Cristalino Lodge is a very comfortable Amazon jungle lodge for serious wildlife and nature lovers. You won’t find TV  here: the emphasis is on an authentic rainforest experience. However, if you need to stay in contact or seek out information, there is now free Wifi available at the lodge. The rooms and luxury cottages are scattered around the landscaped grounds, fringed with dense woodland and frequented by monkeys, macaws and blue morpho butterflies. 

The lodge is in Southern Amazônia, accessible by air and boat from the city of Cuiabá, which is also the gateway for visits to lodges in the Pantanal wetlands. It sits on the Cristalino Private Reserve, a rigorously protected area of tremendous biodiversity. This is one of the best places on the continent to appreciate primary rainforest: the forest here has never been cut and the density of enormous hardwood trees is testimony to that. 

You won’t see as many animals as in the Pantanal but your chances are greater than at most other lodges in the Brazilian Amazon. In particular a huge variety of birds lives in the area around the lodge and can be observed from the superb canopy towers and along numerous trails within the grounds. 

Aside from the bountiful attractions of the natural environment, comfort and relaxation add to the appeal of a stay here. The facilities have recently been renovated, and now present a very pleasing aspect. On our last visit we observed guests particularly enjoying relaxing on the pontoon, which floats on the sparkling black waters of the Cristalino river and is bedecked with hammocks, loungers and shaded chairs. Occasionally an open fire is lit at dusk, the best time to stargaze and look out for awakening nocturnal wildlife.

The varied excursions here are led by enthusiastic and knowledgeable guides from Brazil and beyond, and will satisfy wildlife enthusiasts. Food is excellent and plentiful with enough variety to please both meat-eaters and vegetarians.