Pousada Aguapé

A special thank you to the kitchen team for noticing my birthday, baking a cake and singing to me. My colleague and I had a few memorable days at aguape, with Rodrigo as our guide. The local food, warm smiles and hospitality went beyond what we expected. You’re all wonderful people. Greetings from cold Norway!

The sunrises and sunsets were spectacular, and a peaceful boat trip on the Aquiduana was a lovely change of pace. We also went for an early morning birding walk. In just two days at Pousada Aguape we saw a giant anteater, a southern tamandua, a tapir, plenty of yacare caiman, capybara and howler monkeys. Rosalindo was a wonderful guide, and we added 63 bird species to our life list there, out of 114 we recorded during two weeks in the Pantanal. The three of us, my daughters and I, were sorry to leave; we saw so much that it felt like a week. Our clean, spacious rooms were comfortable, and the authentic Brazilian meals brought back fond memories of farofa, rice, beans, fresh fruit and juices. This was our first stop in Brazil. I expected the Pantanal to feel more rustic because of its isolation, and its biodiversity really is remarkable. I’ve been on safaris in Africa and the Canadian High Arctic, and can’t choose a favorite because each place offers different adventures. Obrigada to everyone at Pousada Aguape for such a great introduction to Brazil!

The homemade meals are a real highlight, and they’re included with the stay. There’s always a good range of vegetarian and vegan choices. This is a lovely farm property, with a main house, several guest houses, spacious simple rooms that are clean and well kept, and welcoming rustic communal areas. We also enjoyed the swimming pool. The people working here are kind and know a lot about the surroundings. Nature outings on horseback, by boat and on foot were fantastic, with plenty of wildlife such as alligators, birds and snakes. It’s a magical place, and well worth the effort of spending a few days here. Our nine-year-old son had a great time too.

The tours were enjoyable, though we had a lot of rain and didn’t get to see as many animals as we might have. I’d return in the dry season for a better chance to spot more. The food was tasty and there was plenty of it, and the pool and common area were great for relaxing. A cute place, with comfortable beds and a hot shower. Definitely worth a visit.