The Rio Taquari in Mato Grosso do Sul is a significant river within the Pantanal basin, originating in the state of Mato Grosso and forming a border with Mato Grosso do Sul. Its course is described as very winding, fast, and cornered. The river holds important historical significance for the state. Paddlers can navigate, kayak, and do some light rafting on its waters. The river flows through the vast Pantanal region, and its headwaters are protected within the 30,619-hectare Nascentes do Rio Taquari State Park. However, the Rio Taquari is also noted as the most degraded river in the Pantanal basin of Mato Grosso do Sul, with significant alterations to its course in recent decades due to natural avulsion processes, which can dramatically reshape the floodplain. This degradation is a key consideration for water quality and the overall environmental character of the paddling experience. The town of Coxim appears to be a notable point of reference along the river. The river's winding nature and status as a major, though degraded, waterway in the Pantanal define its character for paddlers.