"i visited two other pousada before this one, and glad i waited for this one. standard package at pousada is one daily activity, dinner on day of arrival, then breakfast and lunch the next day, before checking out. credit card is accepted at property. I negotiated to have two activities included. I chose night safari (truck) for the day of arrival and river safari (boat) for the next morning. sightings for each * night safari - tapirs, crab-eating foxes, marsh deer, and baby caiman * river safari - many birds, caimans, capybaras, green iguana, howler monkey, ocelot there are also a lot of animals, wild and domesticated, on property: a smorgasboard of birds, tegu, horses, and pigs, as well as a residential caiman named Zico. the iconic bird of Pantanal, Jabiru stock, also built its nest at the tree right in front of the property. if you self drive, you can also explore the tracks around the property in your own car. if you are a birder, I think you will like it here"

"The hotel is very well located for exploring the Pantanal. The pool was moderately clean but adequate. The children's play area was dangerous; my daughter hurt herself on a swing that lifted up. The food was decent but not the best in Brazil. The rooms were very basic, with bathrooms offering minimal comfort. The boat trip was excellent, with views of capybaras, tapirs, and numerous birds. The nighttime excursion was also good. We were supposed to go horseback riding, but a jaguar had attacked and injured a horse early in the morning. We sensed the guide was tense, and we understood why, so the horses were skittish, and we abandoned the idea. There were many magnificent birds in the hotel grounds, with a beautiful view from the elevated area, and numerous caimans near the hotel in the river. The aperitifs were very good, with a fire outside to create a warm atmosphere."

"This charming lodge is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts from around the globe. The spacious rooms, each featuring multiple beds, offered comfortable shelter during my five-night solo stay—no issues with food, staff, or hospitality. While it’s a solid lodge rather than a luxury retreat, my experience was quite positive. I had the privilege of engaging with the Impacto Jaguar Research Team, who provide a truly unique educational tour of their lab and the diverse wildlife at Piuval Lodge. The area teems with fascinating animals, including jaguars and pumas. I was fortunate to spot a mother jaguar with her cub and even encountered a rare marmoset nestled in a tree hollow, among many other captivating wildlife sightings. The only downside was the somewhat slow and laggy service, likely due to the high volume of visitors—something I personally prefer to avoid. Overall, it’s a pleasant place for a short stay, offering memorable wildlife encounters, though it isn’t quite at the top tier of luxury."

"My husband and I recently had a wonderful visit to the North Pantanal. We had been booked to go to the South Pantanal but with the fires we were rebooked to the North Pantanal, staying at the Araras Lodge. The lodge is Rustic, in a very natural setting with many animals roaming the grounds. The Staff, meals and service were excellent. Carlos Delgado is a very knowledgeable and helpful guide. I would strongly recommend him as a guide. He even continues to include me on WhatsApp of any interesting sightings. If you have the chance to visit the North Pantanal, you would not be disappointed with Carlos as your guide. JKarsh"