Apparently there was once a proposal to drive this road right across the Pantanal but fortunately they got only half way, to Porto Jofre and then stopped. So it's a curiously big road that effectively goes nowhere. It crosses dozens of wooden bridges although we were in the dry season and went around some of them. The road is not metalled but it's in remarkable condition nonetheless. There is some spectacular wildlife to be seen - mainly birds, but we saw some deer and the highlight was an anaconda crossing the road in front of us, perhaps ten feet long. It wasn't interested in us at all. There are a few lodges along the road, the best being at Porto Jofre at the southern end of the road. The town of Pocone at the north end has plenty of shops. Between Pocone and Porto Jofre there are no services at all.
I travelled in June and road was in good condition. However if you are coming to the pantanal you should stay at least a day or 2 in one of the local pousadas to fully appreciate it all. The day trip from Cuiaba is too long so don't bother.
Spent 9 days in the Pantanal in July 2013, so was on various sections of this road nearly every day and also used it for spotlighting tours on several nights. The road is fairly quiet and wide allowing for stopping frequently to view wildlife (mostly birds, but the odd deer, anteater, reptile, etc, presented). However, it is a dirt road so can be very dusty with dust covering surrounding vegetation. Some sections, and all of the very many wooden bridges, require travelling slowly. In July, there was no need for a 4WD.
on the first 2 km we did already stop about 10 times for capibaras, many, many birds, water buffaloos, crocodiles.It´s fun drive, but slow due to the bad condition of the road (30-40 km/h max. speed) - but by this way the animals are safe from cars & too much humans.
Driving along Transpantaneira is great! Unfortunately if you do not have a 4x4 car it will be impossible during the rainy season (until April) although we just came back on April 21 and the driving was fine. You have no gas station along the road, only on its entrance. At the end of Transpantaneira, you will find only a river, a hotel in which you may have lunch and a camping but the driving itself worths. I recommend.
This is a charming route into the Pantanal. It was so much better than we had anticipated. The surface was pretty flat, apart from going over the bridges. However, there is plenty to look at on your journey to your hotel or lodgings. We saw so much wild life on the way there and back. We travelled for about 5 hours to reach our hotel right at the end of the road. It would be a great shame if they were to tarmac this road. It keeps it the area quieter. We thought it was very good.
The first time I went to the Pantanal (Norte) in 2000, the road was really poorly maintained, especially the bridges which were more than rickety. When a bus broke down on one of the bridges, we had to wait a long time to be able to go through that area.In 2013, the road was quite good even though it was still gravel and every now and then a bridge was not usable; but being the dry season, easy detours for the bad bridges were available.I hope they don't pave the road because traffic would become quite harmful to the wildlife which is easily seen on both sides of the road.There are several hotels/motels along the Transpantaneira and all have buffet lunches for day trippers arriving from Pocone or Cuiaba.
Don't forget to charge the battery of your camara completely, because you will make many pictures of many exotic birds, kaymans and other wildlife if you can see them.
We drove here to get down to the areas of the Pantanal we planned to visit. The road was long, but the scenery and the expectations of what we might see in terms of birds and wildlife made it a great experience. The ride across the wooden bridge was exciting.
Loved the animals, and getting away from it all. This was my second visit to the Pantanal. Went primarily to see jaguars, now I just think I couldn't have as much fun any where else.