Getting around — Pantanal

Access to the Pantanal is exclusively by domestic flight from rest of Brazil (distances make buses impractical for short-stay travellers).

North Pantanal is accessible via Cuiabá Marechal Rondon (CGB) — daily flights from Rio (2h30, €150-300 return), São Paulo (2h, €130-280), Brasília (1h30, €100-220), with Latam, Gol, Azul. Airport 8 km from centre, taxi transfer 30-50 BRL (€5-8) or Uber 25-40 BRL. For Cuiabá → Porto Jofre (250 km via Transpantaneira), expect 5-6h drive in dry season (half on dirt track, crossing 122 wooden bridges). Private transfers organised by lodges (generally included in pensions), 4-6 people per vehicle, morning departure to arrive in afternoon.

South Pantanal is accessible via Campo Grande (CGR) — flights from Rio (2h30, €150-300), São Paulo (1h45, €130-280). Airport 7 km from centre. For Campo Grande → Miranda (200 km, Caiman and Refúgio Ecológico Caiman base), 2h30 drive. Private transfers organised by lodges.

For Cuiabá → Iguazu (classic nature combination), direct Latam or Gol Cuiabá-Foz do Iguaçu flight in 1h30 (€150-300 return) — recommended option for complete Pantanal + Iguazu nature trip over 6-8 days.

Once on site, all transport organised by your lodge: airport-lodge transfers, pick-up movement between lodges if itinerant, boat excursions, horse, walking. No useful car rental (Pantanal tracks require experience and adapted equipment, distances and signage hostile to autonomous tourists). For adventurous and experienced travellers, a 4WD rental in Cuiabá and self-route on Transpantaneira in dry season (5-7 days in multiple lodges) is possible — but reserved for true initiates.

In Cuiabá and Campo Grande, the cities themselves have no major tourist interest (degraded urbanism, stifling summer climate). One night before or after Pantanal stay for flights, that's it. Airport or downtown hotel €60-150/night, decent restaurants €15-30 per meal.