The structure and operation of the lodge have been carefully designed to be totally integrated into the rainforest environment, minimizing human footprint while enabling visitors to enjoy and preserve the flora and fauna of the surrounding jungle. The lodge is built over solid ground, on a series of stilts, facing the silent waters of the Juma Lake.
Bungalows
There are 8 standard bungalows facing the jungle and 12 special bungalows facing the lake, all nestled among the treetops 15 meters (49 feet) above the water (during the dry season), in a private, secluded area of the lodge. All bungalows are comfortable, with private bathroom, fan and balcony.
Restaurant
The restaurant is also built on stilts and has an excellent view to the Juma Lake. The meals are buffet-style, with regional and international cuisine.
Front Desk
The front desk, located in front of a deck area with a nice lake view, has a small bar, some games (cards, backgammon, chess, etc.), books about the Amazon, painting implements and a professional telescope for moon and star observation.
Hammock House
Recently inaugurated, the hammock house is very popular among our guests, especially after meals and activities.
WEATHER
Because of our proximity to the Equator (we are at latitude 03ºS), it is always warm in Juma, with a year-round temperature of 27ºC (80ºF). The Amazon region can be visited at any time of the year, but there are two distinct seasons, a fact that should be taken into account when making a decision:
- FLOOD SEASON - from March to August, when the water level rises up to 15 meters (49 feet). This is the ideal season to see the flooded land, known as igapó, in all its beauty.
- DRY SEASON - from September to February, when the level of the rivers reaches its lowest point, crowding the fish together and making catching them easier. You are also more likely to spot alligators.
IMPORTANT
- Juma is located in a black water region, so there are almost no mosquitoes here.
- The lodge is equipped with telephone.
- As space is limited, we ask guests not to bring more than 10 kg of luggage per person.
- It is important to bring swimsuits, tennis shoes, long pants, hat, sun block, insect repellent, raincoat, flashlight and binoculars.
ACTIVITIES
The Juma Amazon Lodge offers different activities in the Amazon region, and they are already included in the packages (except the dolphin activity and the hydroplane flight, which are both charged separately). All the activities are led by a guide.
Meeting of the Waters
During the trip to Juma, we stop to see the amazing Meeting of the Waters, the spot where the muddy waters of the Solimões River and the black waters of the Negro River run side by side, without mixing, to form the great Amazonas River. It is possible to feel the temperature difference between the rivers.
Pirarucu Floating Dock
The Pirarucu (Arapaima gigas), known as the gigantic freshwater fish, is a specie that can reach more than 3 meters (9,8 fts) and 200 kg (440 lb)! The Pirarucu Floating Dock preserves and allows us to feed them. During this experience, we will feel their respectable strength.
Canoeing
This activity is a reconnaissance tour through the igarapés (Amazonian creeks) and the igapós (flooded forest), made in paddle canoes. During the trip you can swim and may encounter some pink dolphins.
Alligator Spotting
At night we go out in a canoe to observe the night fauna and meet alligators, frogs and birds. At some point, the guide will direct his flashlight towards the banks of the river: you will be looking straight at the eyes of an alligator. The light beam hypnotizes it, which facilitates the capture of the animal by our experienced guide. After you have had a chance to see it, the animal is returned to the river, unharmed.
Sunrise Excursion
Early in the morning we will leave for a sunrise excursion, witnessing the transformation of the sky and listening to the sights and sounds of the waking birds. Our guides are trained and equipped with binoculars to complement this experience with bird watching.
Jungle Hike
In this educational jungle walk. our expert guide will introduce you to the Amazon’s wildlife, showing you plants that are edible, medicinal, and useful for many other purposes. Exploration walks are constantly changed to avoid damaging the forest through overuse.
Tour around the Lodge
Here you have the chance to see the lodge, completely built on stilts, from a different perspective: from the bottom. It is a very interesting way to understand the lodge’s construction. The tour is organized by boat (in the flood season) or walking (in the dry season).
Piranha Fishing
We will board a motor boat with a guide to fish and find out more about the well-known piranha and also other Amazonian fishes.
Lecture
One of our native guides will make an informal lecture about everyday life, legends and culture of the region.
Picnic in the Jungle
After a hike, we will stop at a pleasant spot in the forest to eat lunch (regional cuisine baked over a fire) and rest in hammocks, as the natives do.
Visiting Local Inhabitants
A native will impart his knowledge about traditional medicine plants and demonstrate how manioc flour, the main economic resource in the region, is prepared. We will also have the opportunity to see how latex is extracted from a rubber tree (rubber was responsible for the economic boom at the end of the 19th century).
Visiting a Sumaúma Tree
We will visit a gigantic Sumaúma that is approximately 300 years old. The Sumaúma tree is recognized as the biggest tree species in height and diameter in the Amazon, reaching up to 40 meters high (130 feet).
Craft Workshops
On the deck at Juma, one of our guides will teach you some local craft, such as making objects from babaçu leaves, açaí seeds, fish scales and other sources.
Tree Climbing
The Juma Amazon Lodge has a partnership with Amazon Tree Climbing, a specialized company that is a pioneer in recreational tree climbing in Brazil. The activity provides a unique experience exploring the tree tops of the biggest Amazonian trees.
Overnight in the Jungle
After dinner, our guide takes you for an overnight stay in the jungle, where you will sleep in hammocks tied to trees. It is a fascinating experience to sleep among the forest and to hear the animal sounds.
