.

• Wear comfortable clothes and sneakers, and bring insect repellent, swimwear, a towel, water, cash, and a camera.

• Optional training, masks, snorkels, and wetsuits are provided.

• The Aquário Natural is not an accessible attraction, as there’s a 15-minute walk through the jungle along wooden walkways and steps down to the water and the boat.

• Along with the pool, the complex also has a zip line, natural history museum, restaurant and bar, chill-out zone, souvenir shop, locker room, luggage storage, and restrooms.

How to get there

The Aquário Natural is located in the Baía Bonita ecological reserve just outside Bonito, about a 3.5-hour drive from Campo Grande. Visitors usually fly into Campo Grande and take a bus out to Bonito, where they can rent a car, join a tour, or organize a local transfer to the Aquário Natural, about 15 minutes southeast of the town.

When to get there

With water temperatures around 71°F (22°C) year-round, there isn’t a bad time to visit the Aquário Natural. Although it is open most days of the year, there are strict limits on visitor numbers to help protect the natural environment, so you’ll need to book a tour in advance. Tours are staggered throughout the day to allow everyone to enjoy the tranquility. There isn’t a best time to visit unless you fancy chilling at the on-site pool and restaurant all afternoon or squeezing in other activities.

The Animal Trail

While the underwater world may be the highlight of the Aquário Natural, there are plenty of other natural wonders too. The trail to the river is one such example, where you’ll follow a wooden walkway through various landscapes, from savanna-type grasslands to jungles and swamps. Known as the Animal Trail, this short walk allows you to see different animals, from Pantanal deer to alligators, maned wolves, parrots, monkeys, and wild peccaries (skunk pigs).