What to Do in Poconé: 10 Best Things to Do in Mato Grosso
Poconé, in the state of Mato Grosso (Brazil), is the gateway to the Northern Pantanal. Located just 100 km south of Cuiabá, this town is the starting point for wild routes through the Pantanal wetlands. From here begins the famous Transpantaneira Road, with 145 km heading south, crossing wooden bridges and natural puddles that attract abundant wildlife. Poconé thus offers direct access to nature safaris and a local culture connected to the Pantanal. If you’re looking for what to do in Poconé to enjoy wildlife, stunning landscapes, and local culture, here you’ll find the 10 top recommended activities.
Many visitors book with specialized agencies (like Lorenzo Expeditions), which organize transfers, photo excursions, and jaguar safaris from Poconé. From the town, you can plan a 4×4 tour along the Transpantaneira, birdwatching tours, boat rides along the rivers, horseback riding, and sport fishing.
What to Do in Poconé: 10 Best Things to Do in Mato Grosso – Pantanal
Poconé is the entry point to the Brazilian Pantanal, the largest wetland in the world. If you’re planning your vacation in Poconé, here are the 10 best things to do in Poconé depending on your itinerary.
1. Drive Along the Transpantaneira Road
The Transpantaneira Road (MT-060) connects Poconé to Porto Jofre in 147 km and crosses over 120 wooden bridges. It’s ideal for a jaguar photo tour in Poconé or simply to enjoy the Northern Pantanal landscape while spotting caimans, capybaras, and exotic birds.
2. Explore the Pantanal Matogrossense National Park
This national park protects more than 135,000 hectares of wetlands. It offers various adventure tours, including jaguar safaris and boat trips on the Cuiabá River. The main entrance is located in Poconé, making it easy to access the region’s main tour operators. If you’re looking for what to do in Poconé, visiting the Pantanal Matogrossense is an excellent choice.
3. Visit the Encontro das Águas State Park
With nearly 109,000 hectares, this park immerses visitors in crystal-clear rivers and flooded forests. It’s one of the best places in the world for a jaguar safari and for birdwatching in Poconé. During the dry season, large concentrations of wildlife can be observed.
4. Jaguar Safari Photo Tours – Jaguarland
Jaguarland offers jaguar safari packages in Poconé with expert guides and professional photographers. These tours include several boat outings at sunrise and sunset to maximize the sighting and photography of jaguars in their natural habitat. If you’re wondering what to do in Poconé, this is one of the top recommended activities.
5. What to Do in Poconé: Birdwatching in the Pantanal
The Pantanal is a paradise for birdwatching in Poconé. Specialized tours take visitors to farms, rivers, and trails along the Transpantaneira, where you can spot macaws, kingfishers, toucans, and the majestic hyacinth macaw.
6. What to Do in Poconé: Walk Around the Main Square
In downtown Poconé, the main square is a popular gathering place. Here, you can relax in the shade of the trees, check out local handicrafts, and plan your jaguar photo tour in Poconé. It’s also a great spot to learn about nearby lodges and accommodations.
7. Pantanal Museum
The Pantanal Museum features exhibits on the local flora and fauna, along with artifacts representing Pantanal culture. It’s an informative stop before heading out on your adventure tours in Poconé.
8. Poconé Main Church
This colonial church, built in the 19th century, still features its original paintings and altars. Located right on the town square, it’s a highlight of the region’s religious architecture.
9. Day Trip to Chapada dos Guimarães National Park
Although Chapada dos Guimarães is about two hours from Poconé, many tours combine both destinations. Take advantage of the breathtaking viewpoints, waterfalls, and ecological trails, which contrast beautifully with the Pantanal’s flat wetlands.
10. Dom Bosco Museum
Located on the Transpantaneira Road at Km 32, the Dom Bosco Museum showcases ethnographic and natural history collections that tell the story of the Pantanal and its riverside communities.
What Does the Transpantaneira Road Offer in Poconé?
The Transpantaneira Road (MT-060) is an iconic off-road route starting in Poconé and running 145 km into the heart of the Pantanal. This rugged road, with 126 wooden bridges, winds around lakes and natural puddles carved out by road construction. These wetlands attract a rich variety of wildlife, so driving the Transpantaneira is like going on a non-stop safari.
Along the way, it’s common to spot capybaras, caimans, majestic jabirus (large-billed storks), macaws, and colorful toucans. It’s best to leave Poconé with a full tank and drive slowly, especially during the dry season (May to October), when animals gather around watering holes. The Transpantaneira is more than a road: it’s a unique natural experience.
What Is the Pantanal Matogrossense National Park?
The Pantanal Matogrossense National Park is a natural reserve of approximately 135,000 hectares created to protect the floodplain ecosystems of the Pantanal. It’s designated as a Ramsar Site and a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site. It’s home to iconic species such as the jaguar, marsh deer, giant anteater, and hundreds of birds.
Visitors can explore its trails and viewpoints, as well as travel through its network of river channels by canoe or 4×4 vehicle. It’s a natural sanctuary ideal for ecotourism: in addition to safaris, there are opportunities to spot Pantanal horses, giant otters, and aquatic birds.
What Is the Encontro das Águas State Park?
The Encontro das Águas State Park protects a network of rivers that merge in a unique habitat south of Poconé. This area is famous for having the highest concentration of jaguars in the world. Exploring this reserve by boat is an unforgettable experience.
Local guides take tourists through the waterways in search of jaguars walking along the banks or swimming. You’ll also see giant otters, anacondas, marsh deer, herons, and flocks of exotic birds. Tours are conducted with respect for wildlife, and it’s important to maintain silence and patience to maximize sightings.
How to See Jaguars in Poconé? (Safaris in Jaguarland)
Poconé is the starting point of the world’s jaguar safari epicenter. Local agencies organize expeditions in the area known as Jaguarland, south of Porto Jofre. On these 4 to 6-day tours, boat rides are conducted along the Cuiabá, Três Irmãos, and Piquiri rivers, where it’s common to see jaguars hunting caimans or playing along the riverbanks.
This type of tourism is aimed at both wildlife photographers and nature lovers. Guides offer tips to capture these big cats in full action.
What Birds Can Be Seen in the Pantanal?
The Northern Pantanal is one of the world’s best birdwatching destinations. From Poconé, sunrise excursions are organized along the Transpantaneira road and surrounding areas. Over 650 bird species have been recorded.
Notable birds include jabirus, toucans, parrots, macaws, ospreys, herons, owls, kingfishers, and the rare hoatzin. Waterbirds and raptors are also observed from elevated towers or boat trips. The dry season is ideal for birdwatching, when many species gather near available water sources.
What to See and Do in Poconé?
Poconé has a peaceful and authentic atmosphere. In the town center, you can visit the Central Plaza, with its main church and a statue of the town’s patron saint.
The Pantanal Museum offers insight into the local ecosystem, with collections of wildlife, bones, insects, and historical photos. Another highlight is the traditional Cavalhada de Poconé, an equestrian festival held in June, featuring horses, costumes, and local music.
In town, visitors can taste traditional Pantanal dishes and buy handmade crafts, such as animal figurines and wooden carvings.
What Else to Visit Near Poconé?
Chapada dos Guimarães National Park: Located 60 km away, this park features cliffs, waterfalls, and scenic viewpoints. The highlight is the Véu de Noiva waterfall, surrounded by rock formations. It offers hiking, photography, and stunning views.
Dom Bosco Museum (Cuiabá): Located in the state capital, this museum showcases indigenous artifacts and historical pieces about the region’s native peoples. It’s an excellent cultural option before or after visiting the Pantanal.
Pantanal towns: Places like Porto Jofre and Barão de Melgaço offer lodges, horseback rides, night excursions, and caiman spotting. Many tours depart from Poconé to these destinations.
Where to Stay and Which Agency to Choose?
Poconé offers eco-lodges and guesthouses (pousadas) with packages that include excursions, meals, and transfers. Some recommended options:
- Pousada Rio Claro
- Pousada Piuval Pantanal
- Araras Lodge, a sustainable complex with a pool and observation towers.
These accommodations are geared toward international travelers and offer high-quality services. They organize activities like sunrise safaris, kayaking, horseback riding, and guided hikes.
To plan your adventure, we recommend Lorenzo Expeditions, an agency specialized in jaguar safaris, photo tours, and customized excursions from Poconé. During the high season, it’s essential to book in advance.
What to do in Poconé centers around eco-adventure: traveling the Transpantaneira road, going on jaguar safaris in Jaguarland, enjoying birdwatching, exploring natural parks, and experiencing local culture. If you book a tour with Lorenzo Expeditions and stay in a Pantanal lodge, you’ll enjoy an unforgettable vacation in Brazil’s wildest nature.
What to Do in Poconé: Jaguar Safari Tours in the Pantanal:
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