Dive Into the Wonders of North and South Malé Atoll: A Marine Sanctuary Just a Speedboat Away

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Bonito is undoubtedly a hidden paradise in the heart of Brazil, where you can connect with nature through its crystal-clear waters, mysterious caves, stunning waterfalls, and unique biodiversity. This destination is a feast for the eyes and a rush for the heart. Have you ever experienced this thrill?

For those who haven’t yet discovered this national treasure, Bonito, located in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, is world-renowned for its high-level ecotourism and is considered one of the best adventure tourism destinations in the country.

The destination stands out not only for its environmental conservation but also for how it uniquely offers extreme activities, all in harmony with nature. Whether you love outdoor adventures or are seeking intense experiences, Bonito is the perfect place to create unforgettable moments. Get ready to be amazed and discover the adventures waiting for you in this paradise of Mato Grosso do Sul!

Snorkeling in Rio da Prata

Floating in the transparent waters of Rio da Prata is a magical experience. During the 1.5-hour journey, you’ll pass through lush vegetation, surrounded by colorful fish. The sensation of truly being suspended in the water is simply indescribable—you have to experience it! A useful tip is to wear a neoprene suit for comfort or rent one from local agencies, as the water can be quite cold. And remember to respect the environment—sunscreen and insect repellents are prohibited in these areas.

Waterfall Rappelling

Love challenges? Try waterfall rappelling in Bonito! A 50-meter descent through the forest, with the sound of cascading water, will send your adrenaline levels soaring. It’s undoubtedly one of the most thrilling experiences in the city. Be prepared physically, as the trail to the top requires some effort. And, of course, take in the breathtaking view before making your descent!

Boia Cross on Rio Formoso

Fun for all ages, Boia Cross on Rio Formoso guarantees excitement whether you’re traveling solo or with family. You’ll ride the river rapids on an inflatable tube, feeling the heat of adventure. The thrill of navigating the river’s descent is unique and provides endless fun!

Trekking and Diving in Abismo Anhumas

Abismo Anhumas offers one of the most extreme experiences in Bonito. After a challenging trek, you’ll descend 72 meters into an underground cave and dive into crystal-clear waters, surrounded by a unique underwater landscape. This is one of those activities where you feel like you’re in an exclusive, otherworldly place—an unforgettable journey.

Stand-Up Paddle on Rio Sucuri

For those looking for a more tranquil experience, stand-up paddleboarding on Rio Sucuri is an excellent option. Gliding across the crystal-clear water while observing aquatic life is both relaxing and rejuvenating. If you’ve never tried it before, don’t worry—hiring a local agency will provide guidance and add a little challenge to your adventure.

When is the Best Time for Adventure?

Bonito is located in central-western Brazil and has a tropical highland climate, characterized by warm temperatures year-round and a distinct rainy season. The best time to enjoy adventure activities in Bonito is from March to November when the weather is milder, and the waters remain crystal clear—perfect for snorkeling and diving.

From March to June, the atmosphere is calmer, with fewer tourists. July to September is peak season, attracting more visitors with its fresh climate. October and November offer pleasant temperatures and lush vegetation. The rainy season, from December to February, can affect some outdoor activities.

Want to know more about these adventures? Visit the destination’s official website and Instagram.

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Adventure Themed Activities:

A taste of history is discovered through a walking tour to The Saddle Hill Battery, which was used by British Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson as a lookout point in the late 1700s. Other tour packages include tranquil hikes around the island’s natural water falls.
For travelers with a need for speed, Queen City ATV tours provide all-terrain vehicles to steer the way through the trails.
The Around The Garden Tour takes place at a 5-acre fruit farm in Cades Bay built on a park model, with picnic benches.
Guests enjoy the full farm experience, which includes a sampling of a wide variety of in-season fruits such as starfruit, passion fruit, watermelon, pineapple — and, of course, mangoes, the island favorite.
For travelers with dreams of riding horseback through the Caribbean, Nevis Equestrian Centre has been guiding travelers through beach and sunset trail rides for nearly two decades. This adventure is unmatched because of the center’s highly experienced trainers to help lead the way.
Sea Lovers…
For sea lovers, Leeward Island Charters includes a relaxing sail to the southern end of the bordering island of St. Kitts with frequent stops to swim and snorkel in the protected waters of the Caribbean sea. Catamarans are provided in an array of sizes for ultimate comfort and to suit the amount of guests.
Nevis also offers a world of possibilities for scuba diving, with dozens of reefs, wrecks, and volcanic vents to explore just minutes offshore. Biking tours are also another wonderful way to spend a morning or afternoon along Nevis’ coastline, giving a unique perspective on the island’s green landscape and the towering Mount Nevis.
Wellness Experiences
For more wellness experiences, the spa treatment at one of the island’s excellent spas heightens the sense of relaxation and well-being.
At the Four Seasons Resort and Spa, travelers recharge with an array of massage services incorporating locally infused blends of Caribbean oils, scents, and spices, like The signature Nevisian Massage. Your own private paradise is offered in the Spa Under the Stars massage, which includes a romantic, outdoor, candlelit dinner in a private spa. The relaxing Ocean Breeze Beachside Treatments use the gentle breeze and the calm, crashing sound of waves to ease guests into a tranquil state of mind.
Back 2 My ROOTS SpaTique is located within the Hamilton Estate’s lush green heights near the Nevis Peak. They offer a holistic approach through organic skin care services, including: massage therapy, herbal facials, hydrotherapy, thalassotherapy and heliotherapy treatments. Guests relax in nature, as all the treatments take place outdoors, and enjoy organic refreshments from the onsite juice bar. Mountain breezes, wind chimes, and water fountains are sure to create a sense of true calm and serenity.
Montpelier Plantation Spa, surrounded by tropical gardens, is the ideal setting to revitalize the spirit. Visitors can choose from a wide range of body and facial treatments performed by certified therapists. Located on a lush plantation, the soothing sounds of nature accompany guests throughout every treatment.
For more information about Nevis, please visit them online at:  www.nevisisland.com.

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Green Cay excursion
Green Cay was one of my favorite places to snorkel. The sea grass ocean floor made for a beautiful site, but the real view were the sea turtles. The gentle creatures swam peacefully snacking on the grass around us with remora sucker fish attached to their shells. The remora oval disks cleaned the turtles shell while the sea turtle provided them protection. A beautiful synergetic relationship.
We met the famous swimming pigs at Pigs Beach. While not native to the island, it is said that they were left by sailors who planned to come back and feast on them. The pigs ranged from piglets to 400-pound giants. While friendly, the giants were very persistent on being fed.
The second load of adrenaline exposed itself when we went free diving north of Rose Island where the drop was more than 200ft. The puzzling part was the inability to see past 30 feet. While the ocean is often peaceful it is also a strong force of nature that one can fall victim to. It is safe to say, I came out with more diving experience and respect for the ocean.
Tons To Do…
One can’t go wrong with the Bahamas, the wide range of activities exceeded my expectations. My advice to anyone who can travel is to take the trip, as the ability will not always be there.
As an avid traveler I often get asked what the best part of my trips are, besides the knowledge I get to bring home it is the human connections that make them so memorable.
Take the trip.

Written By: Melissa Mireles

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Kurumba Resort 

As a Westerner, you may have only heard about the Maldives as a holiday for the rich and famous, but Kurumba Resort has changed all of that!  Now you too, can experience the lap of luxury at a value point that makes this THE most exotic vacation you will take this year.  Oh, and by the way, it has been awarded the Traveler’s Choice Award by Trip Advisor as the #1 All Inclusive Resort in Asia and the #3 All Inclusive Resort in the World, so it is hard to beat!

At the Airport – Team members are readily available and awaiting your arrival with a sign at the airport.  One thing that makes this adventure special will be having Kurumba’s private speedboat waiting for you at the Male airport to take you to your island resort getaway, which will only take 20 minutes. Upon arrival to the island, they will greet you at the dock and bring your bags to the main outdoor lobby with a welcoming coconut sorbet, where soon enough, you will be whisked away by golf cart to your beachfront villa.

They have the process down to perfection, which saves you time and puts you into ‘relax mode’ right away on your vacation.  And although this resort is one of the oldest in the islands, built here in 1972, they have maintained the property and its landscape to pristine levels and have used that time to perfect its exemplary customer service.

At the Villa – The beachfront deluxe villa that I staid in was luxurious and had its own covered patio with a front row seat to the Indian Ocean’s turquoise waters and crystal clear sands that will keep you mesmerized for hours.  When you finally move from the king sized bed to the covered patio to the oversized bathroom, you will be delighted that such a wonderful bathroom exists.  In all its glory, it has an outdoor rain shower in a garden of sorts, with a soaking, jet-powered tub that has an opening to the garden outside.  You can stay in there for hours, but you better not because there is so much more to do.

What is there to do on Kurumba Island?

Spa – The Veli Spa is a true Maldivian experience set in their lush gardens and you should have a spa experience while on the island.  I chose the Thai massage, since I was on this side of the world and Thai massages are a bit unusual to get in America.  However, they have a complete spa menu for you to choose from.

Restaurants – The resort has many dining plans available, so depending on what you need for the day, they have everything from half board to dine around all inclusive.  It is important to remember that they have to import everything on to the island and so the costs involved are increased due to that. There are a lot of choices for different restaurants and they have everything from Japanese to Italian to Thai and Middle Eastern as well as the main dining area with a buffet, so there are no worries about the type of food available. I tried four of the restaurants and Thila, by far, was my favorite, but I also enjoyed the simple pizza I ordered from one of the restaurants.

Activities  – There are all types of recreational and sports type packages available
• Sunset and Dolphin Discovery Cruise –A fun evening cruise where we saw quite a few spinner dolphins jumping out of the water for a great show at sunset.

• Daily Snorkeling – The snorkeling is easy with the local house reef just outside the breakers.  Snorkeling equipment was provided free of charge and with that amazing reef, you could go alone, with a private guide or a group.

• Diving – Many of the best dive sites are located only within a 5-30 minute boat dive trip from the resort, including the Mana Point wreck dive.

•Male City Tour – Go into the capital city of Male for a tour of this culturally rich, yet bustling city on the tiny, nearby island.

There are many more activities to choose from, however I chose to only mention a few.

I went on this trip as a single traveler, but I did not feel out of place at any time during my visit to this exotic resort.  I can highly recommend it for all kinds of travelers, especially if you do not have a lot of time and want to get into ‘relax mode’ right away.  There were also many couples and even families there as well.

I wanted to mention that this resort epitomizes the “value luxury” concept, where luxury is king and value is queen.   While there are over-the-top luxury experiences in the Maldives, this resort is at the perfect price point and balances luxury with value.

What:  Kurumba Resort

Where:  Kurumba, Maldives, Indian Ocean

Rooms: 180 rooms from superior rooms to deluxe residences with private pools and everything in between

Amenities:

• Very high quality Molten Brown bath soaps, shampoo, conditioner and body lotion

• Free In-room Wi Fi – it worked amazing well for such a remote island

• Good quality beach towels in the villa

• Free laundry service for 25 items every 4 days

Trip Advisor Rating: #10 out of #171 hotels in the Maldives

Costs: upwards of $300 USD per day for the beachfront villa plus the food program that runs $55 to $155 per person per day depending on the season.

By: Dr. Cacinda Maloney
www.pointsandtravel.com 

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