Fazenda San Francisco

That receptionist’s rudeness is what really soured the visit. We arrived early, and an employee invited us in for breakfast. I asked the price and was told it was included. Soon after, the receptionist demanded 30$cad for what was basically bread and fruit. When I explained we’d been told it was free and wouldn’t have eaten otherwise, she made a scene and kept insisting she’d shown me where to get plain ham and cheese. She definitely hadn’t. The two activities had an unnecessarily long gap, though the shaded pool made the wait bearable. Food was mediocre, and the fishing was a joke: about 20 feet of water, a short bamboo pole, and four feet of string. The guide spoke English but chose not to use it. It felt like we just drove across farmland and saw almost the same animals as on the way in. The short walk was nice, though. I’m not usually a negative person, but this left a bad taste.

We really enjoyed the night safari and saw a good variety of wildlife. The daytime outing was lovely too, with guides who knew their stuff. I especially liked fishing for piranha and seeing the caymans. Fazenda San Francisco makes a great getaway, away from civilization but with the amenities you need. The service was great, the food fantastic, and everyone was friendly. They could speak English, which helped a lot since I barely know any Portuguese.

Lunch was one of the biggest disappointments. It felt rushed and impersonal, more like an industrial canteen meal than something connected to a farm or eco-tourism. Afterward, we had no desire to wait around for sunset, dinner, or evening activities, so we left as soon as we could. The heat and lack of places to sit or cool down made the long waits between activities and lunch especially hard. The pool was tiny, there were only six hammocks and a few chairs by the house, and there were no ceiling fans, despite temperatures reaching 35°C. The only air-conditioned space was a small museum that quickly got crowded. Some guests took off their shoes, leaving a strong, unpleasant smell that made it uncomfortable and unhygienic for others. I know farm activities depend on nature and can’t be guaranteed. Still, the lack of clear information was frustrating. Several activities promoted until recently are no longer offered, and that wasn’t clearly stated on the website or social media. I might have come anyway with more realistic expectations. The day-use experience at Fazenda San Francisco fell well short of what I expected, and gave me the impression that the farm prioritizes guest numbers over comfort and quality.

The private tour with guide Edimir was the highlight. We got to enjoy the safari quietly, without a group of 40, and learn from the Pantaneiros while respecting the animals. He was awesome. The rest felt out of date for the price. Rooms, food, and facilities need updating. The main reason to go is to see Onca, if you’re lucky. When there are lots of day visitors, there may not even be a table for lunch. The minibar was empty, and reception was the only place to buy water until 22h.