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Usitour
must-visit in BonitoNational Park & Nature

Rio da Prata

📍 Fazenda Cabeceira do Prata, BR-267 km 512, Jardim, MS 79240-000, Brazil
Rio da Prata
1 photos
4.6/ 5.0
★★★★★

Quick Facts

Location
Brazil, Bonito
Category
National Park & Nature
Duration
3–5 hours including the trail, float and lunch
Address
Fazenda Cabeceira do Prata, BR-267 km 512, Jardim, MS 79240-000, Brazil
Coordinates
-21.4612, -56.4395

Introduction

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.

✨ Highlights

1
World-class clear water
Spring water filtered through the Bodoquena limestone plateau holds near 24 °C year-round with visibility often beyond 30 metres over white sand — repeatedly rated among Brazil's best attractions.
2
A 2.3 km downstream float
Drift 1.7 km from the Olho d'Água spring pool to the Barra confluence, then 600 m more down the Rio da Prata; no swimming needed — life vest and wetsuit throughout.
3
Pantanal fish all around
Schools of piraputangas, dourados, curimbatás and piaus swim right alongside you, one of Brazil's finest rivers for swimming among fish.
4
RPPN reserve trail
An interpretive trail crosses century-old riparian forest with coatis, capuchin monkeys, peccaries, anteaters and abundant birds, plus orchids and bromeliads.
5
A full farm day
The tour includes a southern Mato Grosso do Sul farm lunch and hammock time; scuba diving (10+), horseback riding (8+) and birdwatching (6+) can be added.
6
Small booked groups, certified safety
Daily-capped, time-slotted entries booked through local agencies; the farm has held ABNT NBR ISO 21101 safety-management certification uninterrupted since 2010, a rarity in Brazilian ecotourism.

🛈 Practical Info

→Booking：Daily cap with a maximum of 9 people per floating slot: reserve ahead through a Bonito agency, 3-4 weeks ahead in peak season (January, July, Christmas/New Year, Carnaval).
→Duration：Allow 3–5 hours including trail, float and farm lunch; about 1.5–2 hours in the water.
→Gear：Wetsuit, boots, mask, snorkel and life vest are provided; bring swimwear, a towel and dry clothes. Visitors over 120 kg must bring their own wetsuit.
→Rules：No outside food or drinks, no pets; no sunscreen or repellent in the water (chemicals harm water quality); floats from age 6 (under 12 with a parent); no floating after 24 weeks of pregnancy.
→Fees：An environmental conservation fee of R$15 per person per day applies across Bonito (payable at turistapornatureza.com.br).
→Opening Hours：Daily about 7:30–17:00; floats run in booked time slots only — no walk-up tickets.
→Transportation：BR-267 at km 512, rural Jardim, about 50 km from Bonito; tour transfer or self-drive.

Ticket Information

Ticket Information
AdultR$470

Trail-and-float about R$470-570 pp (gear, guide, insurance and farm lunch included, transport extra), plus Bonito's TCA fee R$15 per activity day (with visitor insurance).

💡 Tips

• Book at least 2–3 weeks ahead; in peak season (January, July, New Year, Carnaval) Rio da Prata sells out first, and a booking voucher is required at the gate.
• Do not wear sunscreen or insect repellent into the water — the park bans them because chemicals damage the river's microbiome; wear a long-sleeve rash guard instead.
• Come in swimwear with a towel and dry clothes; wetsuits are provided, but your own swimwear is more comfortable underneath.
• Morning slots give the best light and visibility; afternoon storms can suspend floats, so keep your itinerary flexible.
• Pair with sister attractions Lagoa Misteriosa (sinkhole snorkelling, open roughly April–September) and Buraco das Araras (macaw sinkhole), but no more than two in a day.
• Driving: follow BR-267 to km 512 and slow down for the unpaved final stretch; mobile signal is patchy in the countryside, so download offline maps.

FAQ

What are the opening hours of Rio da Prata?

Daily about 7:30–17:00; floats run in booked time slots only — no walk-up tickets.

How much is the admission for Rio da Prata?

Adult: R$470; Trail-and-float about R$470-570 pp (gear, guide, insurance and farm lunch included, transport extra), plus Bonito's TCA fee R$15 per activity day (with visitor insurance).

Any practical tips for visiting Rio da Prata?

Book at least 2–3 weeks ahead; in peak season (January, July, New Year, Carnaval) Rio da Prata sells out first, and a booking voucher is required at the gate. Do not wear sunscreen or insect repellent into the water — the park bans them because chemicals damage the river's microbiome; wear a long-sleeve rash guard instead.

How long should I spend at Rio da Prata?

A typical visit takes 3–5 hours including the trail, float and lunch.

Compiled from the official Recanto Ecológico Rio da Prata site riodaprata.eco.br and Bonito tourism materials (Oct 2026). Floats are reservation-only, daily-capped and seasonally priced.