[:pb]New attraction of Juma Amazon Lodge is surrounded by a deck, straw kiosks and has a beautiful view to the Brazilian rainforest

A natural swimming pool amidst the nature of the Amazon is the novelty of Juma Amazon Lodge. It is a floating deck, on the Juma river, in front of the hotel, with an area for sunbathing, reading, drinking a caipirinha or simply admiring the landscape. The pool with river water has 8 meters long by 5 meters wide and 2.5 meters deep. It is made of steel screen that allows the passage of water from the river, but not from fish or caymans. The novelty arrives at the beginning of the period of flood (between March and August), when the Amazon gains new landscapes.

This is because the summer rains and the natural defrost of the Andes Mountains, on the west coast of South America, make the rivers in the Amazon region gradually rise more than 15 meters over this period. The phenomenon causes residents and tourists to navigate the flooded waters in the middle of the jungle. During this time, crossing the jungle in wooden canoes provides many memorable experiences, such as seeing the tree tops reflected clearly on the water and watching the birds much closely.

Surrounded by the jungle, Juma Amazon Lodge is in a preserved area of 7,000 hectares (around 17,300 acres), 3 hours away from Manaus city by boat and car. Juma was especially created for an authentic Amazon experience. Its bungalows (facing the jungle or facing the Juma River) are stilt houses similar to native dwellings, built from wood and thatched with babaçu straw (a native palm tree).

Before reaching the hotel, on the way from Manaus in a comfortable motor-boat, travelers can be welcomed by the amazon botos (the pink Amazon river dolphin) swimming in the river, and are able to see the famous Meeting of the Waters, the point where two of the Amazon River’s largest tributaries – Solimões River, with muddy water, and Negro River, with dark water – run side by side without mixing for as far as six kilometers. The reason they never mix is because of the stark differences in temperature, speed and water density between the two. It’s a unique view in the world.

Everyday, guests explore the Amazon Jungle by canoeing through the forest to observe birds as uirapuru and jaçanã, besides trees of diverse species. In this time, they cross the forest by igapós (vegetation of flooded areas). On other tours you can visit the home of a ribeirinho (local dweller) or a sumaúma, an Amazon tree which is over 40 meters high and 100 years old. Among the animals that can be seen around the bungalows are bichos-preguiça (sloths) and some species of monkeys – such as barrigudo (woolly monkey), guariba (howler monkey) and parauacu (saki monkey).

Gastronomy – Breakfast at Juma Amazon Lodge is served on collective tables, so that guests can get to know each other and exchange experiences. Besides coffee, milk, bread, butter, cheese and fruit (watermelon, orange, melon and pineapple), the menu includes regional flavors such as fruit like ingá, umbu and taperebá (all used to make juices), and delicious tapiocas (a kind of manioc pancake). Lunch always brings a fresh Amazon fish (pirarucu – also known as arapaima –, tambaqui, pintado, among others), grilled or baked.

Sustentability – Besides using solar energy to warm the water and power its lights, Juma Amazon Lodge is very diligent with a correct discard for the garbage and sewer produced by the hotel. A sewage treatment plant is used and all the garbage is separated and sent to a recycling center. Charity auctions and educational projects are held for the local community, with donations of clothes, books and toys, and lectures about environmental preservation.

Photo Credits:
Nelson Garrido (Aerial Juma Hotel Photo)
Vinicius Campos (Arara bird, monkeys on the runway and canoes)
Juma Amazon Lodge (natural smimming pool)
Ita Kirsch (others)

JUMA AMAZON LODGE

Address: Juma River, Autazes (city), Amazonas-AM, Brazil

How to get there: Juma Amazon Lodge is located in a remote and preserved region 100 km (62 miles) southeast of Manaus. It can be reached in approximately three hours by vans and boats. The trip can also be done by hydroplane (30 minutes) upon request.

Extra Information: Juma is located in a black-watered region, so there are almost no mosquitoes there. The lodge is equipped with telephone. As space is limited, guests are asked not to bring more than 10 kg (22 lbs.) of luggage per person. It is recommended to be vaccinated for yellow fever ten days before traveling. And it is important to bring swimsuits, tennis shoes, long pants, hat, sun block, insect repellent, raincoat, flashlight and binoculars.

Packages and rates at the website: www.jumalodge.com

More information:

Eduardo Merli
merli@bresscomunicacao.com.br[:]