Our Pantanal adventure overall

Pantanal has been on our list for a while now, even though Leo has been 25 years ago – I am sure it has changed a little since then and it is a location that is nice to explore together. We really enjoyed our time here, unfortunately it was tainted heavily due to the fact we were both severely ill at the start of the trip. Due to this we therefore had to cancel the overnight camping in the jungle which as our guide later told us was for the best as it’s very cold this time of the year at night and the mozzies are really bad, so to be honest it looks like we escaped a potential horrendous night’s sleep that may or may not make us ill again.
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The staff here are pretty good, I can’t say they are great as they are not. Max and Sandro are great, but the other staff would prefer to walk around looking like they have just parted ways from a gang and be on their phones A LOT. That really pissed me off as at max there was 7 guests staying at any given time doe to low season! Another issue which we encountered is there is no safe drinking water here, which is normal for Brazil but you are expected to buy all your water. Being in 30+ degree heat everyday and having to purchase water is totally outrageous and we are both pretty sure illegal as they should have filtered water for all guests, but we will have to look into it. 

The food – 7/10 at tops. There is always a lot of choices but hardly any salad and a lot of the time the vegetarian option is not left to keep warm at the buffet so it’s cold – there is nothing worse than cold hot food.
Now, the plusses! (if that’s a word) The rooms are great, and our maid Val is a dream, very lovely and was great the day we had to spend in the room from illness. The rooms themselves are also spacious, comfy and clean for the jungle and once the hot water got working it was probably the best shower we have had since leaving NZ.
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The lodge itself is located bang in the heart of the jungle so you really get to experience what life is like here and all the wildlife that surrounds the place. Now, the wildlife …the reason you book to come and stay here. WOW, that is the number 1 reason for sure, as it is literally at your finger tips. From the balcony filled with crocs and fish below to the bats that pretty much live in your bathroom and to be woken every morning by howler monkeys, you get a real taste of jungle life here.
The activities provided means that you don’t have to think, plan or arrange anything, instead just be told what is on the menu next, which is one of the other main reasons that we choses here. Overall, we would give Pantanal jungle lodge a 7/10 as it is bloody expensive and unfortunately the little things from working in Tourism really piss us off when it comes to customer care.
Overall for 5 days/ 4 nights all inclusive -MINUS ANY DRINKS, it cost us around $750NZD pp and if you are planning to go let us know so we can give more tips and advice. Their website can be reached here: www.pantanaljunglelodge.com.br