Located at the southern end of the Amazon Basin, Cristalino Lodge is for the birds; quite literally. With more than 600 species of birds calling the surrounding Alta Floresta rainforest home, this remote lodge — which sits next to the River Cristalino amid a vast forest preserve bordering Cristalino State Park — is regarded as one of the most diverse birdwatching regions anywhere in the Amazon. Birders, grab your binoculars.
There’s no more fitting start to an Amazon adventure in Brazil than needing to arrive by boat, sailing past tree-clogged banks as wildlife peeks out of the water and greenery, and that’s exactly how each stay at Cristalino Lodge begins. This ultra-off-grid sanctuary can only be reached by boat, infiltrating deep into the rainforest far from cities and towns.
Complete immersion in nature is further assured by keeping things intimate, with only 18 guest dwellings. Housed in breezy bungalows and cottages with lofty ceilings, organic materials, and private outdoor spaces like verandas and gardens, all of the property’s buildings showcase sustainable architecture that fits into its rainforest home. Studying the site’s wind patterns allowed architects to design buildings that use natural airflow for cooling, and solar panels provide renewable power.
Meals also come from rainforest to fork, with Brazilian dishes expressed through the flavors in the Amazon.
Even for non-birdwatchers, the incredible avian bounty can be enough to turn you. But if birding truly isn’t your thing, set off on the network of forest trails that branches out from the lodge for hikes, climb up observation towers for birds-eye views of the canopy and its inhabitants like monkeys, or canoe through flooded forests. (extraOjourneys)
Bungalows
Standard Bungalow feature comfortable beds, an anteroom with two sofa beds, air conditioning complimentary Wi-Fi, a spacious bathroom, ceiling fan, armchairs, an additional outdoor shower in a private garden and a veranda with hammock. It has been carefully designed to achieve the right balance between style and comfort.
The shower in the indoor bathroom, with water naturally heated by the sun’s rays, is ideal for a well-earned bathe after a day on the trails. The outdoor shower, situated in a beautiful private garden, has water that is as cool as the rain, giving the feeling of having one’s own private waterfall, which is ideal on a sunny day.
Special amenities by Costa Brazil, with ingredients from the Amazon, make the bathing relaxing and fragrant.
This bungalow includes a turndown service, making the accommodation ready for your good night's sleep.
Suites
Enjoy all the comfort of this accommodation, which was carefully designed to integrate the forest with the luxury of the essential. It has comfortable beds, air conditioning, a spacious bathroom, a writing desk with a view, armchairs, ceiling fan, an additional outdoor shower in a private garden and a veranda with hammock.
This accommodation has a private garden with ornamental plants and an additional refreshing outdoor shower, ideal for cooling off on a sunny day. The writing desk with a view of the forest is perfect for stimulating one’s creativity in the middle of the Amazon.
Special amenities by Costa Brazil, with ingredients from the Amazon, make the bathing relaxing and fragrant. Turndown service is Included.
The Amazon forest is a vast area with very dense vegetation, so spotting wildlife within it is a significant challenge. That's where the Cristalino Lodge structure and guides make all the difference, enabling visitors to find creatures that an untrained individual would never perceive. Canoeing along the quietly flowing River Cristalino, walking along trails to see and learn about the fauna and flora, taking a boat trip to see the rivers coming together, climbing the hills for spectacular views and observing the immense forest at sunrise or sunset from the top of an observation tower. All of this is part of your unforgettable Amazon journey.
Nature Walks
Cristalino Lodge has more than 30 km (19+ miles) of trails, many of them in terra firma forest, an ecosystem dating back thousands of years that is home to ancient trees. The leaves are evergreen and the different trails enable guests to learn more about this vibrant wealth, while observing the monkeys, birds, scenery and other fascinating features of this forest.
Hiking
With no fewer than six different types of vegetation, Cristalino Lodge enables visitors to gain in-depth knowledge of the Amazon at a single location. Some of the trails take visitors to the Cristalino uplands, also known as sierras, some 450 meters above sea level, with their rich and distinctive ecosystem, where the vegetation sheds its leaves in the dry season. The views are spectacular!
Observation Tower
Among the highlights of a visit to the Cristalino Lodge is the view from the observation towers. Both 50 meters tall, the towers are strategically located at different points within the reserve and offer stunning views of the Amazon, stretching away in all directions like a green carpet. Many species of birds and monkeys can only be seen from the towers. The sunrise, with the forest waking up all around you, will be one of the most memorable experiences of your life.
Canoeing
One of the most relaxing activities on the tour is probably canoeing on the River Cristalino, with its wonderful scenic views. Gliding silently along the river makes it possible to observe the activities of the varied species of birds and monkeys and even tapirs and giant river otters. A real privilege. Between the months of January and May, it is possible to canoe in the midst of a submerged forest, with immense trees all around.
Birding
Cristalino Lodge has always welcomed bird lovers, as this fascinating activity creates a profound connection with preservation areas. With nearly 600 cataloged species, the Cristalino reserves are home to dozens of endemic birds. Some have been scientifically described for the first time within the Cristalino reserves. There are specific trails for birdwatching, enabling immersion within the Amazon’s rich abundance of different species.
YOUR STAY MAKES A DIFFERENCE BY VISITING THE CRISTALINO LODGE, YOU ARE COLLABORATING IN IMPORTANT INITIATIVES FOR RESPONSIBLE TOURISM
The area of forest preserved by Cristalino Lodge absorbs thousands of tons of carbon from the atmosphere. By visiting the Cristalino Lodge you are contributing to the preservation of the Cristalino RPPN, which yields numerous benefits for the climate and protects the biodiversity of the region.
Moreover, every night that you spend at the Lodge helps to guarantee the employment of 7 staff members, which in turn contributes to responsible tourism as part of the regional economy. Visits to the Lodge also contribute towards the important education, research and conservation efforts of the Cristalino Ecological Foundation.