Araras Pantanal Eco Lodge
Rustic eco-lodge on a working fazenda, offering rewarding wildlife spotting both on guided excursions and around the grounds, including from the lodge's own canopy observation tower.
Araras is a small eco-lodge which is part of a working fazenda, two hours by road from the Pantanal gateway city of Cuiabá. The attractive building houses guestrooms decorated in a rustic regional style, linked by a sunny communal terrace with hammocks and rocking chairs. The restaurant offers wholesome, home-cooked fare with a Brazilian twist, and breakfast can be taken al fresco by the pool, where you'll be surrounded by feeding birds.
Wildlife viewing is generally very rewarding here, and the guides are eagle-eyed and well-informed. They'll lead you on enjoyable nature excursions on foot, on horseback or by open-sided truck. In addition to the common sightings of caiman, capybara, coatimundi, storks, parrots and water-loving birds, there have been regular viewings of tapir, anteater, peccary, deer and ocelot. You can also potter off in a canoe on the river, or view the surrounding grasslands from the 25m-high canopy tower, often visited in the early morning by a variety of tropical birds.

Our Expert's Opinion
This lodge offers a great range of excursions including heading up one of their canopy towers first thing to hear the sound of the surrounding countryside waking up. The horse riding is excellent too through varied landscapes and certainly a different way of spotting wildlife.

Papagaio
Your edit for Latin American inspiration
Our exciting range of articles on Latin America explore everything from iconic destinations and lesser-known cultural gems to delicious traditional recipes. You’ll also find exclusive travel tips, first-hand client reviews and the chance to get your personal questions answered by our travel experts.
View Extraordinary Inspiration