Aquidauana: River Landscapes, Pantanal and Culture
Accommodation in Aquidauana
Aquidauana combines the landscapes of the Pantanal with a history that can be explored in its historic centre and along the river. Nature experiences, regional cuisine and culture also shape the municipality. When planning your trip, it is therefore worth deciding whether you are most interested in the river and Cerrado landscapes, historic sites or culinary experiences. These interests can also help guide your search for a suitable holiday rental for your stay.
Pantanal, River and Cerrado
The Pantanal covers 75% of the municipality of Aquidauana. The landscape is therefore an important part of the region’s identity. In the district of Camisão, Morro do Paxixi offers views across the Cerrado landscape of Mato Grosso do Sul. The area is suited to contemplative tourism and especially appeals to travellers who want to take in the landscape at a leisurely pace.
The Estrada-Parque de Piraputanga offers another perspective on the region. It follows the course of the Aquidauana River through hills, past waterfalls and along trails rich in biodiversity. In the section associated with Aquidauana, the area around Piraputanga and Camisão offers ecotourism, cycling, rural and gastronomic tourism, as well as birdwatching. This gives visitors a range of options: you can focus on nature and biodiversity or make regional landscapes and gastronomy the centre of your trip.
Historic Traces in Aquidauana
Colonial architecture can be seen in the historic centre, along the Aquidauana River and around the main church. The Igreja Matriz de Aquidauana is an architectural and historic heritage site; it was built in 1930. The railway station also tells the story of the city’s development: construction began in 1908, and it opened on 21 December 1912. Today, it houses the Estação Pantaneira restaurant, the Casa do Artesão and a tourist information centre.
The history of the former Santiago de Xerez citadel goes back even further. It was built in 1600 and destroyed by Portuguese bandeirantes in 1632. Its ruins lie by the river, about 12 km from the present-day city centre. Santiago de Xerez is counted among the first 34 cities of Spanish origin established in the Americas. The history of the citadel can thus be explored as a distinct theme alongside the colonial architecture of the present-day city centre.
For a museum visit, the Museu Marechal José Machado Lopes is one option: visits can be arranged by appointment, and admission is free. The Museu de Arte Pantaneira was established in 1998 in a building dating from 1918. If you want to include culture in your trip, these museums and historic sites offer different ideas for planning your visit.
Regional Cuisine and Handicrafts
Aquidauana’s Feirinha Indígena sells agricultural produce from the Indigenous village of Limão Verde, including corn, cassava, maxixe and seasonal fruit. The selection offers a taste of regional produce, with the changing harvest forming part of what is on offer. The Casa do Artesão also sells embroidery and handicrafts made by Terena people from villages in the municipality.
Festivals also showcase regional cuisine and traditions. The Festa do Pequi in the district of Camisão celebrates regional cuisine and Pantanal culture. It features typical dishes made with pequi, a fruit characteristic of the Cerrado. The Festa do Peixe is a traditional event in Camisão, where fish dishes such as stews, portions, soups, frittatas and lasagne are served; handicrafts are also available. The Festa da Padroeira is held in connection with 8 December and brings the local community together.
Nature Experiences and Planning Your Trip
Pantanal tourism in Aquidauana includes excursions and attractions accompanied by local guides. The six Pantanal lodges currently operating in the municipality offer horse rides, nighttime wildlife viewing with spotlights, photo safaris, hikes, trips aboard the Chalana and typical Pantanal cuisine. These activities offer a nature-focused way to experience the region. They differ from a stay devoted mainly to the historic centre, museums or regional cuisine.
Aquidauana can be reached from Campo Grande via the BR-262 and the Estrada-Parque de Piraputanga. When choosing your holiday rental, you can first consider which aspects of Aquidauana matter most for your trip: its urban heritage, cuisine and handicrafts, or nature and landscape experiences across the municipality.
For the broader travel overview: Mato Grosso Do Sul.
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