When Guilherme Rondon inherited his grandfather's cattle ranch in 1996, he could easily have sold it to developers. Instead, this passionate conservationist opened the doors to just 22 guests at a time... and the rest is history! Located 225 kilometres from Campo Grande, just where the Rio Negro meets the seasonal floodplains of Vazante do Castelo, it's one of the most protected areas in the Pantanal and the wildlife is abundant. In flood season, crystal-clear waters surround the lodge, turning morning coffee into a lakeside experience. Beyond, weathered pantaneiros still guide up to 1,000-strong herds of cattle, continuing traditions that predate your great-grandparents and adding to a truly authentic Pantanal experience.
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There are only six simple but super comfortable rooms, sleeping 22 guests in total so even when the hotel is full, the service is intimate and excellent. Sleeping options range from cosy double rooms to a full two-bedroomed private house with a living room that is perfect for families. All have air conditioning, hot showers, fans, and mosquito screens, with a typical Pantanal style that emphasises the incredible natural scenery outside.
Between April and June, the Vazante floods around the lodge and you can paddle canoes through water so clear you can watch caimans and stingrays swimming below.
In the dry season (July-November) you can travel to Barra Mansa in a 4x4, but the remainder of the year requires a charter flight. Time your visit based on priorities and patience for travel logistics!
Barra Mansa is not the best place to spot jaguars. But if you're after the Pantanal before tourism discovered it, then you're in the right place.
Start with a recommended trip or create one from scratch
Barra Mansa Pantanal Hotel can be booked with Timbuktu as part of a tailor-made Brazil trip, rather than as a standalone room reservation. Start online, customising one of our recommended Brazil trips featuring Barra Mansa Pantanal Hotel or get advice and suggestions from one of our Brazil specialists who will design the trip around your dates, check availability and handle every booking for you.
Stays at Barra Mansa Pantanal Hotel start from around $250, or US$250, per person per night as part of a tailor-made trip. The exact price depends on your travel dates, room type and the shape of the rest of your itinerary. A Timbuktu travel specialist can give you an accurate quote for your dates.
Enthralling wildlife encounters, real-life cowboys & an unwavering sense of discovery awaits in the wetlands.
