Exploring the Amazon: Erica’s Adventure in a Floating Lodge in Brazil

One traveler, two friends, and a surprising immersion into the world’s largest tropical rainforest

Some trips start with a place, but this one started with an event. Erica L., 41, works as a research analyst in the United States. When a friend scheduled her wedding in Rio de Janeiro, Erica decided it was the perfect opportunity to extend her trip. After all, if she was going all the way to Brazil, she needed to explore more.

Together with two friends, she set off for an unforgettable journey in the Amazon, staying in a self-sufficient hotel with 6 suites that floats on the river, rises and falls with the water level, and runs on clean energy year-round.

Erica and her friends traveled into the rainforest on a 3-day Amazon jungle tour from Manaus, organized and led by PlanetaEXO’s team and local guides. Here, we share her story to show what experiencing nature is really like, featuring remarkable wildlife encounters, local connections, and much more comfort than she expected. Check it out below!

A trip extension that exceeded expectations

When Erica booked the tour, her expectations were already high. She had read the PlanetaEXO itinerary and seen photos, but reality managed to surpass it all. “The lodge staff went so far above and beyond. They were so wonderful and kind to us,” she recalled.

What surprised her most was the level of comfort. Expecting a rugged expedition and potential issues with mosquitoes (she even gave her friends a “stern talking to” about bug spray), the experience was exactly the opposite.

The floating lodge featured a beautiful rooftop stargazing area and a lovely pool. “It was very manageable and comfortable. The boat rides were smooth, lasting at most 3 hours, and the staff was always attentive to the group’s needs.”

👉 Read more: Best Amazon Jungle Lodges in Brazil

Amazonian hospitality and attention to detail

Traveling with dietary restrictions can be a challenge, especially in remote areas. Erica is vegetarian, and her two friends are vegan. “Honestly, I was a little bit worried that they were going to starve to death because it’s not a very common diet.”

However, the lodge staff shined. At every single meal, individualized vegan entrees and desserts were specially prepared for them using local vegetables and ingredients, reinforcing the lodge’s commitment to sustainability and eco-friendly practices.

👉 Read more: Amazonian Food: 7 Typical Dishes to Try in the Brazilian Amazon

The guide who reads the forest

In a forest with no signs and rivers that shift with the season, guiding is everything. Erica’s guides, Tyson and Josephine, left a profound mark.

Tyson knew the region so well that during one of the tours, he warned the boat driver it would be the last time they could take a specific route because the river level had dropped and it would soon be unsafe. “It was really crazy for me to think of how well you have to know a terrain to understand that. My brain doesn’t have that knowledge of anything,” Erica joked, impressed by such a level of skill.

The hospitality was just as stellar. Knowing that a French family would be arriving the next day, Tyson stayed up until 3 AM trying to learn basic French to welcome them in the best possible way.

Another surprise was discovering the team’s background. “I didn’t realize that all of the staff were going to be from the local indigenous communities,” she admitted. “That in and of itself is one of the coolest parts of the trip. [The team] was so warm and kind. It was the most hospitable accommodations I’ve experienced in any type of tourism.”

👉 Read more:

• How to Get to the Amazon Rainforest in Brazil?
• Best Amazon River Cruises in Brazil

Unforgettable wildlife encounters

Although the group fished for piranhas and spotted sloths, caimans, various birds, and two species of monkeys, it was the interaction with the Amazon river dolphins that stole the show.

“Tyson told us: ‘I think you guys are not only gonna see dolphins; I think you’re gonna see schools of dolphins.’ And we went and we did! It was amazing. They were fishing, jumping out, and got very close to the boat,” Erica remembered excitedly, noting that the sightings were frequent enough for everyone to capture on video.

👉 Read more: 15 Amazon Animals – Unravel the Wildlife in Brazil

Is it safe to travel to the Amazon? Erica’s honest answer

Safety is a common concern for first-time visitors to Brazil. Erica, however, felt 100% safe. Before the trip, she read the PlanetaEXO blog about safety in Manaus and took sensible precautions.

“I knew to respect what I was reading. We always used Uber Black, and I was very conservative with how late we were out. I don’t want to be more adventurous than I might have been in a place where I knew the city better, so I had no problems [anywhere in Brazil],” she stated.

Language wasn’t a barrier either. Erica’s basic Spanish was enough, since it’s somewhat similar to Portuguese. At the lodge, she held full conversations in Spanish with the chef and bartender. “Everyone was very patient and kind.”

Erica’s tips for first-time travelers

Following her experience, Erica shared three practical tips for anyone planning to visit the Amazon:

Bring small bills for tipping

Erica wished she had brought more reais (the local currency) in cash to individually tip the various staff members (guides, boat drivers, and lodge staff) who provided such exceptional assistance. “I didn’t understand how gracious and intensive the service would be.” There were at least five people she wanted to tip individually.

Worth knowing: the tipping culture in Brazil is different from the US, since service is often built into the bill and staff doesn’t count on it. It is appreciated, never obligatory. If you do want to tip, bring small notes in reais.

Prepare for local donations

During the trip, the group visited an impressive local school where children are taught multiple languages. Had she known beforehand that some communities welcome donations, she would have loved to bring school supplies.

“I would never presume to do something like that, because it can be weird when you’re offering gifts that people haven’t said are okay to give,” she said. Erica recommends asking in advance if there is any way to support the local communities visited along the itinerary.

Pack some casual resort wear

Erica over-prepared for an “extreme” jungle expedition, but the lodge had a very pleasant atmosphere. “Travelers might want to include more resort-style or casual clothing for time spent at the lodge,” she advises.

👉 Read more: When is the Best Time to Visit the Amazon Rainforest in Brazil

Next plans: The Pantanal

One trip simply wasn’t enough. Brazil won Erica over, and she is already thinking about coming back. The next destination? The Pantanal.

As a huge wildlife fan (who missed seeing capybaras in Rio de Janeiro!), she is already dreaming of visiting the region to spot the iconic jaguars.

👉 Read more: Where is the Best Place to See Jaguars in the Pantanal?

Discover the Amazon with PlanetaEXO

Now that you’ve seen the Amazon through Erica’s eyes, you know what this trip actually asks of you (very little) and what it gives back: spontaneous wildlife encounters, attentive guides who read the river like a map, high-end hospitality, and breathtaking natural landscapes.

PlanetaEXO is an ecotourism platform specializing in Amazon Rainforest tours in Brazil. Working alongside the best operators, we handle the logistics (transfers, lodges, meals, and routes) so all you have to do is enjoy yourself. Contact us now!