Bonito, Mato Grosso do Sul

The river water around the town of Bonito is startlingly clear. Depending on the light, the waters here can appear bright turquoise, and its clarity makes it easy to see the fish that make rivers such as the Sucuri River, their home. You might encounter diverse species such as the large round piraputanga and the tiny gleaming silver fish, aptly named 'shiners'.

The water is crystal clear because it filters naturally though the region's limestone rock. With snorkels and floatation devices you can drift along with the current enjoying the view of the vegetation and wildlife as you go, as the dappled sunlight brightens the river floor. There are a number of Brazil tours that enable you to enjoy Brazilian scenery in this way; most are comprised of a combination of overland trekking and underwater exploration.

Preserving the beauty of the area around Bonito is a priority for local people, so operators offering Brazil tours have to be registered and the number of visitors to the region is regulated. This means those who visit on holidays to Brazil are a privileged few.