Pantanal wetlands

Hello dear readers,

Today my post is about this curious place, a wild land with so much to discover, it is word's largest wetland, perfect for birdwatchers and wild life enthusiastic... welcome to Pantanal! 

A vast place with “amazing ecological quality” despite cattle farming and other environmental concerns. National Geographic

In the Pantanal, the jaguars may be evasive, but the capybaras, the hyacinth macaws, the giant anteaters and the ring-tailed coatis will practically pose for you if you approach quietly. The New York Times

Onça Pintada (Jaguar) - Trip Advisor

You are about to visit the best place in South America to spot wild life, so in my opinion you should plan this trip in advance. The dry season, considered by many people the best season to go to Pantanal is between April and September, during this time it is easier to spot the animals and is less muddy. Here is my first advise: Vaccines. It is important to take yellow fever, malaria and tetanus shot before traveling to Pantanal. And bring bug spray!

Alright, now let's see how you can make this trip work. 

by New York Times

If you are in Cuiabá the best way is to take a bus from the bus station and get a hotel (simple and rustic) in one of these cities: Poconé, Cáceres or Barão de Melgaço. Most of the hotels offer breakfast, lunch and dinner included. But if you are not into simple stuff, you have other options such as the SESC Porto Cercado Hotel, or Pousada Pouso Alegre in Poconé.

The best thing is to hire a guide to show you around, they are local people that take you to the coolest places where you can spot the animals. A binocular and a flashlight are also good items to bring besides the camera!

Caiman by Interativa Pantanal

Once you get there, the hotels will offer you tours options, like hike, sunrise view, boat trip, night walk... 

Tuiuiú - Symbol of Pantanal
by Sonia Furtado via Flickr

Check some expeditions before you go:
-  Interativa Pantanal
-  Pantanal Nature
-  Jaguar Ecological Reserve

Hotels:
- Pousada Rio Claro - Poconé
Breakfast, lunch and dinner, free wi-fi, horses, pool, ac.
- SESC Porto Cercado - Poconé
Breakfast, lunch and dinner, horses, pool, playground, ac.
- Araras Eco Lodge - Poconé
Breakfast, luch and dinner, horses, pool, ac.
- Hotel Baiazinha - Cácere (good for fishing)
Breakfast, lunch, dinner, playground, pool, horses.

Dual Survival: Pantanal

Vaccines

This is a very important post.

I will talk about the vaccines you should take before travelling to Brazil. 

But you also should talk to your physician or health-care provider about this.

Follow health tips and enjoy this amazing trip!

• Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B - the vaccine is recommended for all travelers.
• Yellow Fever - recommended for the following states: Acre, Amapa, Amazonas, Federal District, Goias, Maranhao, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais, Para, Rondonia, Roraima, Tocantins and designated areas Bahia, Parana, Piaui, Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina and São Paulo. Also recommended for those coming from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission, and for Brazilians coming from different states. Not recommended if you are traveling to coastal cities.
• Rabies - for those at risk for animal bites.
• Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) and typhoid - if you were not previously given

** Everyone should also be aware of malaria, since there are no vaccines to prevent it. **

Malaria is a serious infectious disease caused by mosquito bite.

Areas of Brazil with Malaria: States of Acre, Amapá, Amazonas, Mato Grosso, Pará, Rondonia, Roraima, Tocantins, and western part of Maranhão. Rare cases in Belém. No transmission at Iguaçu Falls.

Be aware of the symptoms and look for a doctor right away, malaria can be fatal in some cases: 

high fever, chills, headache, muscle ache, lost of appetites, and fatigue. 

It is recommended the use of bug sprays, long sleeve shirt, nets at night, and also avoid swimming in lakes where the contamination could be possible.

Web. <http://www.mdtravelhealth.com/destinations/samerica/brazil.php

Web. <http:www.drauziovarella.com.br/clinica-geral/malaria/