Few people notice, but three of the most famous “Bonito” tours are not in Bonito at all: the Rio da Prata, the Lagoa Misteriosa and the Buraco das Araras all belong to Jardim, the neighboring town that became the smart base for the region — closer to those attractions, cheaper to sleep in and with the feel of a genuinely small town. This is the complete guide for the ecotourist who likes to optimize.
What is in Jardim
- Recanto Ecológico Rio da Prata (R$ 470 low season to R$ 570 high season): the most famous snorkeling trip in Brazil is in this municipality — 20 minutes from Jardim, ahead of the buses coming from Bonito.
- Lagoa Misteriosa (snorkeling R$ 270 low season and R$ 298 high season, discovery dive R$ 490 — reference range checked on 21/08/2026): the blue sinkhole over 220 m deep — details in Lagoa Misteriosa: the bottomless sinkhole.
- Buraco das Araras (~R$ 185): one of the largest dry sinkholes in the world — 124 m deep, 500 m around — taken over by red macaws in flight. Two viewpoints, an easy trail and one of the most reliable wildlife shows in the country.
And does the town deliver?
Jardim has guesthouses from R$ 100 to R$ 250 (half of Bonito’s usual level), honest restaurants serving food from Mato Grosso do Sul (R$ 35-70) and the Balneário Jardim Ecopark on the Rio da Prata for a free day. What it does NOT have: Bonito’s nightlife and range of restaurants. The full comparison is in Jardim or Bonito: where to stay.
Distances
| Route | Distance |
|---|---|
| Campo Grande → Jardim | 239 km (paved) |
| Jardim → Rio da Prata | ~15 km |
| Jardim → Buraco das Araras | ~30 km |
| Jardim → Lagoa Misteriosa | ~20 km |
| Jardim → Bonito (center) | ~60 km |
🥾 Who is it for?
Effort: light — gentle floats (the Rio da Prata!) and contemplative tours. Children: from age 5-6 with a life jacket; the shoals hypnotise any age. Older travelers and people with reduced mobility: the local operators have good infrastructure and support teams at the river entrances — Jardim is a calm alternative to Bonito.
