Stay: Anavilhanas Jungle Lodge
A glass box “safari” deep in the heart of the rainforest
The Amazon
22 rooms, from 1,950 USD for two nights all inclusive, double occupancy
On the banks of the Rio Negro and the edge of the national park by the same name as this lodge, Anavilhanas sits about 90 minutes north of Manaus, the central Amazonian capital. The rooms are some of the Amazon’s most posh: three sided glass boxes perched in the trees surround your bed and your screen porch with an infinite view of the forest timber. There’s a hammock for relaxing, a modern and spacious bathroom, and some rooms even have private plunge pools. The resort is centered around a lodge on stilts, where all meals are served. When we visited, meals were served in a buffet format, which was disappointing and detracted from the lux feel – but meals were almost distinctly Amazonian, with berries and fruits we’d never even dreamed of, and giant fishes caught fresh from the waters. A lovely infinity pool looks out over the river, and a boathouse and dock is ideal for dips in the water (we jumped in quickly and got out just as fast in the unlikely event of encountering piranhas).
The lodge operates a bit like a safari camp. Visitors can book 2 - 4 - or 5-night packages. Transportation from Manaus is included, and experiences are hosted multiple times daily. One morning excursion took us sailing to see the illusive pink river dolphins. We hiked one afternoon through the forest and saw vipers hiding under logs and monkeys in the trees. We set sail one evening for a radiant sunset on the river, and then looked for animals hanging in the nighttime tree canopy using spotlights. We saw green tree snakes and languid sloths. Like a safari, you’re bound to spot a great diversity of wildlife on your rain forest adventure, but given that you’re deep in the woods, great vistas are limited. Service is friendly, but certainly not overly pampered or even perfectly performed. But, if you’re wanting a somewhat cushioned experience of the world’s largest rain forest, this lodge is the way to do it.
The area is at low risk for Malaria, but visitors are advised to get a Yellow Fever vaccination before traveling.
https://en.anavilhanaslodge.com/
Photo Source: Syllogi, Hotel website
Every publication will feature one unique restaurant, hotel, activity, or other travel discovery that stood out in our research. Some of these are established institutions that deserve repeat merit, while others are hidden gems that are often off the radar of most.
