Updated February 2024.
Lungs of the Planet
Visiting the Amazon Rainforest is a dream! It is the world’s largest tropical rainforest, covering 40% of the South American continent and 9 countries have a part of the Amazon. The Amazon River flows through the rainforest and is the world’s longest river, especially noting all the tributaries and streams.
The name “Amazon” originated from Spanish explorer Francisco Orellana. While trekking through the forest, he was attacked by female warriors called “Icamiabas” or “women without husbands”. Thus, he based them off the Greek mythology of the Amazons.
- Over 20% of the world’s oxygen is produced by the Amazon
- 25% of western pharmaceuticals come from rainforest-based ingredients
- <1% of trees and medicinal plants have even been tested
- Over 3,000 different types of fruits grow in the Amazon rainforest. <7% are consumed in the Western world.
- Over 80% of the world’s food originated in the Amazon rainforest.
- Over 40,000 plant species grow in the rainforest
- ~10% of the world’s biodiversity lives in the Amazon
- Over 20-50 million permanent inhabitants live in the Amazon with 400-500 indigenous tribes that consist of 2 million people. (the total number of inhabitants varies by source)
The name “Amazon” originated from Spanish explorer Francisco Orellana. While trekking through the forest, he was attacked by female warriors called “Icamiabas” or “women without husbands”. Thus, he based them off the Greek mythology of the Amazons.
When Should I Visit?
General Timelines:
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Where Should I Stay?
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The most important thing for a trip to the Amazon is the lodge. The tour guides, the housing accommodation, the food, and the transportation are all dependent on the lodge.
This is a hard choice, since there are over 250 lodges that operate in the Amazon Rainforest that all offer different prices and "packages" TIPS:
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- Prices vary based on when one visits. Usually around September, prices will be escalated, since that's the most popular time.
- Lower priced places may also not have the same accommodations or amenities.
- Most websites don't have their prices listed, so I've attached some below (in USD) based on communication, but price quotations will be provided when one contacts the lodge.
Luxury Options
- Amazon Ecopark Jungle Lodge (~$750/night) [NE]: Located on the River Tarumã, a tributary to Rio Negro, and quite close to Manaus, it is more of a hotel feel than a lodge with bungalows having AC, an open-air panoramic restaurant, and a small beach to relax.
- Juma Amazon Lodge (~$700/night) [SE]: Eco-friendly property known for wildlife encounters and its proximity to a lake. There are nice bungalows inside that one stays in.
- Anavilhanas Lodge [NE]: Cabins are built on stilts with private verandas looking out into the forest.
Mid-Range Options:
The prices below are the total for 2-people. Note that prices will fluctuate for solo travelers.
Southeast Lodges:
Northwest Lodges:
The prices below are the total for 2-people. Note that prices will fluctuate for solo travelers.
Southeast Lodges:
- Amazon Eco-Lodge: This is not to be confused with the Amazon Ecopark Jung Lodge, they have 3, 4, or 5 night packages starting at around ($1200). It's considered the first rainforest hotel built in the Amazon and one stays in a floating lodge on the water.
- Amazon Arowana Lodge: 3D2N ($750): Right on the river, this is an ecolodge known for its fishing expeditions.
- Amazon Tupana: 3D2N ($625): Along the Tupana River in the middle of a biological reserve that is known for its wildlife.
- Amazon Turtle Lodge: 3D2N ($900): Ecolodge with a prime location deep in the forest.
- Amazon Dolphin Lodge: 3D2N ($650): Ecolodge owned by a local family that is on the Mamori River. It also offers interesting survival packages starting at 6D5N.
- Juma Lake Inn: 3D2N ($500): Between Juma Lake and Mamori River, this lodge is known for the community feel as it is beside a family farm, where one can interact with the locals.
Northwest Lodges:
- Trapiche Eco Amazon Lodge: 3D2N ($600): Located on the bank of the Rio Negro and near the Anavilhanas, the second largest freshwater archipelago in the world, it boasts a warm and friendly setting.
- Manati Lodge: 3D2N ($1,000): Riverside experience with houses built on stilts that boasts delicious food.
I stayed at the Amazon Turtle Lodge and had an incredible experience. I would highly recommend checking them out!
Budget Lodges: For a cheaper option, one can consider the following, both of which are the ones that TripAdvisor and Viator offer:
- Alligator Ipanema Lodge: 3D2N ($400): Affordable option, but it is odd that they didn't have their own website or a way to contact them.
- Anaconda Amazon Island: 3D2N ($420): Responsive and friendly staff, but recent reviews discuss the outdated facilities. HOWEVER, this is one of the lodges where one can swim with the pink dolphins. Located close to Manaus, it appears to be a tourist hotspot.
How Long Should I Stay?
The best way to see more is to book one of their “packages”. I would recommend at least a 3-day, 2-night package, as sometimes transit to a lodge can take 3-4 hours. However, one should absolutely stay longer and unwind in the Amazon.
How Do I Make a Reservation?
Each website has a link to contact them. Most times, WhatsApp is the quickest way, but there are email options as well.
Where Do I Store My Bags?
Most hotels in Manaus are willing to hold your bags in a storage facility until you return, but one should ask the hotel before making the reservation.
Depending on the lodge one chooses, sometimes they have partner deals with lodges in the area, so it's always good to ask the lodge if they have a recommended place.
Depending on the lodge one chooses, sometimes they have partner deals with lodges in the area, so it's always good to ask the lodge if they have a recommended place.
What Can One Do in the Amazon Rainforest?
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Every lodge has their own set of activities, but here’s a list of common activities:
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Meeting of the Waters
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Caiman Spotting Video
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Debunking Myths about the Amazon Rainforest
- One can swim in the water (as long as guides say it's okay).
- Hollywood has truly made us scared of these frenzied piranha fish attacks, but many areas are safe to swim in.
- Of course, there are a lot of other creatures one should be aware of, such as the vampire fish, the pirarucu, candiru (a parasitic catfish), bull sharks, green anacondas, black caimans, and electric eels. BUT that shouldn’t deter you from experiencing the strange water where there’s a warm sauna-temperature water for the first few inches, followed by the cool waters below.
- There is Wifi in the Amazon.
- Elon Musk made a deal with the government, such that many lodges all have Starlink and rather fast Wifi speeds. Generally, this feature is only available in common spaces, but anyone can take advantage of it.
- The Amazon is dense and unexplored.
- While this is true for a vast expanse of the Amazon, there are areas where locals have and continue to live, and lodges have been setup to provide a tourist experience.
- The Amazon isn’t that dangerous.
- Most of the animals keep to themselves, save for the mosquitoes, but some strong insect repellant is enough to keep you happy.
- One doesn’t need to be physically fit.
- While it’s always good to be active and healthy, most of the time, one is sitting on a boat or taking small hikes. Sadly, it’s not a big adventurous expedition, but one can still learn and see a lot.
- While it’s always good to be active and healthy, most of the time, one is sitting on a boat or taking small hikes. Sadly, it’s not a big adventurous expedition, but one can still learn and see a lot.
