The Rio Ivinhema is a significant river of Mato Grosso do Sul state in southwestern Brazil, flowing approximately 231 kilometers in a northwest to southeast direction. It is a major tributary of the Paraná River basin, eventually joining the Rio São José. The river flows through the Parque Estadual Várzeas do Rio Ivinhema, a state park that protects its floodplain ecosystems, offering a key access point for paddlers near Pôrto Barra do Ivinhema. The park provides a specific kayak and canoe trail along the Córrego Curupaí, indicating managed recreational use. The overall character of paddling here is one of immersion in a natural floodplain environment, with activities like kayaking and canoeing promoted as a way to explore the river's scenic beauty. The river's course and its protected status within the park suggest encounters with diverse wildlife and natural features characteristic of the Pantanal and Cerrado regions of central-western Brazil. Paddlers should inquire locally about any specific regulations governing the Parque Estadual Várzeas do Rio Ivinhema before embarking.