Home › Journeys › Iguazú & the Pantanal
Iguazú & the Pantanal: the Day-by-Day Itinerary
This trip pairs South America's two great natural spectacles: Iguazú, where 275 waterfalls thunder around a jungle horseshoe, and the Pantanal, the world's best place to actually see a jaguar. Bonito's glass-clear snorkel rivers are the bonus round.
Iguazú & the Pantanal is a 1200 km one-way journey (bus & ferry). It works best as a 4-day trip; the plan below is the 4-day version for July, built from 70 verified places, with timetable-estimated transit times, opening hours and daylight checked.
Customize this plan → 4-day plan · best time to go
4
days
1199 km
distance
18.4 h
in transit
22
curated stops
💡 Good to know for this plan
- The dry season stacks the Pantanal's wildlife along shrinking rivers and keeps Bonito's water gin-clear.
- Heavy transit: day 1 (15h04) runs over 6 hours on the road. Around 4 days would keep daily driving comfortable on this route — or keep the dates and start each of those days by 08:00.
Day 1 Foz do Iguaçu → Iguazú Falls → Campo Grande
🌡 0.4–33.8°C · 🌧 ~5 rain days · ☀ 10.9h light
09:00
Iguaçu Fallswaterfalls
Hear thunderous waterfalls and see misty rainbows from lush viewpoints.
50 min · Foz do Iguaçu · R$100
open: Ticket booth 8AM-4PM daily, last return shuttle bus 5:30PM
09:50
Parque das Aveswaterfalls
Touch and watch colorful exotic birds flitting through lush gardens.
50 min · Foz do Iguaçu · R$80
open: Ticket booth 8:30AM-4:30PM
01:44
Rota Acústicalocal & traditional
Feel the rhythm of classic rock blended with South American melodies live.
75 min · Campo Grande · Free admission
open: Sunday 8pm
Overnight: Campo Grande
e.g. Hostel Orla Morena · Rodrigo Hostel
Day 2 Around Campo Grande
🌡 0.4–33.8°C · 🌧 ~5 rain days · ☀ 10.9h light
09:00
Museu da Aviação de Busca e Salvamento
Learn about dramatic rescue missions and meet the Pelican Squadron.
50 min · Campo Grande
09:50
Sarau de Segunda
Feel the rhythm of live music and poetry, with food and drinks nearby.
90 min · Campo Grande
open: Monday from 7PM
11:20
Museu das Culturas Dom Bosco
Discover intricate exhibits of native tribes and a vast insect collection.
50 min · Campo Grande
12:10
Igreja de São Francisco de Assis
Admire historic architecture near the old railway station.
50 min · Campo Grande
13:00
Cidade do Natal
Festive village comes alive with Christmas cheer and year-round events.
50 min · Campo Grande
13:50
Associação Colônia Paraguaia de Campo Grande
Enjoy lively Paraguayan lunch concerts in a warm, informal ballroom.
90 min · Campo Grande
15:20
Soba Houselocal & traditional
Feast on Soba, piranha soup, and other local dishes like fried pacu.
60 min · Campo Grande
Overnight: Campo Grande
e.g. Hostel Orla Morena · Rodrigo Hostel
Day 3 Around Campo Grande
🌡 0.4–33.8°C · 🌧 ~5 rain days · ☀ 10.9h light
09:00
Lago do Amor
50 min · Campo Grande
09:50
MARCO - Museu de Arte Contemporânea
50 min · Campo Grande
10:40
Harmonia Escola de Dança de Salão
90 min · Campo Grande
12:10
Shama Dança
90 min · Campo Grande
13:40
Helicopter Tourwaterfalls
Soar above emerald parks and colossal waterfalls in roaring helicopter.
90 min · Foz do Iguaçu · R$435
open: 09:00-17:00
15:10
Poço Pretowaterfalls
Explore hidden trails with guides to spot rare birds in deep green.
90 min · Foz do Iguaçu
16:40
Thomaz Lanches
Enjoy Brazilian sfihas and Middle-Eastern sweets in an honor system.
60 min · Campo Grande
Overnight: Campo Grande
e.g. Hostel Orla Morena · Rodrigo Hostel
See the remaining 1 days of the 4-day plan →
Route map
Similar journeys
- Argentina's Northwest — 800 km loop · 5–8 days
- The Seven Lakes Road — 420 km loop · 4–7 days
- Salar de Uyuni & the Altiplano — Uyuni → Sucre · 4–7 days