3 Best Places to See Jaguars in Pantanal, Brazil
Jaguars are the apex predator of South America, and seeing them in the wild was the most exciting animal encounter I’ve had on the continent!
These big cats are found in almost all South American biomes, but in the Pantanal, they are especially impressive—and much easier to spot!
I explored both the northern and southern sections of Pantanal in Brazil and here is my curation of the top 3 reliable places to see jaguars in the Pantanal!
Why is the Pantanal the Best Place to See Jaguars in the Wild?
The Pantanal is the largest tropical wetland on Earth, home to one of the highest jaguar densities in the world—and the jaguars there are up to 50% larger than those found in other regions!
The Pantanal is jaguar-watching heaven because vegetation dries up throughout the dry season, creating a landscape of open-land that facilitates sightings when compared to forest-y biomes.
In fact, in the Pantanal, jaguar sightings happen almost daily during the dry season in some locations! This is a huge contrast to other biomes, where the chances of spotting a jaguar are incredibly slim.
What are the best months to visit the Pantanal?
Jaguars can be reliably spotted in top locations during the dry season, which goes from June to November.
Peak season is July/August, when the vegetation has dried up quite a bit and the skies are often clear.
Be aware: Though the dry season is the absolute best time to see jaguars, it is also when the risk for wildfires increases significantly!
Best Places to See Jaguars in Brazil‘s Pantanal
1. Northern Pantanal – Porto Jofre & Meeting of the Waters State Park
Porto Jofre is by far the best place to see jaguars in Pantanal!
That’s where I spotted five jaguars in a single day on a jaguar safari, and where local guides say that jaguar sightings happen in 98% of days during the dry season!
What is unique about Porto Jofre is that the jaguars of the region rely on the river to hunt, and by going on a boat tour there jaguar sightings are almost guaranteed.
Porto Jofre’s infrastructure for tourism is great considering how remote the area is. There you’ll find comfortable all-inclusive accommodations that are used to receiving foreign tourists.
Reaching Porto Jofre is also relatively easy. The entrance to the Pantanal (Poconé) is just about a 1.5-hour drive from Cuiabá Airport. From there, Porto Jofre is another 3-hour drive, which is stunning enough to feel like a safari in itself!
Fun fact! I visited Porto Jofre with a youtuber friend, Henry (AKA Another Little Trip)! His video on our trip to Chapada dos Guimarães and Porto Jofre is a great way to see what the region has to offer!
2. Southern Pantanal – Caiman Ecological Refuge (Southern Pantanal)
Just a ~3 hour drive north of Bonito, which is one of the most breathtaking places I’ve been to, you’ll find the Caiman Ecological Refuge located in Southern Pantanal.
The jaguar-watching tours are an initiative led by the Onçafari Project, which habituates jaguars to human presence for ecotourism and conservation. The work they do drives real impact – and according to their official website, the population of jaguars has grown 580% since the project began in 2011!
The jaguar-watching tours are done in 4×4 Toyota trucks that drive throughout the reserve, where they closely monitor jaguars with radio collars. That’s why the chances for sightings there are incredibly high! They report that over the past two years, 100% of guests at Caiman Ecological Refuge have spotted at least one jaguar during their stay.
Apart from the jaguar safaris, they offer many other fun outdoor activities such as canoe rides, night safaris, and horseback riding.
In the Caiman Ecological Refuge, the infrastructure for tourism is the best in Pantanal, but to me the experience does not feel as “wild” as the Pantanal ecotourism found in Porto Jofre/Poconé and the Taiamã Ecological Reserve.
3. Taiamã Ecological Reserve (Paraguay River)
Taiamã Ecological Reserve, located on the banks of the Paraguay River, is a lesser-known but excellent location for jaguar boat safaris. The experience is very similar to Porto Jofre but significantly less crowded!
The downside? Infrastructure for tourism is almost non-existent, and planning a trip there is hard. There is almost no information about this destination online, and in the reserve the only way to get around is by boat!
The wrapup: Places to See Jaguars in Pantanal, Brazil
The Pantanal is the best place to see jaguars in the wild, and you’re sure to see amazing nature and wildlife whether you head to Porto Jofre, Caiman Ecological Refuge, or Taiamã Ecological Reserve!
Planning a trip to Brazil? Check out our other helpful guides!
✅ Is Brazil safe? A travel safety guide by a solo female traveler
✅ How to go to Porto Jofre: Brazil’s Pantanal Best Jaguar Spot
✅ Iguazu Falls: Everything you need to know before planning your trip
✅ What To Do in Lençóis Maranhenses: Best Tours & Activities With Prices
