Cristalino Lodge
THE AMAZON, Brazil
PERSONALITIES
Bird Enthusiasts. Jungle explorers. Eco tourists.
MOMENTS
A luxury rainforest experience. Late afternoon river boat trips. Close wildlife encounters. Fire burning in the middle of the river deck.
BEST VISITING MONTHS
Anytime! The dry season is from June to November, and the green season is from December to May.
COST
WHY STAY
Hidden deep within the southern edge of the Brazilian Amazon, near Alta Floresta in Mato Grosso, Cristalino Lodge rests along the banks of the Cristalino River — a protected private reserve that spans over 11,000 hectares of primary rainforest. This is one of the richest ecosystems on Earth, home to over 600 bird species, 2,000 types of butterflies, and countless mammals, from howler monkeys to tapirs and elusive jaguars.
The lodge’s architecture blends seamlessly with its surroundings. Built from sustainable forest wood and natural stone, the structures rise lightly above the ground, connected by wooden walkways that weave through the trees. Guest bungalows feature open-air showers, large windows, and private decks, inviting the forest inside while maintaining a sense of calm and simplicity. Interiors balance earthy tones with clean lines, echoing the lodge’s philosophy: refined comfort without excess, luxury through immersion.
Founded by Vitoria da Riva Carvalho, a pioneer of Brazilian ecotourism, Cristalino Lodge was conceived not as an escape from the world, but as a return to it. Every element — from its low-impact construction to its research-driven conservation work — embodies the belief that protecting the Amazon is both an ecological and human endeavor. Here, connection comes naturally: to the land, to the water, and to the rhythm of the forest itself.
WHY WANDER
The experiences at Cristalino unfold slowly, guided by expert naturalists who know the forest’s every sound and shadow. Mornings begin with canoe rides along the Cristalino River, where kingfishers skim the surface and giant otters play in the current. Afternoon hikes lead into dense jungle trails, past ancient Brazil nut trees and giant figs wrapped in lianas, revealing an Amazon that feels both eternal and alive.
Climb the 50-meter canopy towers for a rare view above the treetops—an endless ocean of green stretching to the horizon, punctuated by the calls of parrots and toucans. As dusk settles, night walks reveal another world entirely: phosphorescent fungi, the hum of insects, the flash of a caiman’s eyes across the water.
Beyond the lodge, guests can engage in conservation and community projects through the Cristalino Foundation, learning about habitat restoration, bird monitoring, and environmental education. It’s not just exploration—it’s participation in the forest’s ongoing story.
INDULGE IN
Dining at Cristalino Lodge celebrates the flavors of the Amazon. Meals feature locally sourced ingredients—fresh fish, tropical fruits, and vegetables grown in the region—served in an open-air restaurant overlooking the forest. Evenings invite guests to gather around the fire pit or enjoy Brazilian wines under a sky scattered with stars.
GETTING THERE
Cristalino Lodge is reached via a 1-hour flight from Cuiabá to Alta Floresta, followed by a 30-minute drive and a short boat transfer up the Cristalino River.
WILD INITIATIVES
The lodge operates in partnership with the Cristalino Foundation, dedicated to conservation, research, and education in the southern Amazon. The foundation manages biodiversity monitoring, reforestation programs, and environmental workshops for local communities and schools.
Cristalino’s architecture uses native certified wood, solar energy, and wastewater treatment systems to minimize impact. Only a small portion of the reserve is used for tourism; the rest is left untouched, serving as a vital refuge for endangered species and a living classroom for scientists.
Every stay directly supports the protection of over 44,000 acres of Amazon rainforest—proof that travel, when done consciously, can preserve what it touches.
*Images property of Cristalino Lodge, Kátia Kuwabara, Samuel Melim, Edson Endrigo, Jorge Lopes, Will Carter, Luis Gomes, João Marcos Rosa, João Paulo Krajewski