Weather in Pantanal

About Pantanal

Pantanal is the world's largest tropical wetland, a 54,000-square-mile wilderness where jaguars hunt at waterholes, caimans bask on riverbanks, and birds explode from every tree. During wet season the landscape becomes a vast lake; in dry season animals concentrate in vulnerable abundance. Pantanal is pure predator-prey theater, unfiltered nature.

Country

Brazil

Best months to visit

May, June, July, August

Currency

BRL

Language

Portuguese

Things to do in Pantanal

Jaguar safari lodge: 3-day wilderness expedition search Caiman spotting night boat tour: reptile encounters Birdwatching paradise: over 600 species identification Horseback wildlife exploration: Pantanal ranch cattle work Piranhas fishing and river expedition adventure Photography safari: professional guide for image captures

Weather by month

Click any month for detailed weather information and travel tips.

January

32C

Hot and humid, with frequent heavy rain.

February

31C

Hot and humid, with frequent heavy rain.

March

31C

Hot and humid, with frequent heavy rain.

April

31C

Hot and humid, with regular rainfall.

Recommended

May

30C

Hot and humid, with occasional showers.

Recommended

June

29C

Warm and pleasant, and mostly sunny skies.

Recommended

July

30C

Hot and humid, and mostly sunny skies.

Recommended

August

33C

Hot and humid, and mostly sunny skies.

September

35C

Very hot, with occasional showers.

October

34C

Hot and humid, with some rainy days.

November

33C

Hot and humid, with regular rainfall.

December

32C

Hot and humid, with frequent heavy rain.

The Pantanal is the world's largest tropical wetland, and for wildlife density it rivals or beats anywhere in the Amazon — jaguars, giant otters, capybaras, caiman and hundreds of bird species are visible from boats, horseback and open-sided safari vehicles, often without the dense canopy that hides Amazonian wildlife from view. Fazenda (ranch) stays form the backbone of a visit, combining wildlife drives with a slower, rural Brazilian pace of life.

Best areas to stay in Pantanal

Northern Pantanal (Cuiabá / Porto Jofre)

The main jaguar-watching region, accessed via Cuiabá and the Transpantaneira highway.

Southern Pantanal (Campo Grande / Bonito)

A more accessible region for general wildlife viewing, often combined with the clear-water rivers of nearby Bonito.

Transpantaneira Highway

A raised dirt road running through the wetland, lined with wildlife and dotted with fazenda lodges.

Fazenda lodges

Ranch-style lodges throughout the Pantanal offering all-inclusive multi-day wildlife packages.

Getting to Pantanal

✈

Flights

Fly into Cuiabá (CGB) for the northern Pantanal or Campo Grande (CGR) for the southern Pantanal, both with connections via São Paulo.

⏱

From London

~2-3 hours by air from São Paulo, plus a road/boat transfer of several hours to most lodges; allow 18-20 hours total from the UK.

🚕

Getting around

Lodges typically include all transport and activities; independent travel is difficult due to limited roads and infrastructure.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit the Pantanal?

The dry season (July-October) concentrates wildlife around shrinking water sources, making sightings easier — it's also the best period for jaguar spotting along the Cuiabá River.

Is the Pantanal good for jaguar spotting?

The northern Pantanal, around Porto Jofre, is one of the most reliable places in the world to see wild jaguars, particularly July to October.

How do you get to the Pantanal?

Most visitors fly into Cuiabá (northern Pantanal) or Campo Grande (southern Pantanal) and transfer by road and/or boat to a fazenda lodge.

What is a typical Pantanal itinerary?

Multi-night stays at a fazenda lodge with included activities — boat safaris, horseback rides, night drives and walking tours — are standard, as distances and lack of public transport make day trips impractical.

Is the wet season worth visiting?

The wet season (November-March) brings dramatic flooding and lush scenery with abundant birdlife, though some roads become impassable and wildlife disperses over a wider area.

Traveler reviews

★★★★★

Saw three different jaguars on boat safaris near Porto Jofre in just two days — genuinely one of the best wildlife experiences I've had anywhere.

Felipe A. · August 2023

★★★★★

The sheer number of caiman, capybaras and birds along the Transpantaneira was overwhelming in the best way. The fazenda stay made it feel relaxed despite all the activity.

Sarah K. · September 2024

★★★★☆

Visited in the wet season for a quieter, greener Pantanal — fewer jaguar sightings but incredible birdlife and a real sense of how vast the wetland is.

Joao V. · December 2023