Category: Amazon

Discover Jaú National Park in Brazil, one of the largest protected areas of the Amazon, including its locations, history, culture, wildlife, and much more!

Jaú National Park covers an impressive area of 2.27 million hectares in the middle of the Amazon Rainforest, protecting the entire basin of the Jaú River, a blackwater tributary of the Rio Negro. 

As the fourth largest forest reserve in Brazil and the third largest park in the world with intact tropical rainforest, Jaú preserves flooded forests and rare ecosystems that shelter incredible biodiversity. Its dark rivers reflect the sky and forest like a mirror, creating ever-changing landscapes through the seasons.

Curious to learn more about it? PlanetaEXO, an ecotourism platform specializing in Amazon Rainforest tours in Brazil, has put together a comprehensive guide about Jaú. Check it out below!

The History of Jaú National Park

Jaú was created in September 1980 to protect one of the largest blackwater river basins in the world. Its name comes from the jaú fish, a giant catfish species that inhabits these rivers.

The park holds archaeological sites and ancient petroglyphs carved into rocks—evidence of human presence in the Amazon for thousands of years. These traces highlight the cultural importance of the area alongside its natural wealth.

Today, it stands as a global symbol of Amazonian conservation, preserving ecosystems essential to biodiversity and climate balance while protecting valuable cultural heritage.

Global Ecological Relevance

Since 2000, Jaú National Park has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site as a core area of the Central Amazon Conservation Complex, which is formed by Jaú, Anavilhanas National Park, Amanã Sustainable Development Reserve, and Mamirauá Sustainable Development Reserve.

It is also considered a biosphere reserve (an international designation by UNESCO for areas that balance the conservation of biodiversity with sustainable human development) and a Ramsar Site (a wetland designated to be of international importance under the Ramsar Convention, an intergovernmental environmental treaty signed in Iran in 1971).

Where is Jaú National Park located?

Jaú is located between the municipalities of Novo Airão and Barcelos, in Amazonas, in the north of Brazil. The park entrance is approximately 220 km from Manaus, the state capital.

How to get to Jaú National Park?

The starting point for any visit is Manaus, the main gateway of the Brazilian Amazon. From there, travelers join guided tours that take them directly to Novo Airão and the protected area of Jaú.

From Manaus, you need to drive along highways AM-070 and AM-352 to Novo Airão (2–3 hours). Then, travelers must continue along the Rio Negro by speedboat or motorboat for another 1–2 hours.

Due to the demanding route and the mandatory authorization to enter the park, it is recommended that travelers hire duly accredited tour operators to provide all transportation logistics, such as PlanetaEXO.

👉 Read more: How to get to the Amazon Rainforest in Brazil

Best Time to Visit Jaú National Park

The Amazon Rainforest has two main seasons that shape every experience in the forest. Between March and August, rivers rise and form the igapós (flooded forests). Great time for canoeing across the flooded areas and wildlife watching!

From September to February, the waters recede and sandy beaches appear along the Rio Negro and its tributaries. Trails become more accessible, allowing visitors to reach waterfalls and rocky formations such as those in the Carabinani River.

Each season offers unique perspectives. Whether you prefer paddling among submerged forests or hiking to waterfalls and ancient caves, your choice depends on your travel style.

👉 Read more: Best time to visit the Amazon Rainforest

Fauna, Flora and Protected Systems

According to IPHAN (Brazil’s National Institute of Historical and Artistic Heritage), Jaú is home to around 400 types of plants, including species that only grow in flooded areas, such as macaricuia and mucucu do igapé. Throughout its territory, there are also açaí and Brazil nut trees.

The animals in Jaú National Park are equally diverse. The park has the largest variety of electric fish in the world, which are part of the 263 species of fish officially cataloged in the region. Other notable animals are the Amazonian manatees, black caiman, harpy eagles, giant otters, pink river dolphins, jaguars, etc.

As part of Ibama’s Parks and Reserves Project—an initiative that seeks to promote sustainable development plans led by the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources—Jaú is the geographic center of the Amazon Ecological Corridor.

👉 Read more: Best Brazil Wildlife Tours and Destinations 

Fun Facts About Jaú National Park

Explore more fascinating details about Jaú National Park that illustrate why it is ranked among the Amazon’s most enchanting destinations:

• Size: With 2.27 million hectares, Jaú is the largest national park in the Brazilian Amazon. To put it in perspective, it is larger than Wales, El Salvador, and Slovenia.
• Exploration style: The only way to visit responsibly is through organized expeditions, mainly small-group cruises that ensure safety and sustainability.
• Diversity of experiences: In a single trip, you can visit caves formed 700 million years ago, swim in blackwater rivers, join night safaris, and interact with riverside and indigenous families.

What to Do in Jaú National Park

Activities inside Jaú are always led by experienced guides and designed to respect conservation rules. Instead of mass tourism, visitors join small-group expeditions that highlight both nature and culture.

One of the main activities is canoeing through blackwater rivers and igapós. Here, travelers may spot giant river otters, exotic birds, or even caiman during night excursions. Hiking trails are also part of the itineraries, offering the chance to walk under the forest and learn more about native plants and animals.

Another unforgettable experience is visiting the Aturiá community. Guests interact with local families, taste seasonal fruits, and learn about daily life in the Amazon. Combined with refreshing swims in natural pools and waterfalls, these moments reveal just how diverse the forest is.

👉 Read more: Best Amazon Jungle Lodges in Brazil

Katerre Expedition

The Katerre Expeditions are the most complete way to explore Jaú and its surroundings. Operated on comfortable boats with rustic designs and three decks, these river cruises combine adventure with all-inclusive service.

• 5-day Amazon River Cruise in Brazil: This journey takes travelers from Novo Airão through Anavilhanas National Park and deep into Jaú. Highlights include hikes to the Madadá Caves, canoe trips, wildlife observation, cultural exchanges with local communities, and nighttime canoe trips.
• 7-day Amazon Cruise Trip in Brazil: Expanding the experience, it includes the Meeting of Waters in Manaus, visits to Velho Airão (a historic abandoned settlement), petroglyphs, and more days inside Jaú. Travelers enjoy birdwatching, cultural immersion in riverside villages, and forest hikes to giant kapok trees.

Both options are small-group expeditions with a maximum of 16 passengers. As a result, each journey offers an intimate and authentic way to experience the park.

👉 Read more: Best Amazon River Cruises in Brazil

Traveling to Jaú National Park with PlanetaEXO

Choosing PlanetaEXO, an ecotourism platform specializing in Amazon Rainforest tours in Brazil, means traveling with purpose. Every expedition is organized in partnership with local operators, ensuring that the economic benefits stay in the community while respecting environmental standards. 

The expeditions balance comfort and authenticity, with boats and lodges designed for immersive experiences and itineraries that highlight both nature and culture. By joining one of these journeys, you live the vacation of your dreams and directly support projects that protect wildlife and strengthen community-based tourism. Contact us now!

Learn everything you should know about the Anavilhanas in the Amazon Rainforest, including its history, how to get there, the best time to visit, what to do, and more!

Anavilhanas National Park is home to the second largest river archipelago in the world. Located on the Rio Negro in the Amazon Rainforest, Brazil, it holds more than 400 islands and 60 lakes, with up to 60% of its area submerged during the wet season, transforming the landscape every year.

The Anavilhanas archipelago safeguards unique ecosystems of várzea (a flat, fertile, and extensive terrain, usually located on the banks of Amazonian rivers) and igapó (flooded forest) while promoting sustainable tourism. This shift boosted the economy of the city of Novo Airão and made it the most visited national park in the Brazilian Amazon.

To help you understand the national park, PlanetaEXO, an ecotourism platform specializing in Amazon Rainforest tours in Brazil, has put together a complete guide on where it is, how to visit, the best activities, and much more. Check it out below!

The History of Anavilhanas National Park 

The name Anavilhanas is believed to have originated from the Aneuene or Anauini River, which was once called Anaviana and later Anavilhena.

Its origins trace back to 1981, when it was created as the Anavilhanas Ecological Station, a category aimed at scientific research and environmental education. However, this designation conflicted with the reality of the region, which was better suited for sustainable tourism. In 2008, ICMBio reclassified the area as a national park, expanding its boundaries to 350,000 hectares and opening it to responsible visitation.

The change also helped curb illegal logging, which had previously been common in the Rio Negro basin, and gave local communities new opportunities through ecotourism. Today, most of Novo Airão’s population relies directly or indirectly on tourism, from guiding to crafts and hospitality.

👉 Read more: Best places to visit in the Amazon, Brazil 

Worldwide Recognitions

Since 2000, the Anavilhanas archipelago has been part of the Central Amazon Conservation Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that also includes Jaú National Park and the Mamirauá Reserve. 

It is also recognized as a Ramsar Site, a wetland of global importance, designated by the Ramsar Convention—an international treaty signed in 1971 in Iran, aimed at the conservation and wise use of wetlands (swamps, mangroves, lagoons, etc.) with the participation of more than 160 countries.

These recognitions ensure international visibility, long-term protection, and support for responsible tourism that benefits local communities while safeguarding biodiversity.

How to Get to Anavilhanas National Park? 

The main gateway to Anavilhanas is Manaus, the capital of Amazonas state. Eduardo Gomes International Airport (MAO) receives direct flights from Miami (MIA), Bogota (BOG), Panama City (PTY), and Curaçao (CUR), as well as numerous daily connections from São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Brasília, and other Brazilian cities.

From Manaus, the most popular way to reach the park is by road to Novo Airão, a small riverside town located 180 km away. The drive takes around 2–3 hours along the AM-070 and AM-352 highways. 

Visitors can also hire private shuttle services, rent a car, or even charter a hydroplane to land directly on the Rio Negro. Novo Airão is considered the main access point to Anavilhanas, with boats departing every day to explore the islands.

Another option is arriving by river. Boat transfers from Manaus to Novo Airão take 8–12 hours and allow travelers to witness the famous Meeting of the Waters, where the dark Rio Negro and the muddy Solimões flow side by side without mixing.

For those looking for a faster option, speedboats can make the same journey in around 3–4 hours, depending on river conditions. Many itineraries combine this journey with river cruises, which gives visitors a complete experience of the region.

👉 Read more: How to get to the Amazon Rainforest in Brazil

Best Time to Visit Anavilhanas National Park, Brazil

The park is a year-round destination, but the experience changes dramatically with the seasons. In fact, this is a feature that makes Anavilhanas even more unique! 

• Dry Season (September–February): White-sand beaches emerge across the islands, providing ideal conditions for swimming and birdwatching. Some species even nest in the sandbanks during this period. Trails through the flooded forests can be explored on foot.
• Wet Season (March–August): Water levels rise up to 16 meters, flooding 60% of the park’s area. This is the time to explore the igapó by canoe and observe aquatic animals like giant river otters and river dolphins.
• Transition Months: From October to December, prolonged droughts may reduce access to some areas, but conditions improve again by January.

👉 Read more: Best time to visit the Amazon Rainforest

Fauna, Flora, and the Protected Systems of Anavilhanas in the Amazon

The biodiversity of Anavilhanas National Park is astonishing. The igapós flood seasonally, creating habitats for unique plants and wildlife. Visitors may spot giant macucu trees, orchids, and fruiting species like açaí and cupuaçu. Among the most emblematic Amazon animals are the pink river dolphin, giant river otters, sloths, howler monkeys, and black caimans. 

Birdwatchers will be delighted with sightings of toucans, macaws, and even the majestic harpy eagle. In the rivers and lakes, more than 300 fish species thrive, including pirarucu, piranhas, and dourada.

Scientific research in Anavilhanas is vital and already brings important discoveries. A recent INPA (National Institute of Amazonian Research) study found that ant communities on the islands differ from those on terra-firme (non-flooded forest), with seasonal flooding driving changes in species composition. Some ants adapt by moving to tree canopies, while others struggle to survive.

All of this (and much more) reinforces the park’s role in protecting biodiversity and in advancing ecological knowledge.

👉 Read more: Best Brazil Wildlife Tours and Destinations 

Fun Facts About Anavilhanas

Discover more fascinating facts about Anavilhanas that further highlight why the park is considered one of the most captivating places in the Amazon:

• 3 Bocas (Three Mouths): one of the most scenic spots in the archipelago, where three channels meet, creating mirrored waters and lush vegetation.
• The Madadá Caves are nearby: sandstone formations over 700 million years old, accessible by trails that start at the edge of the park.
• No mosquitoes: thanks to the acidity of the Rio Negro, the area is far less affected by mosquitoes than most tropical regions.
• Visitor numbers: Anavilhanas welcomes up to 40,000 visitors annually, making it the most visited national park in the Brazilian Amazon.
• Around 60 lakes: in addition to the 400+ islands, the archipelago shelters dozens of lakes that sustain a wide variety of wildlife.

What to Do in Anavilhanas National Park?

Anavilhanas offers a wide range of activities that change with the seasons:

• Boat tours: through water channels and lakes, with chances to see pink river dolphins, caimans, and many bird species.
• White-sand beaches: when the rivers shrink, many beaches appear. Perfect for swimming and relaxing in the dry season!
• Igapós (flooded forests): ideal for canoe or kayak trips through waterways during the wet season.
• Jungle hikes: see giant trees, orchids, and even prehistoric rock carvings by hiking in the forest when water levels drop.
• Visit the ICMBio bases: visitors can stop at research and monitoring structures to learn about ongoing conservation measures and the protection of this fragile ecosystem. In the surrounding areas, during nighttime spotlights and near some ICMBio bases, large caimans also make occasional appearances.

👉 Read more: Top things to do in the Amazon Rainforest in Brazil 

Best Tours in the Anavilhanas Archipelago

Some of the best experiences in the Amazon Rainforest take place in Anavilhanas National Park, Brazil. Discover the trips available on PlanetaEXO!

Anavilhanas Jungle Lodge

One of the best ways to experience the park is by staying at the Anavilhanas Jungle Lodge, an award-winning ecolodge located in Novo Airão. Blending comfort with sustainability, the lodge offers guided excursions such as piranha fishing, nocturnal wildlife tours, canoeing, and visits to local communities.

Guests can also learn about scientific projects supported by the lodge, including biodiversity monitoring with researchers from INPA (National Institute for Amazonian Research) and innovative studies on fungi for “mycotourism,” which highlight the lesser-known but fascinating world of the Amazon’s fungi.

With luxury bungalows overlooking the Rio Negro, a pool with panoramic views, and Amazon-inspired cuisine, the lodge is both a refuge and a hub for conservation.

Amazon River Cruises

Another great way to experience the park is on an Amazon river cruise in Brazil, departing from Manaus and sailing through the Rio Negro. Mixing adventure and comfort, the itinerary includes canoeing through igapós, piranha fishing, jungle hiking, and close encounters with pink river dolphins. 

Travelers also visit Indigenous and riverside communities, explore hidden lagoons, and spot wildlife such as macaws, sloths, and pirarucu fish.

On board, guests enjoy air-conditioned cabins, local cuisine, and leisure areas like a solarium and lounge, making the journey as enjoyable as the destination of Anavilhanas. 

👉 Explore the adventure: 4-day and 7-day Amazon cruises in Brazil

Mirante do Gavião

Staying at the Mirante do Gavião is one of the best ways to discover Anavilhanas. From the its privileged location on the Rio Negro, guests set out on daily tours through the archipelago, whether hiking to the Madadá Caves, exploring flooded forests by canoe, or relaxing on the white-sand beaches during the dry season.

The lodge also connects travelers with the local culture, including visits to riverside communities, craft centers, and conservation initiatives. At sunset, boat rides across the Rio Negro provide unforgettable views of the park’s islands, followed by nocturnal excursions to spot caimans and other animals.

Between adventures, Mirante do Gavião offers comfort and exclusivity, making it the perfect base to combine relaxation with the best tours in the Anavilhanas National Park.

👉 Read more: Best Amazon Jungle Lodges in Brazil

Luxury Amazon Cruise

The Luxury Amazon Cruise aboard the Untamed is a 5-day journey through the Rio Negro and the Anavilhanas archipelago. Guests explore hidden lakes and igarapés (narrow water channels), hike to giant trees, try piranha fishing, and meet pink river dolphins while also visiting Indigenous and riverside communities.

Designed to offer the ultimate in exclusivity, the vessel features three levels, eight air-conditioned cabins with private bathrooms (accommodating up to 16 guests), panoramic forest views, and elegant common areas.

It is also considered the most sustainable cruise in the Amazon, thanks to its water treatment system, solar power, and fuel-efficient engines.

👉 Read more: Best Amazon River Cruises in Brazil

Comparative price table for each Anavilhanas tour

TOUR	HIGHLIGHTS	DURATION	STARTING PRICE*
Anavilhanas Jungle Lodge	Luxury accommodation, visits to local communities, Madadá Caves, guided tours (canoeing, hiking, wildlife watching, night tours, etc.)	6 days	US$ 3,275
Amazon River Cruise	Accommodation aboard (private ensuite cabins), Lake Janauari, visits to indigenous groups, guided tours (piranha fishing, hiking, canoeing, wildlife spotting, etc.)	4 days 7 days	US$ 2,570
Mirante do Gavião	High-end accommodation, Rio Negro, Madadá Caves, visits to riverside communities, guided tours (hiking, kayaking, wildlife watching, etc.)	4 days	US$ 1,910
Luxury Amazon Cruise	Liveaboard on a luxury riverboat, Anavilhanas, Janauari Park, Acajatuba Lake, community visits, guided tours (hiking, birdwatching, fishing, river beaches, etc).	5 days	US$ 4,065

*Per person, based on double occupancy in group departures. Prices may vary depending on season and availability. Exchange rate as of July 31st, 2026; subject to change.

Traveling to Anavilhanas National Park, Brazil, with PlanetaEXO

At PlanetaEXO, an ecotourism platform specializing in Amazon Rainforest tours in Brazil, the trips to Anavilhanas are designed to connect travelers with nature while supporting local communities and conservation projects. By booking with us, you ensure that your vacation contributes to keeping the Amazon forest standing.

We help travelers find the perfect balance between leisure, adventure, and sustainability. Our difference lies in offering authentic experiences guided by the best local operators who know the forest better than anyone. Contact us now!

From jungle lodges to river cruises, see how ecotourism in Brazil thrives in these 7 incredible Amazon tours!

Highlighted by The Wall Street Journal in 2024 as a nature destination worth visiting, ecotourism in the Amazon Rainforest is crucial for economic growth, for the financial health of local communities, and for environmental protection.

Every year, tourists from all over the world travel to the Amazon and explore the wonders of one of the most fascinating places on Earth. By relying on the expertise of professionals who truly love and respect nature, it’s possible to experience a fantastic trip while supporting the environment. 

As a platform that specializes in Amazon Rainforest tours in Brazil and works with the best local operators, PlanetaEXO has curated a list of 7 experiences you just can’t miss. Check it out below!

1) Amazon Jungle Tour from Manaus

Starting off strong with an affordable, yet amazing experience, this tour allows for a deep dive into the Amazon’s untouched beauty. The adventure starts on the way to the lodge — departing from Manaus, the Meeting of Waters and visits to local markets kick off the trip.

The itinerary is packed with authentic activities: hiking, canoeing, piranha fishing, birdwatching, visiting local communities, and sunrise and sunset contemplation. 

After a busy day, get some rest at the lodge in charming, cozy bungalows equipped with comfortable beds, private bathrooms and air-conditioning. In the common areas, eat your meals at the restaurant, get a drink at the bar or have fun with friends and family in the gaming room or the TV lounge. 

Available in 3-day, 4-day, and 5-day tours. Learn more about this adventure.

👉 Read more: How to get to the Amazon Rainforest in Brazil?

2) Amazon cruise in Brazil

Did you know you can go on cruises in the Amazon Rainforest? Beautiful vessels peacefully glide across the dark waters of the Negro River, granting a totally different Amazon tour experience.

Besides enjoying a delightful stay, guests have the time of their lives with expeditions to Anavilhanas and Jaú National Park, exploring the Madadá Caves, hiking in the forest, relaxing on river beaches, wildlife watching and visiting indigenous groups.

The 3-floor vessel can comfortably accommodate up to 16 guests in private ensuite cabins with air-conditioning and a lovely, rustic decor. Leisure areas include a solarium, a dining room, a living room and a bar.

Available in 4-day, 5-day, and 7-day tours. Learn more about this adventure.

👉 Read more: Best Amazon River Cruises in Brazil

3) Exclusive tour in Avanilhanas National Park

Mirante do Gavião is one of the highest-rated Amazon ecolodges, acclaimed for its gorgeous architecture and great location — facing the Negro River and Anavilhanas National Park.

Activities like hiking, kayaking, stand-up paddling, night spotting, cave exploration, visiting riverside communities and boat rides are all part of the itinerary. Perfect for outdoorsy guests!

This tour also proves that ecotourism in the Amazon can coexist with comfort. The lodge offers three categories of high-end accommodations, as well as a gaming room, a swimming pool, a fine dining restaurant and a barbecue area. 

Available in 4-day and 5-day tours. Learn more about this adventure.

4) Floating ecolodge in Mamirauá Reserve

Departing from Tefé, you’ll enjoy an unforgettable experience in the Mamirauá Sustainable Development Reserve, where a floating ecolodge lies on the dark waters of the river, surrounded by lush green vegetation and infinite blue sky.

This 5-day Amazon tour is packed with adventure, including night and photo safaris, piranha fishing, boat rides, canoeing, visiting local villages, and much more.

Uakari Lodge is the only accommodation in Latin America featured in The New York Times’ list of floating hotels worth visiting worldwide. The publication highlights its infrastructure, immersive nature experiences, and the Community-Based Tourism (CBT) model, which benefits both the environment and local residents.

The entire infrastructure of the lodge is built on stilts, which means guests relish in breathtaking views from the bungalows or the common areas (deck, restaurant, bar, video room and a library). Learn more about this adventure.

👉 Read more: When is the best time to visit the Amazon Rainforest in Brazil

5) Luxury stay at Anavilhanas Jungle Lodge

Another Amazon Rainforest tour in Anavilhanas National Park, Anavilhanas Jungle Lodge is located on the banks of the Negro River, granting extraordinary experiences in one of the most beautiful natural scenarios in the world.

Custom itineraries offer great activities for everyone: guided hikes, canoing, night tours for wildlife watching, fishing, archery lessons, visiting riverside villages, boat rides, etc.

Inspired by caboclo design, the twenty-four accommodations are equipped with air-conditioning, mini-fridges, TVs, Wi-Fi, and private bathrooms. Enjoy the lodge’s premium services at the restaurant, floating bar, swimming pools, cozy lounge, massage room and gym. Before your trip ends, make sure to get a souvenir at the gift shop!  Learn more about this adventure.

6) Amazon tour in Mato Grosso

This lodge stands out when it comes to ecotourism in the Amazon Rainforest due to its location. Unlike the other tours on this list, Cristalino is not located in the state of Amazonas, but in the northern region of Mato Grosso, by the south of the jungle, in a private natural reserve.

The geography in itself is a tresure — bordering the Pantanal, it’s one of the best places in the Amazon for wildlife watching. Two biomes in one single experience!

50-meter observation towers are perfect for birdwatching and admiring the view, but activities also include wildlife spotting, canoeing, hiking and boat rides in the Cristalino and Teles Pires rivers, etc.

Bungalows and chalets equipped with comfy beds, sleeper sofas, private bathrooms, ceiling fans and Wi-Fi are the perfect accommodations to relax, but guests also love the entertainment areas — floating deck, restaurant, bar, reading room, and conference room. Learn more about this adventure.

👉 Read more: Best Amazon Lodges in Brazil

7) Luxury Amazon Cruise

Looking for something more exclusive? Ecotourism in the Amazon reaches a whole new level with this luxury river cruise in Anavilhanas, the second-largest river archipelago in the world with over 400 islands!

After departing from Manaus, you’ll witness the Meeting of Waters and the beauty of Lake Janauari. Throughout five days, you’ll visit local communities, hike in the jungle, fish for piranhas, go on boat rides and night tours, relax on river beaches and join a beautiful luau.

The architecture of the sophisticated vessel is jaw-dropping, featuring a modern design in ten ensuite cabins with air-conditioning and floor-to-ceiling windows. You can also unwind at the bar or in the living room, grab a bite at the dining hall and admire the view from the sun deck. Learn more about this adventure.

Best Amazon Rainforest tours in Brazil

With so many incredible options, it might be difficult to choose your Amazon tour in Brazil. See the table below to compare activities and prices: 

TOUR	HIGHLIGHTS	DURATION	STARTING PRICE*
Brazilian Amazon Jungle Tour from Manaus	Affordable stay, birdwatching, fishing, canoe trips, forest hikes, Meeting of Waters, visiting local markets.	3 days 4 days 5 days	US$ 590
Mirante do Gavião, Anavilhanas National Park	High-end stay facing Anavilhanas National Park, kayaking, hiking, boat rides and cave exploration.	4 days 5 days	US$ 1896
Anavilhanas Jungle Lodge	Luxury stay at Anavilhanas, hiking, canoeing, wildlife watching, fishing, archery lessons, visiting local communities.	6 days	US$ 3180
Floating ecolodge in Mamirauá Reserve	Accommodation in a floating ecolodge, photo safaris, night tours, fishing, boat rides, visiting riverside villages.	5 days	US$ 1135
Cristalino Jungle Lodge	Private reserve in southern Amazon (Mato Grosso), sophisticated stay, birdwatching, canoeing, hiking, boat rides.	5 days	US$ 3333
Amazon Cruise	Onboard accommodation, expeditions to Anavilhanas and Jaú, cave exploration, hiking, river beaches, wildlife watching, visiting indigenous groups.	4 days 5 days 7 days	US$ 2485
Luxury Amazon Cruise	Luxury onboard accommodation, Meeting of Waters, Lake Janauari, jungle hiking, fishing, boat rides, night tours, river beaches, luau.	5 days	US$ 3740

*Per person, based on double occupancy in group departures. Prices may vary depending on season and availability. Exchange rate as of February 4th, 2026; subject to change.

Ecotourism in the Amazon as a solution to deforestation

Although deforestation in the Amazon has dropped 11% from August 2024 to July 2025 due to heavy environmental inspection, the largest tropical rainforest in the world is still at risk. Wildfires and illegal logging and mining harms the ecosystem, increasing the temperature in 3 ºC and driving a strong rainfall decline across the southern Amazon basin.

In addition to government efforts, ecotourism is also an efficient solution for the preservation and recovery of the forest, thanks to sustainable practices, encouraging environmental awareness and empowering local communities to make a living without harming natural resources.

Amazon ecolodges follow sustainable guidelines, like using solar energy, recycling, harvesting rainwater and partnering with environmental projects. Through custom itineraries, jungle hotels educate guests on the importance of preserving the forest and encourage them to become allies of nature even when they go back home.

Lucas Ribeiro, founder of PlanetaEXO, describes ecotourism in the Amazon Rainforest. “By connecting travelers with authentic experiences that benefit local communities, we’re promoting a model of tourism that supports both people and the planet”.

Watch “Tourism That Keeps the Amazon Alive”, a mini-doc produced by PlanetaEXO that showcases the importance of ecotourism:

👉 Read more: Ecotourism in the Amazon Rainforest: A Solution to Deforestation

Ecotourism in the Amazon Rainforest with PlanetaEXO

PlanetaEXO is an ecotourism platform that specializes in Amazon Rainforest tours in Brazil. By working very closely with local operators, we handpick every experience and follow strict protocols to make sure we’re positively impacting our customers, partners and, of course, the environment.

Our team is ready to help with everything you need for a perfect vacation. Contact us now!

The activities of river cruises in the Amazon Rainforest differ depending on the season, making each trip totally remarkable

As ecotourism tours in the Amazon become even more comfortable and focused on exploring nature responsibly, river cruises are great for travelers looking for comfort, rich itineraries, eco-friendly practices, and one-of-a-kind experiences.

Considering the influence of the seasons on nature destinations, it’s common to wonder when is the best time of the year for Amazon river cruises in Brazil. Knowing this, in fact, is crucial for efficient vacation planning.

That’s why PlanetaEXO, an ecotourism platform specialized in Amazon Rainforest tours in Brazil, has created a guide to help you understand the proper time for your river cruise. See more below!

Best time of the year to go on Amazon cruises in Brazil

Amazon jungle cruises can be enjoyed all year long! Even during periods when rainfall is significantly lower, the forest is humid enough that the rivers are always full for boats to pass through. The experience only becomes unfeasible during periods of extreme drought, but situations like that are atypical.

During different seasons (wet and dry), cruises operate normally, but activities change to accommodate weather variations and flooding in some areas of the forest.

In other words, you’ll discover the wonders of the Amazon regardless of the season, though your itinerary will vary according to the time of year.

👉 Read more:

• Best Amazon River Cruises in Brazil
• Best Amazon Jungle Lodges in Brazil

Amazon river cruises in Brazil: rainy season (December to May)

The rain is frequent and heavy in the wet season. As the rivers get higher, the Amazon Basin starts to flood and some parts of the forest become submerged — that’s what locals call igapós.

For that reason, passengers leave the vessels and enjoy specific activities, such as:

• Canoeing and swimming through treetops in igapós
• Boat trips and other water-related activities in Anavilhanas National Park, Alter do Chão and the Mamirauá Reserve
• Wildlife watching — mostly Amazon pink dolphins, birds and mammals that usually climb trees to avoid the water

👉 Read more: When is the Best Time to visit the Amazon Rainforest in Brazil

Amazon river cruise in Brazil: dry season (June to November)

Less rain means lower water levels. As the rivers start to shrink, hiking trails are unblocked by the drainage of flooded areas.

Therefore, it’s easier to spot some aquatic or semiquatic animals, who concentrate on smaller zones in the water.

If you go on an Amazon boat cruise during the dry season, your itinerary will probably include:

• Hiking in the forest, as well as visiting waterfalls and exploring caves
• River beaches in Alter do Chão, Anavilhanas, Jaú National Park and near Manaus
• Night spotlighting — mostly caimans, but other nocturnal animals might also be spotted

👉 Read more: How to get to the Amazon Rainforest in Brazil?

What should I pack for an Amazon Rainforest river cruise?

As you can see, the best time of the year for Amazon river cruises in Brazil depends on what experience you’re looking for.

Whether you plan your trip during the wet or the dry season, here are some essential items you should definitely pack:

• Light clothes: t-shirts, long-sleeved shirts (preferably with UV protection), pants, shorts, hats or caps, swimwear
• Shoes: flip-flops, sandals, hiking boots
• Travel essentials: documents, money (cash and credit/debit cards), medication, sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher), insect repellent, sunglasses, chargers (phones, cameras, laptops, tablets), powerbank
• Equipment: flashlight, raincoat, microfiber towel, personal reusable water bottle

Join PlanetaEXO on the best Amazon river tours

As an expert in Amazon Rainforest tours in Brazil, PlanetaEXO works with the most esteemed local operators to provide wonderful travel experiences in the largest rainforest on Earth, always following community-based and sustainable tourism practices.

Experience comfort and immersion in nature with our multiple-day luxury Amazon cruises and turn your dream vacation into reality. Contact us now!

From flexible necks to ancient legends, discover what makes the largest freshwater dolphin in the world one of the Amazon’s most surprising creatures

The Amazon pink river dolphin (Inia geoffrensis) is one of the most distinctive mammals of South America. Found across six countries in the Amazon and Orinoco basins, the species has been studied for over two decades by researchers at the Mamirauá Reserve in Brazil, who individually identified more than 650 animals over a 25-year period.

Its biology is remarkable: an unfused neck that turns 180 degrees, a diet covering more than 53 fish species, a long curved beak with molar-like teeth, and a body that shifts from grey at birth to bright pink in adulthood. The species has been classified as endangered on the IUCN Red List since 2018, with populations declining roughly 50% over 75 years.

Want to know what makes this animal so unique? PlanetaEXO, an ecotourism platform specializing in Amazon Rainforest tours in Brazil, has put together a list of 10 fascinating facts about the Amazon pink river dolphin. Check it out below!

1) Found in All Countries of the Amazon Basin

The Amazon pink dolphin inhabits the rivers of six South American countries: Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela—a freshwater range covering approximately 7 million km², according to the Animal Diversity Web (University of Michigan).

The species lives in the Orinoco and Amazon river basins, including major tributaries like the Solimões, Negro, Madeira, Tocantins, Araguaia, and Putumayo. The species is also entirely freshwater, as they never enter salt water and are found thousands of kilometers from the sea.

But where do pink river dolphins live? They occupy main river channels in the dry season and move into the flooded forest (várzea) during the wet season, when water levels rise up to 10–12 meters and submerge vast areas of the rainforest.

👉 Read more: How to Get to the Amazon Rainforest in Brazil?

2) Echolocation System is Built for Muddy Water

Amazon waters are murky year-round, so the dolphin relies on biosonar rather than vision, emitting a high frequency that clicks through an organ on its forehead called the melon, which acts as an acoustic lens to focus sound.

According to One Earth, the species can produce 30 to 80 clicks per second when locating prey, and the echoes return through the dolphin’s lower jawbone to the inner ear.

A 2017 study published in ScienceDirect found that echolocation click parameters (peak frequency, bandwidth, and inter-click interval) differ significantly across dolphin populations in the Orinoco, Madeira, Xingu, and Araguaia basins, suggesting different evolutionary lineages.

River dolphins use shorter-range, lower-amplitude clicks than their marine cousins, an adaptation to shallow waters with high acoustic clutter from submerged vegetation.

3) The Largest Freshwater Dolphins in the World

Amazon pink river dolphin males can reach 2.55 meters in length and 207 kg (averaging 2.32 m and 154 kg), while females are smaller, up to 2.18 m and 154 kg. This makes the boto the largest of all river dolphins worldwide, beating the Ganges, Indus, Yangtze, and La Plata species.

It is also one of the most sexually dimorphic cetaceans, with males being 16% longer and 55% heavier than females. Interestingly, it is also one of the rare river dolphin species where males are larger than females—in other species, females are usually the bigger sex. Researchers Martin and da Silva, in their 2006 study published in Marine Mammal Science, linked this dimorphism to male-male competition and territorial fighting.

4) Color Changes with Age, Temperature, and Even Mood

Why are Amazon river dolphins pink? It’s a combination of several factors. They are actually born grey and gradually turn pink as their skin becomes thinner and translucent, allowing the blood capillaries near the surface to show through.

The color is also linked to thermoregulation, scarring from social fights, water chemistry (especially iron content), and water temperature. Adult males tend to be significantly pinker than females as a result of aggressive male-to-male combat, which causes scarring that adds to the pink hue over time.

Like a human face flushing red, their skin can also temporarily turn bright pink when the animal is excited, exerting itself, or in social interaction. Some adults are nearly white, others almost entirely pink, and no two individuals look the same.

👉 Read more: When is the Best Time to Visit the Amazon Rainforest in Brazil

5) The Boto Goes by Many Names Across the Amazon

In Portuguese-speaking Brazil, the Amazon river dolphin is called boto-cor-de-rosa, boto-vermelho, boto-rosa, boto-malhado, or simply boto.

Among indigenous communities, the Tupi name uauiará (or uiara) refers to the dolphin as a kind of “water being” or protector of women—a sacred figure long before European colonization arrived.

The Tikuna people of the Colombia-Brazil-Peru border region call the pink dolphin omacha, which is also the name of the Colombian foundation founded by biologist Fernando Trujillo (National Geographic Explorer of the Year).

In Spanish-speaking countries, the dolphin is most commonly known as bufeo, bufeo colorado, tonina, or delfín rosado. In Peru, Colombia, and Ecuador, bufeo colorado is the standard local term; in the Orinoco region of Venezuela, tonina prevails.

Each name reflects a different cultural lens. Portuguese settlers chose boto (likely from the late Latin buttis, “rounded vessel,” referring to the dolphin’s bulbous head), while indigenous names emphasize the boto’s spiritual and mythological role rather than its physical appearance.

6) The Legend of the Boto is One of the Most Famous Brazilian Myths

One of the most fascinating facts about Amazon pink river dolphins is actually a popular myth. In Brazilian folklore, the boto cor-de-rosa is one of the most enduring legends of the Amazon, a story of indigenous origin that has been passed down for centuries.

According to the tradition, on the nights of the Festas Juninas (Brazil’s traditional June festivities), the dolphin emerges from the river transformed into a tall, charming young man dressed in white and wearing a hat, which hides the blowhole that does not disappear during the transformation. He then seduces a young woman from the village, dances with her, and disappears back into the river by dawn—sometimes leaving her pregnant.

The legend has historically been used in the Amazon to explain pregnancies of unknown paternity, and it has also been featured in Brazilian media, including the 1987 film “Ele, o Boto,” the soap opera “A Força do Querer” (2017), and the Netflix series “Cidade Invisível” (2021).

👉 Read more: Best Amazon Jungle Lodges in Brazil

7) Impressive Brain Capacity

The Amazon pink dolphin has the largest brain among all freshwater dolphin species, and several tourism and conservation sources cite that its brain capacity is up to 40% larger than a human’s (a figure popularized in conservation outreach).

The more rigorous scientific picture: dolphins as a group have one of the highest encephalization quotients (EQ) among non-human animals, second only to humans, according to Marino et al. (2004) and Montgomery et al. (2013).

In practice, that intelligence translates into clear behaviors: complex acoustic communication using both echolocation clicks and whistles, object play (they have been observed carrying sticks, branches, and turtles), problem-solving, and curiosity around boats and swimmers.

Studies suggest that male botos may also engage in a form of social display by carrying objects in their mouths during courtship—a behavior so far described in no other cetacean.

8) Underwater Gymnasts (with Anatomy to Match)

Unlike marine dolphins, the Amazon river dolphins have unfused cervical vertebrae (the seven neck bones are not welded together), which allows them to turn their heads up to 180 degrees, according to Whale and Dolphin Conservation.

This flexibility is essential for navigating the flooded forest of the Amazon, where submerged tree trunks, roots, and branches block straight-line swimming. The species also lacks a typical dorsal fin, replaced by a low dorsal ridge that helps it weave through dense vegetation.

Pink river dolphins can swim forward with one flipper while paddling backward with the other, turning with surgical precision around obstacles. They are also frequently observed swimming upside down, possibly to see the river bottom better through their small eyes.

Cruising speed is between 8 and 13 km/h, with bursts of up to 24 km/h—slower than ocean dolphins, but compensated by extreme maneuverability among trees and roots.

👉 Read more: 15 Amazon Animals – Unravel the Wildlife in Brazil

9) One of the Most Varied Carnivorous Diets of Any Toothed Whale

So, what do pink river dolphins eat? The boto has one of the widest-ranging diets among all toothed whales, feeding on up to 53 different species of fish, including croakers, catfish, tetras, piranhas, and characins. The species also consumes river turtles, freshwater crabs, aquatic frogs, and freshwater mollusks.

Its narrow jaw contains 25 to 28 pairs of teeth, divided between sharp conical teeth at the front (for catching prey) and molar-like teeth at the back—a feature unique among dolphins, allowing the boto to crush hard prey like turtle shells and armored catfish.

This dietary flexibility is critical: during the wet season, fish disperse into the flooded forest, and it hunts alone in vast submerged territories; during the dry season, prey concentrates in main channels and confluences, where up to 35 dolphins have been observed cooperatively herding fish.

10) Friendly with Humans, Yet Solitary by Nature

Despite their famously curious and playful personality around boats, swimmers, and children, pink river dolphins are largely solitary animals. They are mostly often spotted alone or in small groups of 2 to 4 individuals, usually a mother with her calf. This is very different from ocean dolphins, which can travel in pods of dozens or even thousands.

Researchers believe this solitary lifestyle is linked to two factors: the boto has no significant natural predators once adult (only caimans, jaguars, and anacondas occasionally take young animals), and the structure of the flooded forest favors individual hunting over coordinated pod attacks.

Larger aggregations of up to 35 dolphins only form temporarily at river confluences when prey concentrates seasonally. Their curiosity with humans is well documented in the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve (Ecuador) and the Mamirauá Reserve (Brazil), where botos have been filmed approaching kayakers, leaping near boats, and interacting with local children.

👉 Read more: Best Amazon River Cruises in Brazil

Visiting the Amazon and meeting pink river dolphins with PlanetaEXO

Now that you know the most fascinating Amazon pink river dolphin facts, it’s time to see this incredible animal up close. The boto can be spotted year-round in several Brazilian Amazon destinations, especially around Manaus, the Rio Negro, the Anavilhanas archipelago, and the Mamirauá Sustainable Development Reserve.

PlanetaEXO is an ecotourism platform specializing in Amazon Rainforest tours in Brazil, working alongside the best local operators in the region. From jungle lodges deep in the rainforest to wildlife-focused river cruises, our team is here to help you plan a hassle-free trip. Contact us now!

Discover the best practices for a safe and smooth passage through Manaus, the gateway to travel in the Amazon Rainforest

Minutes before landing at Eduardo Gomes International Airport in Manaus, Amazonas, travelers see from their window seat a contrasting view: two of the largest tributaries of the Amazon River forming the fascinating Meeting of the Waters—a stretch where the dark and muddy waters of the Negro and Solimões rivers run side by side without mixing—and a city of 2.3 million people built on a plateau at the edge of the world’s largest rainforest.

Most travelers don’t stay long. The capital is a layover with a purpose—one or two nights between the airplane and the riverboat or jungle lodge that brought them to Brazil in the first place. Headed to the Amazon Rainforest, many tourists ask a simple question: is Manaus safe?

The answer is yes, but there are a few elements to consider. PlanetaEXO, an ecotourism platform specializing in Amazon Rainforest tours in Brazil, explains it all right below.

Manaus is safe for tourists, but it’s important to be careful

Manaus is a major Brazilian city that requires the same awareness any large urban destination demands. Tens of thousands of foreign travelers pass through every year, and the overwhelming majority leave without incident because they made the right small decisions.

The capital of Amazonas is a working tropical city with neighborhoods that are perfectly fine and a few you have no reason to enter. If you stay where tourists stay, move how locals move, and avoid the obvious mistakes, the city is calm, sweltering, and surprisingly easy.

Where to stay (and where to walk): a neighborhood map

For travelers heading to the Amazon, only a handful of neighborhoods matter:

• Adrianópolis: Manaus’s upscale residential and shopping zone, full of hotels and the Amazonas Shopping mall. Quiet, well-policed, low-risk day or night.
• Ponta Negra: riverside neighborhood with hotels, restaurants, and a busy waterfront promenade in the evenings. Police presence is heavy. Probably the most pleasant base for a one- or two-night stay.
• Centro Histórico: the historic center, home to the famous Teatro Amazonas opera house and the Mercado Adolpho Lisboa. Worth a visit during the day. Empties out and gets edgier after dark; try not to linger past 8 PM.
• Vieiralves: a small, lively grid of restaurants and bars, popular with locals and expats. Safe in the evening.
• Dom Pedro: quieter residential area, decent for a low-key stay.

Areas to keep off your map: Compensa, São José Operário, the Eastern Zone outside the tourist corridor, and any of the city’s favelas. There is no tourist reason to go to these places, and Google Maps will not warn you. If your driver suggests “a shortcut” through any of them, decline.

👉 Read more: How to get to the Amazon Rainforest in Brazil?

The 5 most common scams targeting Amazon-bound tourists

Overall, Manaus is safe to visit, but as the city’s economy is mostly built around the Amazon, so are the scams. They’re usually aimed at people in transit who are tired, jet-lagged, and pre-committed to a jungle experience.

The arrivals-hall “tour guide”

A friendly English-speaker at the airport offers a discounted Amazon tour, sometimes with a printed flyer. The “lodge” is real or imaginary. Either way, you pay cash up front, and the experience is promised to be wildly different from what was sold. Don’t fall for it and always pre-book your tour with a registered operator before you fly.

Unlicensed taxis from the airport

Drivers approach you inside the terminal offering “official” rides at three times the meter rate. The licensed taxi rank is outside, marked, and uses fixed rates by zone. Avoid any problems by using Uber or 99 (Brazil’s local ride app).

Currency exchange “favor”

Someone in the historic center offers to exchange dollars at a great rate. Half the bills are counterfeit. Say no and only use ATMs at branded banks (Bradesco, Banco do Brasil, Itaú).

Mercado Adolpho Lisboa pickpocket

Pickpocketing is universal. From Paris and Milan to Manaus, this is a problem for tourists. The Mercado Adolpho Lisboa, a beautiful 19th-century covered market, is one of the favorite spots for pickpockets in the capital of Amazonas.

Pay attention while walking, leave your most valuable belongings in the hotel safe, and keep your wallet, cell phone, and documents in crossbody bags or fanny packs.

Phantom riverboat tickets

Informal touts at the Manaus port sell tickets to slow boats heading up-river. Some are legitimate; some take your money and disappear. Buy from the official ticket office or through your tour operator.

Getting around: Uber, 99, taxis, and the airport-to-hotel reality

The airport (Eduardo Gomes International, MAO) sits about 14 km north of the historic center. Three reliable ways to move from there:

• Uber or 99: both work in Manaus and at the airport. Estimated cost from MAO to Ponta Negra: US$10–16. The app shows the driver’s plate, photo, and route. Verify before getting in.
• Licensed airport taxis: fixed-rate, paid at a kiosk inside the terminal before you exit. Slightly more expensive than Uber but transparent.
• Pre-arranged transfer: most reputable Amazon tour operators include or offer airport pickup. The driver waits in arrivals with your name on a sign. Confirm name, phone, and vehicle plate by message before flying.

Inside the city, Uber and 99 are dramatically safer and cheaper than flagging cabs on the street. Use them at night without hesitation.

Walking is fine in Adrianópolis and Ponta Negra during the day. After 9 PM, use a ride-share for any distance more than a couple of blocks. 

Health: yellow fever, mosquitoes, and other important information

If you’re wondering if Manaus is safe to visit, you should also think about your well-being. Considering its location in the equatorial Amazon basin, some health aspects are inevitable.

Vaccines

Unlike other South American countries, Brazil doesn’t require foreign travelers to be vaccinated for yellow fever, but it is highly advised—especially if you’re traveling to the Amazon or have plans to visit the rainforest in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, or Peru. Get it at least 10 days before travel. It’s a single dose for lifetime protection!

Just for safety, arriving in Manaus with a complete vaccination schedule for diphtheria, tetanus, polio, rubella, measles, and hepatitis A/B is recommended.

Mosquitoes

The Aedes aegypti mosquito carries dengue, Zika, and chikungunya in Manaus year-round. The malaria-carrying Anopheles is more relevant once you’re in the deep forest.

Use a repellent with 30% DEET or 20% picaridin, wear long sleeves at dawn and dusk, keep your windows closed at night, and sleep under mosquito nets.

Be careful with the heat

The heat itself is a safety issue. Manaus runs 30–34°C (86–93°F) with 80%+ humidity. Heatstroke and dehydration can cause more trouble than the possibility of crime. 

Stay hydrated, use sunscreen (SPF 30+), cover your head with caps and hats, wear light clothing, and don’t spend too much time in the sun.

👉 Read more: When is the best time to visit the Amazon Rainforest in Brazil

Picking a legitimate Amazon tour operator

Safety in Manaus increases when you travel with competent, reliable professionals. While planning your trip to the Amazon, choosing a good tour operator is the key to a successful vacation.

Red flags to walk away from

• The “operator” is an individual, not a registered company. Ask for a CNPJ (Brazilian company tax ID).
• They want full payment in cash, in advance, with no formal receipt.
• They can’t show you a current operating license from Cadastur (Brazil’s Ministry of Tourism registration).
• The contact is a personal WhatsApp number, and there’s no real website.
• The price is dramatically below market—Amazon tours in Brazil are not exactly cheap. Three-day all-inclusive lodge experiences from Manaus typically run US$400–1,200 per person depending on the standard.
• They get aggressive or start to sound confused when you ask follow-up questions.

Green flags

• Reviews on TrustPilot, TripAdvisor and Google going back several years.
• Listed in Cadastur. Easy to verify.
• Insurance details disclosed up-front.
• Clear written itinerary with named accommodations.
• Booking handled by a real travel platform with refund policies.

This is the layer where PlanetaEXO operates. We’re a registered ecotourism operator running curated multi-day experiences in the Brazilian Amazon. If you’re heading to the rainforest and don’t yet have your tour locked in, we’ll save you the airport-arrivals-hall scramble.

The bottom line: as long as you know what to do, Manaus is safe and totally enjoyable

Every place has problems, but they don’t necessarily overcome the good parts. Manaus is the main gateway to the rainforest, serving as a temporary base for people staying at a jungle lodge or joining an Amazon river cruise.

The city is safer and calmer than its reputation suggests (which can be said for Brazil as a whole), warmer than you might anticipate, and entirely manageable with two days of planning before you fly.

If you stay in certain neighborhoods, use the right transport, watch out for pickpockets, and book your tours beforehand with reliable professionals, Manaus will treat you just right. In fact, the capital of Amazonas has much to offer: rich history, delicious food, gorgeous landscapes, and incredibly friendly people.

Still have questions? Check the answers below!

Is Manaus safe to visit at night?

Inside the well-policed tourist neighborhoods (Ponta Negra, Adrianópolis, and Vieiralves), Manaus is reasonably safe in the evening. The historic center empties after 8 PM and is best avoided after dark. Use Uber or 99 for any nighttime movement.

Is Uber safe in Manaus at night?

Yes. Uber and 99 are the recommended way to move around Manaus after dark, including from the airport. Both apps verify drivers and track rides.

Is Manaus dangerous for solo female travelers?

Manaus is no more dangerous for solo women than other large Brazilian cities. The same precautions apply: stay in tourist neighborhoods, use ride-sharing at night, dress in lightweight casual clothing, and avoid drawing attention with expensive jewelry or visible cameras.

What should I avoid in Manaus?

Avoid Compensa, São José Operário, and any favela, as well as accepting tour offers from people in the airport arrivals hall, exchanging currency on the street, and carrying your passport when you don’t need it (use the hotel safe).

Is the Manaus airport safe?

Yes, Eduardo Gomes Airport is well-secured. The risk window is the meet-and-greet area outside, where unlicensed taxi drivers and informal “guides” approach arrivals. Walk past them and use the official taxi rank or your booked transfer.

How safe is the Amazon rainforest itself?

The rainforest is statistically safer than the city. Once you’re with a registered operator at a licensed lodge, you’re in a controlled environment. The risks shift — they’re now about staying hydrated, listening to your guide, and respecting wildlife at a distance.

Traveling to the Amazon from Manaus with PlanetaEXO

PlanetaEXO, an ecotourism platform specializing in Amazon Rainforest tours in Brazil, works every day to make your trip easier, fulfilling, and sustainable.

From Manaus to a jungle lodge or a river cruise, we take care of all the details for your vacation, including transfer options and tailor-made itineraries. Contact us now!

Understand the importance of the world’s largest river regarding ecological balance, cultural preservation, and ecotourism

Brazil’s Amazon River is a continent-spanning hydrological system that determines weather patterns as far away as Texas and the Sahara. Its sheer size and great importance to the ecosystem make it a key element to the Earth’s balance.

As a central point of the Amazon Rainforest, the river directly affects the economy and the local culture. Millions of people depend on its waters to make a living and to preserve a rich heritage of traditions belonging to groups who have lived in the region for hundreds of years.

PlanetaEXO, an ecotourism platform specializing in Amazon Rainforest tours in Brazil, has been running trips on the Amazon River Basin for years. To help you understand more about it, we’ve created a guide covering aspects of its geography, seasons, wildlife, and much more. Check it out below!

The Amazon River by the numbers

For a long time, the Nile River in northeastern Africa was considered the longest river in the world. However, in July 2008, a study published by Brazil’s National Institute for Space Research (INPE) found that the Amazon River is the longest waterway on the planet.

With the help of satellite imagery and remote geoprocessing technology from the Brazilian Space Program, INPE concluded that the Amazon is 6,992.06 km long, while the Nile extends itself for 6,852.15 km—a difference of 140 km.

Here are other impressive numbers:

• Discharge: around 209,000 cubic meters per second—roughly one-fifth of all the fresh water flowing into the world’s oceans. The next-biggest river (the Congo) discharges about a quarter as much.
• Width: varies from 1.6 km in the dry season to over 40 km in some flooded sections during peak rains. Average width through the Brazilian stretch sits around 8–12 km.
• Depth: averages around 50 meters and reaches 100 meters in places—deep enough for ocean-going ships to navigate to Manaus, 1,500 km inland.
• Tributaries: more than 1,100, of which seventeen are themselves over 1,500 km long. The Rio Negro, which meets the main channel at Manaus, is the world’s largest blackwater river.
• Basin: The Amazon River Basin covers 7 million km² across nine countries—approximately 40% of South America. Brazil holds about 60% of it.

👉 Read more: 15 Facts About the Amazon Rainforest in Brazil

Where the Amazon River begins and where it ends

While the Amazon River is located in Brazil, various expeditions conducted by INPE, the Peruvian Military Geographic Institute, the Brazilian National Water and Sanitation Agency (ANA), and the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) have found that its source starts at roughly 5,200 meters above sea level in the Peruvian Andes—at a small glacial stream called the Apacheta, on the slopes of Nevado Mismi.

The water travels east, gathers tributaries, becomes the Marañón, then the Solimões as it crosses into Brazil, and finally, at Manaus, meets the dark Rio Negro and is renamed simply the Amazon for its final 1,500 km.

It empties into the Atlantic Ocean at the equator on Brazil’s northern coast, between the states of Pará and Amapá. The mouth is so wide (330 km) that an entire island the size of Switzerland (Marajó Island) sits inside it.

The ocean current pushes the river’s freshwater plume outward for over 200 km into the Atlantic; sailors used to know they were close to South America when they hauled up buckets of fresh water from the open sea.

To help you visualize such magnitude, see the map of the Amazon River below:

The Amazon River’s two seasons: high water and low water

The Amazon Rainforest has no real winter and summer but a wet season (roughly December to May) and a dry season (June to November). Naturally, the river swells and shrinks dramatically between them.

High water (December–May): the river rises 10–15 meters above its dry-season level. Vast areas of rainforest flood, creating the unique igapó (flooded forest) ecosystem where you can canoe between the trunks of standing trees. Wildlife concentrates in the canopy.

Low water (June–November): rivers drop, beaches appear, animals concentrate around shrinking water sources, and visibility on land hikes is much better.

👉 Read more: When is the Best Time to Visit the Amazon Rainforest in Brazil

Wildlife of the Amazon River in Brazil

The Amazon holds an estimated 30% of the planet’s known species—and possibly the same again, still undocumented. The river itself is home to some of the most distinctive of them.

What surprises most travelers isn’t just the wildlife inventory but also how the Amazon River makes it visible in ways no rainforest interior can. In a few minutes, the river reveals more than a multiple-hour jungle hike. This is the central reason most tours are water-based: the river is the corridor through which life moves.

Pink river dolphins

Larger and more curious than their ocean cousins, Amazon river dolphins (botos-cor-de-rosa) are born gray and turn pink with age. With a friendly, curious personality, they surface near boats out of pure interest and often interact with humans.

Black caimans

Solitary and mysterious, the black caiman is the Amazon’s apex aquatic predator, growing up to 5 meters. A major attraction for nighttime spotlighting tours, they’re easily spotted at night by their orange eyeshine.

Anacondas

The green anaconda is the world’s heaviest snake, found in the slow-moving channels and oxbow lakes of the basin. Mostly seen in dry season when water levels expose them.

Piranhas

Less terrifying than the movies suggest, most species of piranhas are scavengers—the genuinely aggressive red-bellied piranha is real but accounts for a fraction of the genus. As one of the most traditional ingredients in Amazonian cuisine, they are incorporated into daily meals, mainly in stews.

Pirarucu

One of the world’s largest freshwater fish, growing to 3 meters and 200 kg. Being air-breathing, it has to surface every few minutes. A staple food in the region and now carefully managed.

👉 Read more: 15 Amazon Animals – Unravel the Wildlife in Brazil

The people of the Amazon River

More than 30 million people live in the Amazon River Basin across Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela; the largest concentration is along the river itself and its main tributaries.

Roughly 3 million belong to indigenous groups, including the Yanomami, Kayapo, Tikuna, and Munduruku—speaking more than 240 distinct languages.

Many communities are small ribeirinho (riverside) settlements of caboclo people, descended from indigenous and Portuguese ancestry, living from fishing, farming small floodplain plots, and harvesting forest products like açaí and Brazil nuts.

To ensure that indigenous and riverside communities are properly valued, tourism operators truly committed to sustainable practices lead tours that respect traditions, establish boundaries, and share profits fairly. This way, Amazonian culture can be shared and enriched responsibly and in a balanced manner, avoiding conduct that puts the community and the environment at risk.

How to experience the Amazon River in Brazil

There are four practical ways most travelers experience the river. The right one depends on your comfort level, time, and budget.

Amazon River Cruises

Multi-day cruises move you through the river system aboard a small ship with cabins, meals, and a daily program of guided excursions. This is the most efficient way to see distance—you cover stretches of river that no lodge can reach. Comfort ranges from rustic to luxury Amazon river cruises in Brazil.

👉 Read more:

• Best Amazon River Cruises in Brazil
• What’s the Best Time of the Year for Amazon River Cruises in Brazil?

Jungle Lodges

Jungle lodges sit on tributaries off the main river and use small boats for daily excursions, providing great accommodations, a variety of leisure spaces, and premium services—just like any high-rated hotel.

You unpack once and explore one stretch of rainforest deeply. Best for travelers who want to settle in! 

👉 Read more: Best Amazon Jungle Lodges in Brazil

Kayak and Small-Boat Expeditions

Active travelers who want intimacy with the river can paddle smaller tributaries with a guide. Less wildlife distance, more physical engagement. 

👉 Explore the adventure: 4-day Amazon Kayak Tour Brazil

Day Trips and Short Stays from Manaus

If you only have one or two days, day trips from Manaus, capital of the state of Amazonas, reach the Meeting of the Waters—where the black Rio Negro meets the muddy Solimões—and small communities downstream. Worth doing even if you’re staying in a lodge!

👉 Explore the adventure: 3-day Amazon Jungle Tour from Manaus

Everything You Need to Know about the Amazon River, Brazil

Given its vital role for Brazil, South America, and global ecological stability, the Amazon River is a complex system that naturally generates many inquiries. PlanetaEXO addresses several of these key questions below.

How long is the Amazon River?

6,992.06 km (4,344 miles), making it the longest river in the world in terms of length and water volume.

How deep is the Amazon River?

Average depth is around 50 meters; maximum recorded depth exceeds 100 meters in places. 

How wide is the Amazon River?

It varies from 1.6 km in the dry season to over 40 km in the flooded wet season. The mouth of the Atlantic is 330 km wide and contains an island the size of Switzerland.

In which country is the Amazon River?

It crosses Peru, Colombia, and Brazil, with about 60% of its course in Brazilian territory. The basin extends across nine countries: Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia, Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana.

Is the Amazon River safe to visit?

For travelers on guided trips with registered operators, yes. The rainforest itself is statistically safer than most cities. Standard precautions apply for the gateway city Manaus.

👉 Read more: Is Manaus Safe? An Comprehensive Guide for Travelers Heading to the Amazon

Why is the Amazon River important?

The Amazon River Basin produces an estimated 6–9% of the world’s oxygen, regulates rainfall across South America, and stores roughly 120 billion tonnes of carbon in its forests. 

Its discharge into the Atlantic influences ocean currents and global climate. Practically, it sustains the world’s most biodiverse ecosystem and directly supports tens of millions of people.

Can you swim in the Amazon River?

In some places, yes. The dark waters of the Rio Negro are largely free of piranhas and caimans in their main channel and are commonly swum during cruises and lodge stays.

The muddy Solimões/Amazon main channel is a different story; locals don’t swim there, and neither should you. Always follow your guide’s lead.

Visit the Amazon River in Brazil with PlanetaEXO

If you’ve made it this far, you’re not just researching for school—you’re probably trying to plan a trip. Luckily, PlanetaEXO, an ecotourism platform specializing in Amazon Rainforest tours in Brazil, can help you with that!

In partnership with the best local operators out there, we design tailored itineraries that cater to all your preferences and needs, taking care of bookings, transfer options, and everything you need for an unforgettable trip. This way, all you have to do is enjoy the Amazon’s beauty. Contact us now!

Experience the best of Amazonian Carnival on river cruises, eco-lodges, and forest camps.

Want to enjoy your days off in peace, but don’t know what to do during Carnival to escape the revelry? The tip is to immerse yourself in the indescribable nature of the Amazon on tours filled with the serenity and beauty of the forest.

In 2026, Carnival will be celebrated on February 16 and 17, followed by Ash Wednesday (18). The weekend before the holiday (February 14 and 15) allows for an extended trip.

Don’t miss the chance to explore one of the most fascinating places in Brazil! Here are 6 incredible destinations to enjoy Carnival in the Amazon in peace and surrounded by nature.

Cruise on the Amazon

One of the best cruises in the Amazon, Katerre Expeditions offers unparalleled experiences in some of the region’s main postcard locations, such as the Anavilhanas National Park and the Jaú National Park.

Depending on the vessel, it is possible to accommodate up to 29 guests in elegant cabins with private bathrooms, comfortable beds, and air conditioning. Common areas include a restaurant or dining room, open deck with solarium, lounge areas, and even a massage room.

Explore the beauty of nature and enjoy Carnival in the Amazon by participating in the activity itinerary, which includes guided trails, visits to local communities, animal watching, canoeing, trips to river beaches, and much more.

• Price: Starting at US$ 2,790 (per person)
• Included: accommodation, meals, transfers, guides, and tours.
• Dates for Carnival 2026 accommodation: February 13 to 17 (DBL cabins) | February 17 to 21 (QPL cabin)

👉 Learn more and book: 5-day Amazon cruise

Wild adventure in the Amazon Rainforest

Are you adventurous and still haven’t decided what to do for Carnival? Experience the Amazon at its most authentic with this wild adventure in the forest!

On trips lasting 4 or 6 days, you will explore the depths of the world’s largest rainforest while camping among the trees. Led by experienced guides, the group spends the night in hammocks covered by tarps and mosquito nets. Meals are prepared over the campfire—the menu includes fresh vegetables, chicken, and freshly caught fish.

Immersion in the jungle is already a great adventure in itself, but the itinerary of activities also includes lessons in survival techniques and plant identification, wildlife observation, fishing, hiking, and river navigation.

• Price: per person, starting at US$ 950 (4 days) or US$ 1,315 (6 days)
• Included: accommodation, meals + drinking water, transfers, guides, activities, and camping equipment.
• Dates for Carnival 2026 accommodation: starting February 9 (5 days and 4 nights) | starting February 17 (4 days and 3 nights) | February 13 to 17 (5 days and 4 nights) | February 13 to 18 (6 days and 4 nights)

👉 Learn more and book: 4-day Amazon survival tour / 6-day immersion in the Amazon Rainforest

Luxury jungle hotel in Novo Airão

Staying at the Gavião Lookout in the municipality of Novo Airão is all you need to make your trip to the Amazon memorable.

Facing Anavilhanas National Park, this luxurious ecolodge has three categories of accommodation (Premium, Luxury, and Tree House) of the highest standard, all with air conditioning, comfortable beds, spacious bathrooms, and minibars.

Throughout the day, enjoy the beauty of the forest by hiking and kayaking in Anavilhanas, watching the sunset on boat trips on the Rio Negro, participating in nighttime wildlife spotting, exploring the Madadá Caves, and learning about the daily life of those who live in the heart of the forest.

At the hotel, relax by the pool, in the massage room, on the deck overlooking the river, in the games room, or in the library. The Mirante do Gavião team also provides equipment for stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking.

• Price: starting at US$ 1,635 (per person)
• Included: accommodation, meals, transfers, guides, and activities.
• Dates for Carnival 2026 accommodation: February 12 to 16 (Tree House and Premium) | February 19 to 24 (Luxury) | from February 25 (Premium)

👉 Learn more and book: 4-day package at Hotel Mirante do Gavião

Immersion and comfort in the forest

Carnival in Manaus takes on a new meaning with the Amazon Turtle Lodge on Lake Paraná do Mamori in Careiro. Based on authenticity and a passion for nature, this is a more accessible experience—but no less incredible.

Leaving the Amazonian capital, the route navigates the incredible Meeting of the Waters of the Negro and Solimões rivers. In addition to this phenomenon, it is possible to contemplate other wonders of the forest on the way to the accommodation, such as vitórias-régia, pink dolphins, alligators, birds, monkeys, and sloths. 

Other activities take place throughout the trip, such as canoeing, visits to riverside communities, survival training, piranha fishing, animal watching, etc.

After exploring the jungle, relax in wooden bungalows or brick cottages. The lodge has 21 units, all with air conditioning, private bathrooms, cozy beds, and charming decor.

• Price: starting at US$ 660 (per person)
• Included: accommodation, meals, transfers, guides, and tours.
• Dates for Carnival 2026 accommodation: February 12 to 17 (all categories) | February 18 to 24 (Comfort Brick Chalet) | February 25 to 28 (all categories)

👉 Learn more and book:  4-day Amazon Rainforest Tour  / 5-day Amazon Rainforest Expedition

Floating ecolodge in Mamirauá

Always on the list of the best jungle hotels in the Amazon, the Uakari Lodge stands out for the uniqueness of its structure: the accommodations and common areas are built on stilts in the Mamirauá Sustainable Development Reserve in Tefé, providing an even more unforgettable stay. Due to the isolation of the location, the connection with nature is unparalleled.

Guests stay in five bungalows with fantastic views of the river and forest. The floating lodge also has a bar, restaurant, deck, video room, and library.

The program sums up the essence of spending Carnival in the Amazon: hiking trails, nighttime animal watching tours, fishing, boat trips, and visits to riverside villages. Not to be missed!

Uakari is the only accommodation in Latin America on the list of floating hotels around the world that are worth visiting, compiled by The New York Times. The publication highlights infrastructure, nature experiences, and the Community-Based Tourism (CBT) model, which benefits both the environment and local residents.

• Price: starting at US$ 1,005 (per person)
• Included: accommodation, meals, transfers, guides, and activities.
• Dates for Carnival 2026 accommodation: February 13 to 18 or February 18 to 23 (6-day tour) | February 20 to 23 (4-day tour)

👉 Learn more and book:  Ecolodge in the Amazon Rainforest

What is the weather like in the Amazon in February?

February is a rainy month in the Amazon. Although rainfall occurs throughout the year in the region, it intensifies between December and May. The climate is also milder, with an average temperature of 25.8 °C.

This does not detract from the trip, but it may determine the itinerary of activities. During Carnival month, boat trips, canoeing, water trails, animal watching, and river cruises are unmissable experiences.

👉 Learn more: When is the best time to visit the Amazon in 2026?

Carnival in the Amazon with PlanetaEXO

Traveling to the Amazon has never been easier! Escape the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy your Carnival break with peace and adventure at lodges, river cruises, and camps operated by PlanetaEXO partners.

In addition to connecting our clients with the best ecotourism professionals, we accompany each step of planning your dream trip. Contact us and make your reservation!