Heading west from Campo Grande [1] to Corumbá [2], the BR-262 passes through the towns of Aquidauana and Miranda [3], both of which serve as a gateways to the southern Pantanal [4] and its many fazenda lodges [5].
The sleepy town of Aquidauana is a popular fishing destination with a few sandy beaches, but it’s not really worth staying over here. Instead check into the fazenda lodges (cattle ranch/eco-resorts) in the vicinity of Aquidauana.
If you have a few hours to kill in Aquidauana, you could do far worse than tucking into a hearty meal at O Casarão (Rua Manuel A. Paes de Barros 533, tel. 67/3241-2219, 11 a.m.–2 p.m. and 6–11 p.m. Tues.–Sun., R$10–20). Although the specialty is pintado, you can also savor pacu and jacaré.
Aquidauana is 148 kilometers (92 miles) from Campo Grande [1] (a two-hour bus ride). The neighboring town of Anastácio, on the other side of the Rio Aquidauana, is a regional transport hub with bus service to Bonito [6], Miranda [3], and Corumbá [2].
Links:
[1] http://www.moon.com/destinations/brazil/brasilia-and-the-pantanal/the-pantanal/mato-grosso-do-sul/campo-grande
[2] http://www.moon.com/destinations/brazil/brasilia-and-the-pantanal/the-pantanal/mato-grosso-do-sul/corumba
[3] http://www.moon.com/destinations/brazil/brasilia-and-the-pantanal/the-pantanal/mato-grosso-do-sul/miranda
[4] http://www.moon.com/destinations/brazil/brasilia-and-the-pantanal/the-pantanal
[5] http://www.moon.com/destinations/brazil/brasilia-and-the-pantanal/the-pantanal/fazenda-lodges-the-pantanal
[6] http://www.moon.com/destinations/brazil/brasilia-and-the-pantanal/the-pantanal/bonito