General Info
Weather
The weather can be hot. Mid-day temperatures in the Amazon range from 85o-95oF, or higher, with 80-90% humidity. Due to the intense sun (you are literally on the equator) and sweat-inspiring humidity during the day, you’ll want to be mindful of dehydration and overexposure to the sun. At night the temperature drops to a comfortable 65o-75oF. There are occasional rain showers (you are deep inside a rainforest), so you want to have light rain jackets and rain pants with you at all times.
This jungle is surprisingly friendly due the high tannic acid concentration in its waters. Some mosquitoes may be present, but very few in our experience. As for the rest, we remind you that this is a virgin rainforest where all kinds of spiders and strange insects live. We recommend guests not go deep into the jungle, pass through dense vegetation or turn logs over, etc. We strongly recommend wearing long sleeve shirts and pants.
Currency
The Brazilian Real is about 5 R$ per 1 U.S. dollar. Dollar bills in Brazil are only accepted in perfect condition, or new, without breaks or marks. Most places accept credit cards. We advise all clients bringing in cash all tips, native fee and some extra money for small purchases.
Credit Cards / Money Exchange
We strongly suggest you contact your Credit Card company and request a new CHIPPED card for your travel in Brazil and elsewhere around the world. More and more foreign countries are switching to chipped cards, which are far more secure and more difficult to steal info from. The old magnetic stripped cards are frequently declined or do not work, leaving travelers in a very tight spot.
Regardless of the type of credit card you have, be certain to call your credit card company (800 number on the back of the card) to notify them that you will be traveling outside the country.
Once in Brazil, there are a couple of options to get Brazilian “Reals”:
1) there is an ATM machine close to the hotel, or
2) You can exchange $USD for Reals at the Hotel Concierge. Ask our hostess the best way to exchange to BRazilian Reals
Manaus is a modern, rapidly growing city (1.4 million habitants). It is one of the busiest ports in the Amazon where cargo ships distribute their goods throughout the Amazon basin. There are many interesting places to visit: The Amazonas Theater, The Palace "Río Negro", the Floating Port, the Municipal Market Adolpho Lisboa, the Forest of Science, the Museum of Natural Science, as well as the Aboriginal Fair, where you can buy items made by the Indians. We strongly recommend you consider visiting the Fish Market, no one that visits regrets it and most say it is the highlight of cultural experiences in Manaus.
The Rivers Amazon
Alex Shoumatoff, Sierra Club Books, Copyright 1986Summary: Great starter Amazon ecology book written about the Amazon Basin and its settlement and changes.
The Ecotraveller’s Wildlife Guide Brazil, Amazon and Pantanal
David Pearson and Les BeletskySummary: The definitive guide for Amazon bird and wildlife. This is a must for anyone traveling to the camp.
Tropical Nature
Adrian Forsyth and Ken Miyata New York: Scribners, Copyright 1984.Summary: Introduction to rain forest ecology. Excellent read!
The River of Doubt
Candice Millard, Doubleday, Copyright 2005Summary: Follow America’s greatest President as he explores the Amazon Basin and faces tests that challenge his formidable spirit.