Bonito is a

municipality A municipality is usually a single administrative division having corporate status and powers of self-government or jurisdiction as granted by national and regional laws to which it is subordinate. The term ''municipality'' may also mean the go ...

located in the

Brazilian state The federative units of Brazil ( pt, unidades federativas do Brasil) are subnational entities with a certain degree of autonomy (self-government, self-regulation and self-collection) and endowed with their own government and constitution, which ...

of Mato Grosso do Sul. As of 2020 its population was 22,190, and it has an area of .

History

The area that would become the center of the Municipality of Bonito started with the land of the Rincão Bonito

Fazenda A ''fazenda'' () is a plantation found throughout Brazil during the colonial period (16th - 18th centuries). They were concentrated primarily in the northeastern region, where sugar was produced in the ''engenhos'', expanding during the 19th ...

, which had an area of and was acquired by Euzébio Captain Luiz da Costa Leite Falcão in 1869. He is considered the pioneer of Bonito, and was also its first registrar and public notary. State Law No. 693 of June 11, 1915, initially established the District of Paz de Bonito, with an area taken from the Municipality of Miranda and made administratively subordinate. With the creation of the Federal Territory of Ponta Porã, by Decree-Law No. 5839 on September 21, 1943, it was annexed to the District of Paz de Miranda. Under the Constitutional Act of the Transitional Provisions of the Federal Constitution, it was restored to the state of Mato Grosso, together with the district belonging to the Municipality of Miranda. Finally, State Law No. 145 of October 2, 1948, made it a municipality, with its seat in the town of Bonito.

Economy

Tourism

There are more than 30 tours available in and around the Bonito area. The majority of the tours are based around exploring the ecology and natural environment of the area. Almost all of the tours need to be booked through an official tourist agency in the town and require an accredited guide, although this will be organised at the time of booking. Some of these most popular tours include: * Abismo Anhumas (Anhumas Abyss) – Rappelling down into a cave and an underground, crystal-clear lake, deep, with an area equivalent to the size of a football field. Snorkeling or diving reveal the breathtaking beauty of this place: some of the largest underwater stalagmites in the world, up to high. * Rio da Prata (Silver River) – This snorkeling tour features crystal-clear water, abundant fish, a walk through the forest and a delicious lunch. * Aquário Natural (Natural Aquarium) – The tour starts with a 25-minute walk through the jungle, followed by a snorkel, where you float with fish and appreciate the underwater vegetation. After starting the trek where you can see varieties of animals of the region, you can finish with a visit to the museum of natural history. * Circuito Arvorismo (The trees circuit) – The adventure trek allows you to walk through the treetops on a suspended steel walkway installed in native trees such as aroeira and mahogany. The walkways have platforms fixed in the trees, varying in height from . * Gruta do Lago Azul Natural Monument (Blue Lake Cave) – The tour starts with a 10-minute walk to the entrance of the cave, which was discovered by a local Indian in 1924. In its interior, after descending , it is possible to see the lake of crystal clear water and depth of approximately , which makes it one of world’s biggest flooded caves.

Tour agencies

Many tour agencies exist in Bonito, although increasingly they are being located in the hotels and ''pousadas'' (small hotels) in the town. It is best to ask about tour agencies when you book your accommodation.

Hospitality

Bonito has a full range of hotels and ''pousadas'' (small hotels), from expensive five-star resorts to backpacker-budget accommodations. In the holiday season (July and December to March), accommodation can be very hard to find and prices also rise accordingly. English is spoken at the more expensive hotels and resorts, but very few of the lower-priced hotels have competent English speakers.

Transportation

The most common way to reach Bonito is through Campo Grande International Airport, which is located in the capital of Mato Grosso do Sul state; this airport provides links to and from all the major cities in Brazil. From Campo Grande International Airport there is the option of either taking an air-taxi or going to the city by land. - There are 2 flights per week from Campo Grande to Bonito on Thursdays and Fridays, offered by TRIP Linhas Aéreas. - There are also several options of buses and vans that take around 4 hours to reach Bonito on the journey. - Busses from neighboring cities are available, usually arriving from transfer through Dourados. The journey from Foz do Iguazu begins with a 4:45pm bus ride, with a transfer in Dourados around 7:00am, with a three or four-hour stopover in between. In February 2013, Azul Brazilian Airlines announced that it would begin offering direct flights to Bonito Airport twice weekly from

Viracopos International Airport Viracopos – Campinas International Airport (sometimes referred to as São Paulo/Campinas or São Paulo/Viracopos) is an international airport serving the municipality of Campinas, São Paulo State, Brazil. On 6 January 1987, the airport name ...

in Campinas. This move has been very important for the city's growing tourist numbers. Taxis are available for the trip from Bonito Airport into the city.

References

External links

*
Pantanal Escapes - Travel Guide and tourist information for Bonito

Official websiteRiver Snorkeling in Bonito
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bonito, Mato Grosso Do Sul Municipalities in Mato Grosso do Sul Populated places established in 1869 1869 establishments in Brazil