Transpantaneira and Porto Jofre, Pantanal

The Pantanal is the world's largest tropical wetland, about the size of France, and much better than the Amazon for seeing wildlife. The Transpantaneira is a dirt road of about 145 km from Poconé to Porto Jofre, crossing more than 100 wooden bridges, with caiman, capybaras, giant otters, macaws, toucans and jabiru storks along the way.

At the end, Porto Jofre is the best place in the world to see jaguars: from about July to October, boat trips on the Cuiabá River and its channels regularly find them on the riverbanks. Stay at fazendas (ranch lodges) along the road. Trekking, horseback riding and boat trips are the usual ways to explore. The dry season (June to October) is best for wildlife. Fly to Cuiabá from São Paulo or Brasília.