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Which is better: Bonito or Gramado?

Short answer

Bonito is in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul (MS), while Gramado is in the Serra Gaúcha (RS): different regions of Brazil. Bonito: rivers so transparent that you float over schools of fish as if you were diving into a natural aquarium; Gramado: the town of half-timbered architecture, handmade chocolate and hydrangeas. For this month's weather, Bonito has the edge.

Sources: INMET (updated 2026) · ANP · OpenStreetMap
Most reviewed activity in BonitoTransport Between Campo Grande Airport & Bonito★ 8.4 · 5 reviews · from US$ 45 · via CivitatisSee dates and price →
Most reviewed activity in GramadoTicket to Skyglass Canela★ 8.7 · 47 reviews · from US$ 29 · via CivitatisSee dates and price →
Bonito Gramado
Best time to visit May → Aug Aug → Dec
Weather this month 31° · 9 days of rain 24° · 12 days of rain
By car R$ 166 · from Campo Grande R$ 71 · from Porto Alegre
Ideal stay 3–4 days 3–4 days
Best for Adventure, Family, Relax Romantic, Food, Family, Relax
Choose Bonito if

you want a trip for adventure seekers and families: rivers so transparent that you float over schools of fish as if you were diving into a natural aquarium.

See guide
Choose Gramado if

you want a trip for couples and food lovers: mountain chill and Christmas lights almost all year.

See guide
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Where to stay

Where to stay: Bonito or Gramado

The average nightly rate is around R$ 336 in Bonito and R$ 579 in Gramado; what changes in practice is each place's season. Check current prices for your dates before deciding.

Compare hotels and places to stay in Bonito on Booking.com, with up-to-date prices and availability, before you book.

Pousada Rancho Jarinu in Bonito 9.7 ★★★ · 4 reviews Pousada Rancho Jarinu See on Booking → Wetiga Hotel in Bonito 8.5 ★★★★ · 11 reviews Wetiga Hotel See on Booking →
See all hotels in Bonito

Compare hotels and places to stay in Gramado on Booking.com, with up-to-date prices and availability, before you book.

Buona Vitta Gramado Resort & Spa by Gramado Parks in Gramado 9.3 ★★★★★ · 103 reviews Buona Vitta Gramado Resort & Spa by Gramado Parks See on Booking → Hotel Valle Dincanto in Gramado 9.5 ★★★★ · 20 reviews Hotel Valle Dincanto See on Booking →
See all hotels in Gramado

Rates change with the dates: confirm the price on Booking.com.

Frequently asked questions

Bonito or Gramado: which is better?
Bonito is in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul (MS), while Gramado is in the Serra Gaúcha (RS): different regions of Brazil. Bonito: rivers so transparent that you float over schools of fish as if you were diving into a natural aquarium; Gramado: the town of half-timbered architecture, handmade chocolate and hydrangeas. For this month's weather, Bonito has the edge.
What is the best time to visit Bonito and Gramado?
The best time to visit Bonito is from May to August; for Gramado, it is from August to December, based on INMET's climate normals (temperature and rainfall for each month). If your trip already has a date, check each destination's page for your month.
Which of the two is cheaper to get to?
By car, leaving from Campo Grande, Bonito is 300 km (186 mi) and costs about R$ 166 each way (fuel plus tolls); leaving from Porto Alegre, Gramado is 115 km (71 mi) and costs about R$ 71 each way (fuel plus tolls). The calculation assumes a car that gets 11 km/L. Lodging and activities vary with each place's season.
Where does it rain less, Bonito or Gramado?
Averaged over the year, Bonito has 8 rainy days a month and Gramado has 11. Bonito is the drier of the two over the year as a whole, but what decides the trip is the month: the rainiest month in Bonito is January and in Gramado, October. For temperature, Bonito is the warmer one (average high of 30° versus 24°).
How many days should you spend in Bonito and in Gramado?
To see the main sights without rushing, Bonito calls for 3–4 days and Gramado, 3–4 days. These are distant regions: with a week or less, it is usually better to pick one of the two and make the most of it.
Bonito or Gramado with kids?
Both work with kids: Bonito (crystal-clear waters, ecotourism, and river floating) and Gramado (half-timbered architecture, mountain chill, and handmade chocolate). The choice usually comes down to getting there, not to infrastructure. With small children, weather matters: Bonito has fewer rainy days over the year.
What should you not miss in each?
In Bonito: Gruta do Lago Azul, Rio da Prata (float), Rio Sucuri (float). In Gramado: Lago Negro, Rua Coberta, Mini Mundo. These are the sights that show up most in first-trip itineraries for each destination; the full guide to each has the whole list.