Bonito Travel Guide

The Rio da Prata (Silver River) lies in the Fazenda Cabeceira do Prata private reserve (an RPPN — private natural heritage reserve) about 50 km southwest of Bonito, Mato Grosso do Sul, on the border with the municipality of Jardim. It is one of South America's most highly regarded river snorkelling spots: water filtered through the Bodoquena limestone plateau stays near 24 °C year-round with visibility often beyond 30 metres over white sand. The family farm opened its gates in 1995, was a 2019 finalist for the WTTC Tourism for Tomorrow awards and took both 'Best of Brazilian Tourism 2026' and WTM Latin America's Responsible Tourism prize in 2026. The visit opens with an interpretive trail through riparian forest — century-old trees, orchids and bromeliads, with coatis, capuchins, peccaries and anteaters — before the spring pool (Olho d'Água) where guides fit you with mask, snorkel, wetsuit and life vest. From there you drift about 2.3 km downstream (1.7 km on the Olho d'Água plus 600 m on the Rio da Prata), surrounded by schools of piraputangas, dourados and curimbatás. A southern Mato Grosso do Sul farm lunch closes the day, and scuba diving, horseback riding and birdwatching can be added. Floats run in booked time slots with a daily visitor cap.