Parque Ecológico Rio Formoso, Bonito MS: tubing, horse riding and a swim

The Parque Ecológico Rio Formoso combines activities that rarely sit together: tubing on the rapids, horse riding across open country and a swimming area on the river. A day-use site for anyone who wants variety without moving on.

What the park is

The Parque Ecológico Rio Formoso is a rural property near Bonito that puts river and open country together. On one side the Rio Formoso with its rapids, where the tubing and the swimming happen; on the other the open ground of the farm, where the horse riding takes place.

That combination is unusual in the region. Most attractions around Bonito are either water or trail; here you can change environment within the same day, with no driving in between.

What river tubing is like, for a first-timer

Tubing is the simplest rapid activity there is: you sit in an individual ring, wearing a buoyancy vest, and go down the fast stretch of river facing whichever way the guide indicates. There is no paddle, no technique and no way to steer — what you control is the position of your body.

That is why it needs no preparation. What it does need is accepting water in your face and not panicking when the ring spins. The guide places the group, controls the interval between descents and collects everyone at the end.

And what the horse riding is like

The riding here is not a lesson and not a gallop: it is walking pace across country and riverbank, with a guide in front. The horses know the route and move in single file, which makes it accessible to complete beginners.

The practical advice is to wear long trousers and closed shoes with a low heel. Shorts in a saddle cause chafing and flip-flops slip out of the stirrup — two problems that appear early and ruin the outing.

How to plan the day

The order that works best is riding in the morning, when it is cooler and the horse performs better, and water in the afternoon, when the heat justifies it. The reverse — getting wet in the morning and riding under a high sun — usually leaves the group uncomfortable in both.

When to go

The park works best in hot weather, because both the tubing and the swimming depend on wanting to be wet. From October to March the heat does that job on its own; in the cooler months the water stops being a relief and starts being an effort, and the riding carries the day instead.

Rain is a separate question. A rise in the Rio Formoso changes the rapids, and the tubing can be suspended for the day while the horse riding carries on as normal. That is the argument for booking the park early in your stay rather than on the last morning, when there is no room left to move it.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to know how to ride?

No. The ride is guided, at walking pace, on horses used to beginners.

Are the activities sold together?

It varies. With many operators each is booked separately. Confirm before planning the day.

Written by: Adriano Habermann Last updated: September 13, 2026