river / snorkeling float · Jardim, MS
Rio da Prata
A forest trail leads to the spring, where the float begins in crystal-clear water surrounded by fish. The gentle current does the work and you just watch.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Rio da Prata
The Recanto Ecológico Rio da Prata is on a private reserve, the RPPN Fazenda Cabeceira do Prata, in the municipality of Jardim, near Bonito. The tour is a snorkeling float: you drift down the river with a mask and snorkel, looking at the fish. The water rises from springs in the limestone and is very clear, with a temperature of 24 to 25 degrees Celsius all year. Even in the rainy season, the water of the Rio da Prata usually stays crystal clear.
The route begins with a trail of about 600 meters through the forest. The float starts at the spring of the Olho d'Água River and follows it to the Rio da Prata, a total of about 2.2 km, carried by the current. Along the way you see piraputangas, dourados and dozens of other fish species, as well as aquatic plants on the bottom.
Groups are small, up to ten people, always with an accredited guide. The Recanto provides a wetsuit and neoprene boots, mask, snorkel and life jacket. You do not stand on the bottom, so as not to stir up sediment and cloud the water. The minimum age is 5, and children under 12 can only take part with their parents.
The Rio da Prata was voted Brazil's best tourist attraction in the O Melhor do Turismo Brasileiro 2026 awards and, that same year, received Tripadvisor's Travellers' Choice Best of the Best. What sets it apart from other floats in the region is its length: it is one of the longest routes in and around Bonito.
Before you go
Practical information
How much time to set aside
About four hours, including the trail and the float.
Best time
Year-round, because the water keeps a steady temperature. On days of heavy rain the tour may be canceled or interrupted. The Recanto is open every day.
How to get there
It is about 50 km from Bonito and 36 km from Jardim, via the MS-178 or the BR-267. You can only visit with a booking made through an accredited travel agency, with a voucher. You can drive your own car or use the agency's transportation.
Tip
Use as little sunscreen and insect repellent as possible: the Recanto asks for this to avoid contaminating the water. Leggings under the wetsuit help against the cold and the sun.
Official website
A look at the place
Rio da Prata in pictures
These pictures are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs. They may differ from the place.
Click the picture to enlarge it.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Rio da Prata
Is there a minimum age?
Yes, 5 years old. Children under 12 can only take part with their parents.
Do I need to know how to swim?
You do not need to be a strong swimmer: you float along, carried by the current, in a wetsuit. The Recanto provides a life jacket, which is optional.
Can I wear sunscreen?
The Recanto asks you to use as little sunscreen and insect repellent as possible, to avoid contaminating the water. Leggings under the wetsuit help protect you from the sun.
Can I go on my own?
You can drive there, but the booking is made through an accredited travel agency, with a voucher.
How long is the float?
About 2.2 km, along the Olho d'Água and Prata rivers, after a trail of about 600 meters. The whole tour takes about four hours.