Caiman Ecological Refuge

Caiman Lodge
Everything began here at the Caiman Lodge, the principal Lodge and former residence of the Caiman Ranch. The fine Spanish-style building has 11 apartments with private baths and air conditioning, a pool, a restaurant which offers delicious traditional home-made food, a living room with TV and video, and a mini-museum.


Piúva Lodge
Constructed around a leafy piúva tree, characteristic of the area, the Piúva Lodge has 6 apartments with private baths and ceiling fans, a spacious living room, a pool, a dining room and a small homestyle restaurant. The interior was totally redecorated in the style of the region's native residents - Kadiweu Indians - reproducing their art and designs throughout the building. A nearby grove of palm trees shelters numerous pairs of the increasingly rare Hyacinth Macaw.


Cordilheira Lodge
Constructed on brick and raised on wood stilts, the Cordilheira Lodge - situated on the edge of a seasonal wetland - boasts a special castle-like observation tower wich provides a more extensive view of the surrounding ridges. Inside 6 apartments with private baths and terraces, an ample rustic living room and a homestyle restaurant, with ceiling fans throughout.


Baiazinha Lodge
Raised on wood stilts and resembling a bird with outstretched wings, the Baiazinha Lodge stands at the edge of a small cove of permanent wtland, facing a tree-covered islet. The islet servers as a Rookery (dormitory) for Roseate Spoonbills, Egrets, Cormorants, Ibis, Wood Storks and many others. This rustic style Lodge houses 6 apartments with private baths and terraces, ceiling fans, an ample living room with large porch, a homestyle restaurant and an observation tower. A typical excursion is by rowboat, for observing the flight patterns of incoming flocks of birds in the luxuriant glow of the sunset.

Sao Domingos Lodge
The Sao Domingos Lodge, on the Aquidauana River, is the most rustic Lodge and was built to provide shelter for travellers passing through on horseback, or to accomodate those who are on motor-boat trips. In the future, the lodge will be rebuilt in another architectural style, preserving the original living and restaurant area.