The Amazon is a must-see destination. The largest rainforest on earth, the lungs of our planet, the huge expanse of the river and all that is found within this wilderness hold such charms for so many people. It is particularly exciting for children. Encountering different animals, exploring the river in search of pink dolphins or trekking through the jungle, they will feel like intrepid explorers.
Earlier this year, we took our children to the Brazilian Amazon. This was their first visit and hopefully an experience that they won’t forget. Our first stop was the beautiful Juma Opera hotel in Manaus. Situated right opposite the famous Manaus Opera House, it is in prime position and a perfect property to break the journey in or out of the jungle. From there, we were collected early the following morning to start our three hour journey to Juma Lodge, an authentic and charming lodge on the banks of the Rio Negro. The first leg is a short boat ride across the meeting of the waters, the famous point where the creamy waters of the Rio Solimoes run alongside the much darker waters of the Rio Negro, not mixing and forming a striking sight for a few miles. Next, it’s a bus journey, stopping at a local shop for a comfort break and a fun opportunity for the kids to explore some Brazilian snacks. The last leg is a boat ride through the Amazon, navigating the reeds, stopping to spot caiman or monkeys and sliding past houses on stilts to reach Juma Lodge.
The property is built on stilts and each bungalow overlooks either the forest or the river. We were in their spacious family bungalow with a large terrace and a stunning view out over the river and the jungle beyond. The lodge has a tame macaw who chatters to guests and a swimming pool full of the river water but surrounded by a net so that guests can enjoy the experience of swimming in the Amazon river without worrying about what might nibble at their toes.
The activity schedule at Juma is action packed. On arrival we were taken straight to a lunchtime barbecue in the forest where we met our guide, Ralph. Ralph had grown up just down the river and he was an expert on every aspect of the Amazon. All of his knowledge came from his father and his English he learned from working at the lodge. He remains one of the best guides we have ever had. Later in the afternoon we went to visit a local family, learning a little about their way of life and how they farm and process manioc, an essential part of their diet. The children loved choosing some souvenirs to buy from the handicrafts they had made.
Evenings at Juma are spent dining with your group where you are joined by your guide which is wonderfully convivial. At least one night there is a chance to go out on a night tour, sailing up the river in boat and experiencing the jungle at night. Other activities included a jungle trek, canoeing, spotting pink river dolphins, and a visit to the majestic tree of life. Each of these, the children loved, encountering sloths and monkeys, spotting caiman and absolutely delighting in the magical pink river dolphins, as well as the more common grey dolphins.
The dinner at Juma is followed by a short lecture from your guide on life in the Amazon and some of its challenges. This was a fascinating and humbling experience and such an important insight for all of us, particularly children.
From Juma we headed back to Manaus for a night at Villa Amazonia, another gorgeous property, this one linked to our next lodge, Anavilhanas Jungle Lodge. The next day we headed back into the jungle, this time the whole journey by road to the Anavilhanas Archipelago. Anavilhanas is the most luxury property in the Brazilian amazon and it is without doubt an exceptional lodge. Immediately, the children are captivated as each room is assigned a different Amazonian animal (we were fish and tapir). These wooden carvings are on your door and a small version is left in your room as a gift. When guests go to the restaurant for meals, they sit at the corresponding table which has their wooden animal on it. This is perfect for young children who love spotting their animal and laying with the wooden carvings while they wait for their meal.
The activities at Anavilhanas are similar to Juma but the schedule is slightly more relaxed. In this way, it works particularly well for families of younger children as there is more pool and relaxation time built into the schedule. They have two pools, one that is adults-only so guests can relax knowing that their children are not disturbing other people. Each activity ends with drinks and snacks at the bar on the floating pontoon when you return to the lodge – perfect for kids.
The highlight at Anavilhanas for us was the dolphin boat trip. We sailed out to a peaceful part of the river, known to be popular with pink river dolphins and free of piranhas! Here, we were invited to get into the water and enjoy a gentle swim around the boat. The splashing of people in the water attracts the pink dolphins who are very curious and it made for a special experience as some of them swam closer to our group. A memorable experience for all the family.
If you are considering a trip to Latin America with the family, the Amazon is certainly worth including be it in Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia or even Bolivia. It will be such a memorable experience and a wonderful exploration and learning opportunity for children of all ages.
