Anavilhanas National Park: Discover this Amazon wonder

Explore nature and ecotourism in Anavilhanas National Park: map, what to do, tours, wildlife, facts, and why it is a UNESCO heritage site 

Did you know that Anavilhanas National Park is home to the second largest river archipelago in the world? Located on the Rio Negro in the Amazon Rainforest, Brazil, it holds more than 400 islands and 60 lakes, with up to 60% of its area submerged during the wet season, transforming the landscape every year.

Created in 2008 after being upgraded from an Ecological Station (1981), Anavilhanas safeguards unique ecosystems of várzea and igapó (flooded forests) while promoting sustainable tourism. This shift boosted Novo Airão’s city economy and made it the most visited national park in the Brazilian Amazon.

For ecotourism and community-based travel lovers, Anavilhanas is unmissable. With PlanetaEXO, travelers can explore responsibly: supporting conservation and local communities while enjoying authentic Amazon adventures.

With that in mind, here’s everything you need to know about Anavilhanas National Park: where it is, how to visit, the best activities, and the unique experiences awaiting you.

How to get to Anavilhanas National Park? 

The main gateway to Anavilhanas is Manaus, the capital of Amazonas state. Eduardo Gomes International Airport (MAO) receives direct flights from Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Panama City, Bogotá, and Lisbon, as well as numerous daily connections from São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Brasília.

From Manaus, the most popular way to reach the park is by road to Novo Airão, a small riverside town located 180 km away. The drive takes around 2–3 hours along the AM-070 and AM-352 highways.

Visitors can also hire transfers, rent a car, or even charter a hydroplane to land directly on the Rio Negro. Novo Airão is considered the main access point to the Anavilhanas map, with boats departing daily to explore the islands.

Another option is arriving by river. Boat transfers from Manaus to Novo Airão take 8–12 hours and allow travelers to witness the famous Meeting of the Waters, where the dark Rio Negro and the sandy Solimões flow side by side without mixing.

For those looking for a faster option, speedboats can make the same journey in around 3–4 hours, depending on river conditions. Many itineraries combine this journey with Amazon River cruises, giving visitors a complete experience of the region.

👉 Planning a trip to the Amazon? Check our complete article on How to get to the Amazon Rainforest in Brazil

What to do at Anavilhanas National Park 

Anavilhanas offers an impressive variety of activities. The most popular are boat tours through the channels and lakes of the archipelago, where travelers can spot pink river dolphins, caimans, and countless bird species such as toucans and macaws. 

Anavilhanas offers a wide range of activities that change with the seasons:

• Boat tours: Through channels and lakes, with chances to see pink river dolphins, caimans, and many bird species.
• Dry season (Sep–Feb): White-sand beaches appear, perfect for swimming and relaxing.
• Wet season (Mar–Aug): Igapó forests flood, ideal for canoe or kayak trips through surreal waterways. 
• Hiking in the land: Explore giant trees, orchids, and even prehistoric rock carvings when water levels drop.
• Visit ICMBio bases in the archipelago: visitors can stop at research and monitoring structures to learn about ongoing conservation measures and the protection of this fragile ecosystem. In the surrounding areas, during nighttime spotlights and near some ICMBio bases, large caimans also make occasional appearances.

👉 Need more ideas for planning your time in the Amazon? Read on Top things to do in the Amazon Rainforest in Brazil 

Best tours at Anavilhanas National Park 

Anavilhanas Jungle Lodge

Anavilhanas Jungle Lodge

One of the best ways to experience the park is by staying at the Anavilhanas Jungle Lodge, an award-winning ecolodge located in Novo Airão. Blending comfort with sustainability, the lodge offers guided excursions such as piranha fishing, nocturnal wildlife tours, canoeing, and visits to local communities.

Guests can also learn about scientific projects supported by the lodge, including biodiversity monitoring with researchers from the INPA (National Institute for Amazonian Research).

With luxury bungalows overlooking the Rio Negro, a pool with panoramic views, and Amazon-inspired cuisine, the lodge is both a refuge and a hub for conservation.

👉 Interested in this experience? Explore the Anavilhanas Jungle Lodge package and plan your stay

River cruise in the Anavilhanas National Park 

Another great way to experience the park is on an Amazon Jungle Cruise, departing from Manaus and sailing through the Rio Negro. Blending adventure with comfort, the itinerary includes canoeing through igapó forests, piranha fishing, hiking into the forest, and close encounters with pink river dolphins. This cruise offers the option of 4 or 7 days.

Travelers also visit Indigenous and riverside communities, explore hidden lagoons, and spot wildlife such as macaws, sloths, and pirarucu fish. On board, guests enjoy air-conditioned cabins, local cuisine, and leisure areas like a solarium and lounge, making the journey as enjoyable as the destination of Anavilhanas.

👉 Learn more about the 4-Day Amazon Jungle Cruise and set sail through Anavilhanas

Mirante do Gavião Jungle Lodge

Staying at the Mirante do Gavião Jungle Lodge is one of the best ways to discover Anavilhanas. From its privileged location on the Rio Negro, guests set out on daily tours through the archipelago, whether hiking to the Madadá Caves, exploring igapó forests by canoe, or relaxing on the white-sand beaches that appear in the dry season.

The lodge also connects travelers with the local culture, including visits to riverside communities, craft centers, and conservation initiatives. At sunset, boat rides across the Rio Negro provide unforgettable views of the Anavilhanas islands, followed by nocturnal excursions to spot caimans and other wildlife.

Between adventures, Mirante do Gavião offers comfort and exclusivity, making it the perfect base to combine relaxation with the best tours in the Anavilhanas National Park.

👉 Start to plan your adventure at Mirante do Gavião Jungle Lodge and experience the Amazon with purpose 

Luxury Amazon Cruise

The Luxury Amazon Cruise aboard the Zaltana is a 5-day journey through the Rio Negro and the Anavilhanas Archipelago. Guests explore hidden lakes and igarapés, hike to giant trees, try piranha fishing, and meet pink river dolphins, while also visiting Indigenous and riverside communities.

With 10 suite cabins, panoramic views, and Amazon-inspired cuisine, the Zaltana offers one of the most comfortable and exclusive ways to experience Anavilhanas National Park.

👉 Want to know more about this package? Check all that’s included in the Luxury Amazon Cruise in Brazil

Comparative price table for each package entering Anavilhanas: 

Tours	Starting Price per person (SET/2025)
Anavilhanas Jungle Lodge	R$ 12.054,00
Amazon Jungle Cruise (4 days)	R$ 13.030,00
Amazon Jungle Cruise (7 days)	R$ 17.850,00
Mirante do Gavião Jungle Lodge (4 days)	R$ 8.525,00
Luxury Amazon Cruise Zaltana	R$ 16.600,00

Best time to visit Anavilhanas National Park

The park is a year-round destination, but we already see that the experience changes dramatically with the seasons. In fact, this is a characteristic that makes Anavilhanas National Park even more unique! 

Dry Season (September–February)

White-sand beaches emerge across the islands, providing ideal conditions for swimming and birdwatching. Some species even nest in the sandbanks during this period. Trails through the igapó forests can be explored on foot.

Wet Season (March–August)

Water levels rise up to 16 meters, flooding 60% of the park’s area. This is the time to explore the igapó by canoe, admire flooded forests, and observe aquatic animals such as giant river otters and pink dolphins.

Transition Months

From October to December, prolonged droughts may reduce access to some areas, but conditions improve again by January.

👉 For more details, read our complete article on the Best time to visit the Amazon Rainforest

UNESCO Recognition

Since 2000, Anavilhanas has been part of the Central Amazon Conservation Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that also includes Jaú National Park and Mamirauá Reserve. 

It is also recognized as a Ramsar Site, highlighting its importance for protecting wetlands and migratory birds.

This international recognition ensures international visibility, long-term protection, and support for responsible tourism that benefits local communities while safeguarding biodiversity.

The history of Anavilhanas National Park 

The name Anavilhanas is believed to have originated from the Aneuene or Anauini River, which was once called Anaviana and later Anavilhena.

The park’s origins trace back to 1981, when it was created as the Anavilhanas Ecological Station, a category aimed at scientific research and environmental education. 

However, this designation conflicted with the reality of the region, which was better suited for sustainable tourism. In 2008, ICMBio reclassified the area as a National Park, expanding its boundaries to 350,000 hectares and opening it to responsible visitation.

The change also helped curb illegal logging, which had previously been common in the Rio Negro basin, and gave local communities new opportunities through ecotourism. 

Today, most of Novo Airão’s population relies directly or indirectly on tourism, from guiding to crafts and hospitality.

👉 See other incredible places to visit in the Amazon at Best places to visit in the Amazon, Brazil 

Wildlife, Animals, and Protected Systems

The biodiversity of Anavilhanas is astonishing. The igapó forests flood seasonally, creating habitats for unique plants and animals. Visitors may spot giant macucu trees, orchids, and fruiting species like açaí and cupuaçu.

Among the most emblematic animals are the Amazon pink dolphin, giant river otters, sloths, howler monkeys, and black caimans. 

Birdwatchers will be delighted with sightings of toucans, macaws, and even the rare harpy eagle. In the rivers and lakes, more than 300 fish species thrive, including pirarucu, piranhas, and dourado.

Scientific research in Anavilhanas National Park is vital and already brings important discoveries. A recent INPA study found that ant communities on the islands differ from those on terra firme, with seasonal flooding, not distance, driving changes in species composition. 

Some ants adapt by moving to tree canopies, while others struggle to survive, reinforcing the park’s role in protecting biodiversity and in advancing ecological knowledge.

👉 Get to know more about Best Brazil Wildlife Tours and Destinations 

Places to visit in Anavilhanas National Park

Anavilhanas impresses not only with its landscapes but also with the visitor experience. The acidic pH of the Rio Negro keeps mosquitoes away, making tours more pleasant, and the park has already welcomed over 40,000 visitors annually. With more than 400 islands and around 60 lakes, the archipelago is one of the richest and most diverse ecosystems in the Amazon.

• 3 Bocas (Three Mouths): one of the most scenic spots in the archipelago, where three channels meet, forming mirrored waters surrounded by lush vegetation.
• Madadá Caves: sandstone formations over 700 million years old, with nearby trails that reveal ancient rock paintings during the dry season.
• Flutuante dos Botos: the only regulated platform in Amazonas for observing pink river dolphins, offering ethical encounters and education about their conservation.
• Riverside communities: visits to villages such as Santo Antônio and Tiririca, where travelers learn about local traditions, crafts, and the Amazonian way of life.

Traveling with PlanetaEXO

At PlanetaEXO, we believe every adventure can make a difference. Our tours to Anavilhanas are designed to connect travelers with nature while supporting local communities and conservation projects. By booking with us, you ensure that your trip contributes to keeping the Amazon forest standing.

We help travelers find the perfect balance between exploration and sustainability. Our difference lies in offering authentic experiences guided by locals who know the forest better than anyone.

👉 Ready to live your adventure at Anavilhanas National Park? Contact us and start planning your Amazon journey today!

Read More: 

• Ecotourism in the Amazon Rainforest
• Best Amazon River Cruises in Brazil 
• 10 Amazon Rainforest travel tips to make the most of your adventure