While Poconé and Miranda became famous, Cáceres is still the Pantanal secret: a historic town founded in 1778, leaning over the Rio Paraguai, where the Pantanal begins without charging admission. It is 220 km from Cuiabá on a paved road, and it is the base for river safaris, legendary sport fishing and one-off attractions such as the Dolina da Água Milagrosa. Here is a straight guide to what to do.
The Rio Paraguai is the main event
Everything in Cáceres revolves around the river: boat trips (R$ 150-300 per person, or private launches per group) run past river beaches and bays with caimans, capybaras and flocks of birds — the same spectacle as the classic Pantanal, at a fraction of the price. Houseboats leave from here for multi-day expeditions upriver. And sunset on the historic quay, with the cathedral behind you and the golden river in front, is free and unmissable.
Fishing, responsibly
Cáceres hosts the International Sport Fishing Festival (FIP), recognized as the largest of its kind in the world — and today entirely catch-and-release. Outside the festival, guesthouses and local boatmen organize sport fishing outings (day rates of R$ 400-800 with boat and bait). An ecotourist fishes like this: release the fish, keep the story.
A 2-3 day plan
| Day | Program |
|---|---|
| 1 | Historic center (old houses, cathedral, quay) plus sunset on the river |
| 2 | Dolina da Água Milagrosa (full day, with a swim and the trail) |
| 3 | Boat trip on the Paraguai — beaches, bays and Pantanal wildlife |
Cáceres works as the start or the end of a perfect Mato Grosso circuit: Chapada dos Guimarães → Nobres → Cáceres → the deep Pantanal. One week, four different Brazils.
🥾 Who is it for?
Effort: light — boat trips on the Paraguai and a historic town tour. Children: every age; the boats are the favorite part. Older travelers and people with reduced mobility: Cáceres is flat and boarding is simple; wheelchair users: check boarding conditions with the operator — an excellent Pantanal base for anyone who wants urban comfort.