Brazil’s top 5 luxury nature lodges

Brazil is the largest country in South America and a land of unparalleled natural beauty and diversity. From the lush, dense rainforests of the Amazon Basin, which house an extraordinary array of wildlife, to the expansive wetlands of the Pantanal teeming with life, Brazil’s ecosystems are among the most biodiverse on the planet.

The country’s vast landscapes also include the rugged highlands of the Cerrado, the striking coastal Atlantic Forest, and the sweeping savannas. Each of these regions contributes to Brazil’s rich tapestry of flora and fauna, making it a global treasure for nature lovers and conservationists alike.

Amidst these beautiful landscapes are some wonderful places to stay to experience up close these spectacular sights and get up close to some endangered wildlife.

Below are our top 5 luxury lodges in Brazil where you can immerse yourself in the natural world.

Caiman

Located on a 53,000-hectare ranch, 36 km from the small town of Miranda in the magnificent setting of the Pantanal wetlands of Mato Grosso do Sul, Refugio Ecologico Caiman is a cattle farm, an important centre for nature conservation projects and home to the region’s most exclusive ecolodges. Caiman was established in 1985 as the first ecotourism operation in the Southern Pantanal. Since then it has aimed to offer visitors a means of getting closer to the region’s nature and culture, while pursuing excellence in hospitality services and gastronomy.

The property has 2 lodges, the main Casa Caiman where most guests are hosted and a private villa, Baiazinha (6 standard rooms). Casa Caiman has 18 rooms, divided into Suites, Superior Suites and Master Suites. Casa Caiman has a gym, swimming pool, deck to the bay, living room with 2 rooms, dining room with 2 rooms, a spacious TV room and games room.

Caiman operates an important Nature Conservation Programme, which is recognised domestically and internationally. This consists of maintaining a Private Reserve of Natural Patrimony (RPPN) on a 5,600-hectare area and supporting various research and species management projects carried out on the whole ranch such as projects focused on the stunning blue hyacinth macaws and the Americas’ biggest predator: the elusive jaguar.

Miranda Estancia, a traditional cattle ranch founded in 1910 by English investors, was the precursor of the present Caiman Ranch. The ranch currently runs around 35,000 head of cattle on natural pasture, seeking harmonious integration of livestock with the wildlife. This operation is open to visitors and can be seen first-hand by anyone interested. The permanent residents’ community for both lodge and ranch employees and their families, houses 180 people. In addition to having access to a school, medical and dental care and the necessary infrastructure, all employees are trained in and committed to the Caiman’s social and environmental programme.

Caiman is involved in a variety of important conservation programmes (including 3 successful projects focusing on hyacinth macaws, tapirs and jaguars). If you are particularly interested in viewing wild jaguar, an optional specific jaguar spotting day can be organised and we would highly recommend it.

To experience a safari style holiday in Latin America, this is the place to stay.

Cristalino Lodge

Named by National Geographic as one of the world’s best ecolodges, the incredible Cristalino Jungle lodge is an amazing property in a 29,000 acre private reserve in the Amazon rainforest.

Cristalino Jungle Lodge is nestled in a private forest reserve in the southern Brazilian Amazon rainforest. It borders the Cristalino State Park and is therefore part of a continuous extensive protected area of forest that extends northward into the adjacent state of Para. This unique region contains many species found only in this part of the Amazon. The area contains pristine forest and aquatic habitats that support a very rich fauna and flora, and it has been described as an Amazonian sanctuary. The rooms provide 2 comfortable beds, spacious bathrooms, a well-lit writing desk, small private outside shower, ceiling fan, wide windows with an extensive view of the outdoors, a natural ventilation system and a small veranda with a hammock. Electricity is available from 12:00 pm to 3 pm and from 6:00 pm to 10:30 pm. There are candles inside all the rooms.

If you are interested in wildlife, especially birds, this is without question the number one destination for anyone wishing to go on a birdwatching holiday. No less than 586 species have been recorded in the vicinity, including a number of endemics. The lodge plays an important role in conservation by protecting primary rainforest and contributing towards important conservation projects.

At the lodge, guests can enjoy a number of activities including boat excursions, hiking trails, birdwatching, canoeing and observing wildlife from the 50 metre high canopy tower located in the middle of the reserve. During these trips, which are all led by experience guides, there will be numerous opportunities to spot birds, mammals and reptiles including monkeys, toucans, tapir, giant river otter and macaws.

The property has a floating deck, perfect for lazing in the sunshine with steps down to the Cristalino river which is perfect for swimming in. The onsite restaurant is laid back and serves a delicious selection of international and local dishes.

The lodge has three levels of accommodation; Standard and superior rooms as well as private bungalows. All are very comfortable with the bungalows offering that something little bit special.

Anavilhanas Jungle Lodge

Hidden in the heart of a remote archipelago of the same name, the Anavilhanas Jungle Lodge the lodge offers a haven of luxury amidst one of the worlds most fragile eco-systems, the Amazon.

It’s a small jungle hotel, located 180 kms away from Manaus on the banks of the Negro River and opposite the Anavilhanas National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with more than 3.5 billion square metres of preserved forest. Anavilhanas Lodge offers a real slice of luxury amidst an incredibly tranquil setting.

Just 20 highly private and contemporary bungalows provide an oasis in the rainforest and are all well equipped with everything one could need. There are 4 unique private stilt-suspended bungalows, nestled in the woods with glass walls, 32 inch TV, a spacious balcony and lots of privacy. All rooms feature air-conditioning, a safe and a minibar.

There are several packages ranging in length of stay and emphasis of the visit; however, all packages include meals at the hotel restaurant, as well as two to three daily tour options. Examples of activities include hikes in the jungle, piranha fishing, dolphin and alligator spotting, canoe trips, and visits to local indigenous communities.

When not participating in the lodge’s activities, guests can relax in the lush swimming pool area or have a drink at the bar, which also offers a library, games, and comfortable chairs. The restaurant is available for all meals and serves a variety of Amazonian flavours and international cuisine.

Sustainability was carefully considered when the lodge was built and today it strives to offer a low environmental impact on it’s surroundings, with strict conservation rules and working closely in partnership with the local Amazon communities.

Pousada Trijuncão

One of Brazil’s best kept secrets, the Brazilian cerrado, or savannah, is one of the most biodiverse eco-systems on earth. Boasting an incredible 13,000 plant species alongside 850 birds, 251 mammals, 482 reptiles & amphibians and 1,200 fish: this natural paradise is a must see for those looking to enjoy a unique wildlife experience in Brazil.

Pousada Trijuncão is located within 33,000 hectares of protected land and is accessible only via a 5-hour car journey from nearby Brasília, or a 30-minute light aircraft flight. With just seven carefully designed rooms, conceived to combine the characterful rusticity of the local area with the luxuries of modern high-end travel, the pousada offers the discerning nature-lover something utterly original.

Comfortable communal spaces and the beautiful bird-filled gardens perfectly compliment the suites, each featuring a king-size bed, indulgent Natura toiletries, Trousseau robes, air-conditioning and a spacious living area. Pousada Trijuncao also offers a small pool, massage rooms and an ofuro for blissful relaxation in isolated rural surroundings.

Highlights of the included activity package at Pousada Trijuncao include visiting the Grande Sertão Veredas National Park, nocturnal kayaking in search of caiman, stargazing, eco-safaris, birdwatching and visiting the maned wolf conservation project run by local NGO, Onçafari. Keep your eyes peeled throughout your stay for ocelots, rare black jaguars, maned wolves, armadillos and tapirs – enjoying the opportunity to disconnect and appreciate the majesty of Brazilian nature in supreme comfort.

Ibiti Project

The Ibiti Project is a wonderful private preservation project set in a beautiful 4000 hectare area of countryside and containing one of Latin America’s finest small hotels, perfect for a luxury retreat within nature.

The Ibiti Project offers visitors a slice of luxury in the Brazilian countryside, and is just a 3 hour drive from the dazzling city of Rio de Janeiro. Located at the junction of the Mantiquira Mountains, in the southeast of Minas Gerais state, the reserve enables guests to travel into authentic Brazilian history whilst enjoying an exceptionally high level of service, comfort and regional food.

There are 3 very different accommodation concepts across the reserve but at the heart of the reserve is the Fazenda do Engenho, an exceptional hotel which feels very far away from the stresses of the modern world. This is a traditional farmhouse which was renoved in 2006 and dates from 1715. It has 8 wonderful guest rooms, a restaurant, spa, sauna and hydro-massage pool. For those wanting to arrive in style, the property also has a private airstrip.

In an attempt to escape from the daily routine of our busy lives the suites do not contain televisions so that a stay whilst on holiday in Brazil here feels a world away from the humdrum of home. There are a number of other houses on the property are also available, 100 metres from the main house: Carlinhos, with 3 suites – perfect for families or small groups of friends – and the very exclusive, 1 double bedroom Paiol. The Mogol village hosts a number of other properties while there are also remote properties if you really want to escape from everyone else.

In all properties the highest level of comfort is sought for guests and every bathroom is equipped with underfloor heating and warm towels, the beds are huge and dressed with Egyptian cotton sheets and L’Occitane amenities.

The Ibiti Project is perfect for those interested in horse riding and the stable has Mangalarga and Anglo-Arabian horses for guests to set off on horseback to explore the extraordinary natural surroundings of waterfalls and mountains.

The meals provided as the reserve are sophisticated and simple, with a variety of homemade breads, cakes, jams and dairy products all created on the property and all meals are typically made with ingredients from the local region.

This is an ideal property for anyone looking to escape the crowds and return to nature on a luxurious vacation to Brazil.

Simon Williams

Simon Williams is Director of Humboldt Travel. Humboldt Travel is a luxury travel company specialising in tailor made holidays to Latin America, Africa and Asia. If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.