WATERFALLS AND SWIMMING

There are some wonderful waterfall parks in the area where you can swim in the natural pools and sit under the cascades for a natural massage. Some of them are all-day experiences and others just take a few hours and can be combined with other excursions. The best one is the Estância Mimosa (24 km from Bonito, www.estanciamimosa.com.br), which starts with a hike that follows the river past numerous waterfalls and pools to a few designated areas, where the pools are perfect for swimming. Some of the waterfalls have small caves behind them and there are cables and ropes for swinging into the water. The high-dive deck is a scream and you should swim up into the cave there to see a very special rock formation. Afterward, they offer an excellent regional lunch. There is an optional horseback excursion. It costs R$40 with an extra R$15 for lunch. The Cachoeiras Rio do Peixe (35 km from Bonito) involves a hike along the river until you arrive at the Rio do Peixe Waterfall, which is a large area with several cascades and great pools for swimming. Lunch is served back at the ranch. The excursion costs R$60 with lunch. A shorter version is available at the Parque das Cachoeiras (17 km from Bonito, www.parquedascachoeiras.com.br), which takes only three hours. You hike into the forest until you come to the waterfalls and pools, where you can swim and explore the natural cavern behind them. No lunch is offered and the cost is R$40.