scenic road / safari · Poconé, MT
Rodovia Transpantaneira
About 145 km of dirt road with dozens of bridges linking Poconé to Porto Jofre. Each bridge is an improvised viewpoint over bays full of wildlife.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Rodovia Transpantaneira
The Rodovia Transpantaneira is a dirt road that leaves Poconé and crosses the Pantanal of Mato Grosso to Porto Jofre, on the bank of the Cuiabá River. It runs for almost 150 km on a raised embankment through the middle of the floodplain, crossed by more than a hundred bridges.
The road was begun in 1970 with the idea of reaching Corumbá, in Mato Grosso do Sul, but construction stopped at Porto Jofre and was never completed. Over time, it became the main tourist route in the Pantanal of Mato Grosso and was recognized as a park road. It is part of state highway MT-060.
The road itself is the attraction. The bridges cross bays, corixos (natural channels) and ponds, and from the edges you see caimans, capybaras, jabiru storks, egrets, roseate spoonbills, macaws and many other birds. With luck, marsh deer and even jaguars appear. The road ends at Porto Jofre, and from there the way continues by river, by boat, on trips to watch jaguars.
You can drive the road in a regular car in the dry season, slowly and carefully on the narrow bridges and with the animals that cross the road. There is no gas station along the way. Many visitors prefer to go with a guide, who knows the viewing spots and helps find the wildlife.
Before you go
Practical information
How much time to set aside
A full day for the round trip to Porto Jofre; if you want to take the boat trips to see jaguars, you usually stay overnight in the area.
Best time
In the dry season, roughly from May to September, when water gathers in the bays near the road and the animals are easier to see. Early morning and late afternoon are the times with the most wildlife and the prettiest light.
How to get there
The road starts on the edge of Poconé (MT), a town south of Cuiabá linked to the capital by a paved highway. From Poconé, follow the unpaved Transpantaneira to Porto Jofre.
Tip
Fill up the tank in Poconé, bring water, insect repellent and binoculars, and drive slowly: animals cross the road at any time.
A look at the place
Rodovia Transpantaneira 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 Rodovia Transpantaneira
Is there a fee to drive the Transpantaneira?
No. The Transpantaneira is an open state highway, and access is free. Guided and boat trips are paid separately.
Can you drive the Transpantaneira in a regular car?
In the dry season, yes, carefully and slowly. In the rainy season the road gets muddy and some stretches can be difficult; ask in Poconé before you go.
What is the best time to see wildlife on the Transpantaneira?
The dry season, roughly from May to September, when animals gather near the water left in the bays beside the road.
Do I need a guide for the Transpantaneira?
It is not required, but it helps a lot: a guide knows the viewing spots and finds animals you would otherwise miss.
Is there a gas station on the Transpantaneira?
No. Fill up in Poconé before getting on the road and plan for the return trip.