
Hotel Review • South America • Brazil • Amazonas • Novo Airão • Anavilhanas National Park
Anavilhanas Jungle Lodge Review: A Remote Amazonian Escape Done in Style
Experience luxury in the Amazon at Anavilhanas Jungle Lodge. Read our review covering rooms, river-to-table dining, guided excursions, rates, and amenities.

Courtesy of Anavilhanas Jungle Lodge, Credit Felipe Castellari
Jungle chic with a high-end edge.
BY KELSEY MULVEY
Why it works
Hotel Snapshot
Nestled along Rio Negro, the largest left tributary of the Amazon River, Anavilhanas Jungle Lodge is a remote retreat in the heart of the planet’s largest tropical rainforest. But don’t write this hotel off as “roughing it:” Well-appointed cabins, action-packed itineraries, and local cuisine bring luxury where you’d least expect it.
In a time when even the most far-flung corners are overrun with crowds, traveling off the beaten path is starting to seem a lost art. The same, I feared, would apply to the Amazon. My husband and I wanted to cap a month in South America with a bucket list-worthy trip to the rainforest, but were dismayed by the ho-hum reviews of mainstream river cruises. But after a glowing recommendation from a friend, we booked a four-night stay at Anavilhanas Jungle Lodge—a hotel that, to my surprise, is blissfully removed from Instagram fodder and droves of tour buses.
Since guests are required to stay at least two nights, Anavilhanas is more of an elevated, adult-friendly sleepaway camp than a crashpad. If spending time in an exotic rainforest feels outside of your comfort zone, fear not: A lineup of guided excursions offer peace of mind as you heed your call to the wild. Craving a less adventurous experience? The on-site spa, two pools, and a floating bar along Rio Negro provide ample spaces to kick back and relax.
Design & Character
Prior to check in, the staff sends incoming guests a reading list and a playlist of curated Brazilian tunes to ease into vacation mode before they step foot on the 520-hectare reserve. Though the open-air lounge and lobby looks like it was plucked out of Swiss Family Robinson, it was designed with eco-friendliness in mind: The hotel’s stilted structures keep the terrain intact, while the lounge’s thatched roof uses babassu palm’s stalks and buds to provide thermal protection without hindering tree growth.
The Rooms
The property’s 24 rooms run the gamut from a 387-square-foot chalet to a two-bedroom villa, complete with a mezzanine and private pool. That said, you don’t necessarily have to stay in the largest room to receive the lap of luxury: Air conditioning and WiFi—really—bring modern comforts to every room. Plus, even the compact chalet is outfitted with a screened-in porch and hammock, offering a private spot to savor the lush surroundings.
The Food & Drink
All meals are included with your stay, and the staff schedules breakfast, lunch, and dinner based on your daily itinerary. Anavilhanas only has one restaurant, but its rotating assortment of river-to-table fare is an epicurean’s dream. The menu changes daily, but don’t skip local fish dishes like pirarucu ceviche and tambaqui, which is grilled over charcoal. Psst…if you want a night cap, mosey to the lounge’s bar for a caipirinha made with jambu cachaça, a Brazilian spirit known for its tingling mouthfeel.
Amenities
Though Anavilhanas offers an idyllic, elevated escape from the everyday, its curated activities are where the property really shines. Upon arrival, guests receive a personalized itinerary, which typically has two excursions per day. Daytime activities run the gamut from guided nature walks, to archery classes, to fishing piranhas. After sunset, guests can enjoy a nighttime cruise, where they can listen to the bustling wildlife—and may even spot caiman, spectacled owls, and various snakes.
Location & Neighborhood Recs
Though Anavilhanas is about a three-hour drive from Manaus, the hotel offers complimentary shuttles to and from the airport as well as a handful of local hotels. But once you’re there? The jungle lodge is about as remote as it gets. The hotel is conveniently situated across from Anavilhanas National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, inviting you to spend some quality time with Mother Nature.
Fast Facts
Address: Rod AM, 352 - km 01 - Remanso, Novo Airão - AM, 69730-000
Neighborhood: Anavilhanas National Park, Municipality of Novo Airão
Nearest Airport: Manaus International Airport
Star Rating: 4 Star
Starting Rate: About $1,540.92 per person for three-day, two-night stay
Room Count: 24
Vibe: Jungle chic with a high-end edge.
Best For: While it’s great for anyone craving adventure and culture—families included—the laidback environment is best suited for couples, solo travelers, and small groups.
Amenities: 24-hour concierge as well as complimentary shuttle, activities, and meals.
Nearby: Manaus International Airport
Our Favorite Thing: The portion of Rio Negro by Anavilhanas is deemed swimmable, so cannonball off the property’s floating bar and into the Amazon.
Gallery
A closer look

Courtesy of Anavilhanas Jungle Lodge, Credit Felipe Castellari

Courtesy of Anavilhanas Jungle Lodge

Courtesy of Anavilhanas Jungle Lodge, Credit Felipe Castellari

Courtesy of Anavilhanas Jungle Lodge, Credit Felipe Castellari

Courtesy of Anavilhanas Jungle Lodge
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