BEST JUNGLE LODGES

Staying at a jungle lodge puts you directly in touch with nature—even if your lodge is one of the more luxurious in the region. Generally, the lodges are located out in the jungle along the banks of the rivers. Most lodges will provide you with everything you need during your stay. That always includes breakfast and usually lunch and dinner, too. They also offer transportation to and from Manaus (usually by boat) for your arrival and departure, but most have limits on the amount of baggage you can carry on the boat, so pack light when visiting the Amazon. Excursions may be included in the price or treated separately, depending on the package. Almost all lodges offer jungle hikes, nighttime caiman focusing, canoeing along the shallow marshes, bird-watching, fishing for piranha, and visiting to indigenous villages. The only thing that changes is the location of these activities and the quality and style of the lodge. Note that most jungle lodges, including the most luxurious, offer cold-water showers. That’s all you’re going to want.

Acajatuba Jungle Lodge

About four hours from Manaus by boat, the Acajatuba Jungle Lodge (Lago Acajatuba, tel. 92/3233-7642, www.acajatuba.com.br) is situated on the bank of a large river formed by Rio Acajatuba, a tributary of Rio Negro. The views here are incredible and their 20 cabanas (40 rooms)—made entirely out of wood and jungle fibers—offer a rustic experience, with the comfort of air and private baths. All of their structures are built above the jungle floor and are connected by suspended walkways. The restaurant has a fantastic view of the lake and jungle. A one-night package goes for around US$180 double occupancy, with some excursions included.

Amazon Ecopark Lodge

The Amazon Ecopark Lodge (Igarapé do Tarumã, tel. 92/3234-0939, tel. 21/2275-6544, www.amazonecopark.com) has 20 rustic chalets with 60 rooms that offer air, phone, and hot-water showers. The chalets are spread over a large area, offering a sensation of semi-seclusion. Their restaurant is up in the canopy with a beautiful jungle view. They are only six kilometers from Manaus (30 minutes by boat). Suspended trails enter their piece of the jungle, where they have a Primate Rehabilitation Center to reintroduce illegally-captured monkeys into the jungle. They also offer plenty of jungle-excursion packages, focusing on their monkey park and canoe trips. A one-night package goes for around US$240 for two.

Ariaú Jungle Towers

The Ariaú Jungle Towers (Lago Ariaú in Iranduba, tel. 92/3622-5000, tel. 92/3232-4160, www.ariau.tur.br, treetop@ariautowers.com.br) is the largest of the jungle lodges in the Brazilian Amazon. It has more than 200 rooms, two restaurants, four bars, a pool, a spa, and group areas. It’s built along the banks of the Ariaú Lake, situated 2.5 hours from Manaus by boat near the Archipélago das Anavilhanas. (You can also get there by speedboat in an hour or helicopter in 15 minutes.) It’s practically a tourist attraction in itself, with more than eight kilometers of suspended walkways at the top of the jungle canopy, 40 meters above the jungle floor. They also have seven separate observation towers, connected by the walkways. Everything is made out of wood and stone and some of the structures are on stilts above the water. Their rooms range from standard with cold showers to large suites and luxury suites with Internet access. They also have their version of a presidential suite, called Tarzan’s House, which is a large, multi-level suite with two rooms and a bathtub.

They supply all types of excursions for their guests and day visitors and have English-speaking guides. Their office in Manaus is located at Rua Silva Ramos 42. A one-night package is US$300. Day visits are US$115.

Juma Jungle Hotel

On the bank of the Juma River, about 80 kilometers from Manaus (three hours by boat) is the simple and rustic Juma Jungle Hotel (Lago do Juma, Zona Rural, tel. 11/3872-0362, tel. 11/3088-1937, www.venturas.com.br, sofia@jumahotel.com.br). Built entirely on stilts, the hotel puts you right inside the jungle canopy. They offer all the usual excursions and excellent contact with native tribes. They have only eight chalets, each with private bath. A two-night package is around US$350.