Vegetation in the Pantanal is considered a combination of a Brazilian savannah and a tropical forest. The tropical aspect is greatly influenced by the Pantanal’s tropical brother the Amazon rainforest in the north and the savanna aspect by the Cerrado, also north of the Pantanal.

This combination brings together the influences of the Cerrado and Amazon to create a unique natural kaleidoscope. One could consider the Pantanal a tropical savannah.. In the wet season, the area is brightly green with floating plants and flowers, such as the Agape and Salvinia that create floating islands, called Camalotes. In the dry season, most of the water evaporates and much of the land is visible.