Corumbá travel guide

Situated on the south bank of the Rio Paraguai, by a broad bend, 15 minutes from the Bolivian border, Corumbá has long been considered the best starting point for visiting the southern part of the Pantanal. While many tour operators have moved to Campo Grande, Corumbá offers trips by boat or jeep and access to the major hotel and farm accommodation. Almost all of the Campo Grande agencies have offices here and there are still a number of upmarket cruise companies along the waterfront.

Corumbá was one of South America’s most important river ports in the 19th century and has beautiful views along the river, especially at sunset, and some remnant colonial architecture. The compact streets include the spacious Praça da Independência and Avenida General Rondon (between Frei Mariano and 7 de Septembro), which has a palm-lined promenade that comes to life in the evenings. The Forte Junqueira, the city’s most historic building, which may be visited only through a tour agency, was built in 1772. In the Serra do Urucum hills to the south is the world’s greatest reserve of manganese, now being worked.