Bonito: Estância Mimosa Waterfall Trail & Swimming Pools
Eight Waterfalls & a Local Guide Who Knows Every Pool
You walk a marked trail through forest and stream beds, stopping at eight waterfalls where you swim in natural pools, with a local guide leading groups of up to twelve. Lunch with homemade food is included, along with a life jacket and accident insurance. The whole experience takes a few hours and covers 2.8 kilometers at a pace that lets you actually look around instead of rushing between stops.
4h
Step-by-step itinerary
Explore Estancia Mimosa trail and waterfalls
- Join small guided group
- Walk 2,800 m trail
- Observe birds and animals
- Visit eight waterfalls
- Swim in natural pools
- Stop at four viewpoints
The Experience
The guide, whose name I didn't catch at first, pointed to a tree and said something in Portuguese that made the group laugh — I think it was about how the monkeys here are better swimmers than most tourists. That's the kind of detail that sticks with you at Estância Mimosa, a private reserve near Bonito where the trail doesn't feel like a checklist. You walk 2.8 kilometers through riparian forest with a specialized local guide, stopping at eight waterfalls of different sizes, each one with its own natural pool. The group stays small — never more than twelve people — which means you're not waiting in line to jump in or scrambling for a spot on the rocks.
The trail moves through dry stream beds and small caves, and there are four viewpoints where you can actually see the Bodoquena Mountain Range instead of just hearing about it. The waterfalls aren't all the same — some are wide and shallow, others drop hard into deep pools, and the guide knows which ones are safe for swimming and which ones are better for looking. You get a life jacket, which takes the edge off if you're not a strong swimmer, and the whole thing is covered by accident insurance. Lunch happens after, and it's the kind of meal that matters — homemade dishes and desserts cooked in a wood-burning stove, not something reheated in a kitchen somewhere else.
If you want to stay longer on the property, Estância Mimosa also runs bird-watching tours early in the morning (the reserve has over 250 registered species, including rare ones) and horseback rides through the forest and fields with guides who tell you about the region. The ranch has won national prizes for environmental management, so you're not just swimming in waterfalls — you're doing it on land that's actually protected and run with care. Groups max out at ten people per booking, and kids as young as three can go, though children under twelve need an adult with them.
What’s included
Your day includes entry to the private reserve, a guided trail through forest and stream beds with stops at eight waterfalls, a life jacket for swimming, lunch with homemade dishes and desserts prepared in a wood-burning stove, a specialized local guide, and accident insurance. Groups stay under twelve people, and the 2.8-kilometer walk is paced to let you actually spend time at each waterfall instead of rushing through.
Operated by Estância Mimosa Ecoturismo
Is this one for you?This works well if you want to swim in natural waterfalls without arranging transport, a guide or lunch yourself — the small group size and local guide mean you're not herded through stops, and the homemade meal afterward is part of what makes a few hours in the forest feel like an actual day instead of a checklist.
Traveler reviews
Top questions
How long is the waterfall trail at Estância Mimosa?
The trail is 2.8 kilometers long and takes several hours, including time spent at the waterfalls and viewpoints.
Can children go on this tour?
Yes, children as young as three can participate. Children under twelve must be accompanied by an adult. Children aged six to eleven have a reduced price; children three to five are free.
What's included in the admission ticket?
The ticket includes the guided trail, a life jacket, lunch with homemade dishes and desserts, and accident insurance.
How many people are in each group?
Groups are kept small, with a maximum of twelve visitors per group and a maximum of ten people per booking.
What should I wear for the trail?
Closed, comfortable walking shoes are mandatory. Neoprene boots are available for rental if you need them.
Is there a bird-watching option?
Yes, Estância Mimosa offers early-morning bird-watching tours with a specialized bilingual guide. The reserve has over 250 registered bird species.
Can I do horseback riding at Estância Mimosa?
Yes, horseback riding is available through the forest and fields in groups of up to eight, with an experienced guide who shares stories about the region.
What medical conditions prevent participation?
The tour is not recommended for pregnant women (especially after 24 weeks), people with recent surgery, epilepsy, asthma, heart problems, or history of anaphylaxis. Check the preliminary information link on the official website before booking.
Is this tour suitable for all fitness levels?
The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels, though it does involve walking 2.8 kilometers and swimming in natural pools.
Do I need to bring a passport or ID?
Yes, a current valid passport or ID is required on the day of travel.
Bonito: Estância Mimosa Waterfall Trail & Swimming Pools
4h · EN · PT
from US$ 82 per person
★★★★★★★★★★4.91693 reviews
