Dolphin Lodge Hotel
Manaus, Brazilian Amazon
How to get to Dolphin Lodge
Dolphin Lodge is located around 40 minutes by boat from Manaus, the capital of the state of Amazonas in Brazil. The boat trip itself already gives the journey a sense of adventure. This luxury ecolodge sits in a prime spot in the Amazon rainforest, on the banks of the Rio Negro, one of the most important rivers of the region.
When to visit
The best time to visit Manaus is between June and October, when the weather is more pleasant and the dry season makes it easier to explore the Amazon and the jungle. The rainy season runs from November to May, with the rivers overflowing and flooding the forest. The result is still beautiful, but movement on foot is much more limited during those months.
The essence of the resort
Located in the heart of the Amazon rainforest, Dolphin Lodge offers an experience that stands apart from other hotels in Manaus, Brazil. This luxury ecolodge combines immersion in nature with the comfort and elegance you would expect from a high-end stay. The Amazon rainforest is right at the door, and the lodge is built to make that proximity feel natural rather than staged.
What we liked most is that, for us, this is the best way to visit the Amazon. There is no need to organise a guide separately because all the activities are included at Dolphin Eco Lodge. We arrived not knowing exactly what was included in the stay, and the offering was much more complete than expected. In our opinion, this is genuinely the right way to visit the Amazon without complicating logistics.
Room types
Standard Bungalow
These cabins offer spectacular views of the Rio Negro and the surrounding rainforest. They are equipped with comfortable beds, ceiling fans, and a private bathroom with a shower.
Superior Bungalow
Suite with river views
The most luxurious option, with greater spaciousness, a private terrace, and a breathtaking panoramic river view. The suites are designed to offer maximum comfort and privacy in the heart of the jungle.
Our room
The design of Dolphin Lodge is built around its integration with the natural environment. The lodge combines comfort and elegance with the use of local and sustainable materials. The private cabins are built on stilts, which minimises the impact on the land and gives every cabin panoramic views of the Amazon and the river below. Inside, the spaces are spacious, well lit and decorated with a clear hand: warm tones, native wood and large windows that let the jungle into the room. There is air conditioning, hot water, a strong shower and a quiet enough setting that you actually sleep well at night.
Resort Facilities
The lodge was set up with a clear aim: offer an immersive experience in the Amazon while supporting the conservation of the natural environment and the local communities. The result is a place where luxury and exploration coexist without contradiction, in a setting that is genuinely hard to compare with anywhere else.
Pool
The pool at Dolphin Eco Lodge was one of the spots we enjoyed most during our stay. It is a natural pool that looks straight out at the Amazon, perfectly integrated with the surroundings. You swim, you stop, you look up, and the jungle is right there. Surrounded by dense Amazonian vegetation and with direct views of the Rio Negro, it became our default place between activities. We spent the late afternoons there reading and watching the river, which was one of the best ways to wind down after a morning of trekking or canoeing.
Restaurant
The restaurant at Dolphin Eco Lodge was a real highlight. While we ate, the pink dolphins of the Rio Negro appeared from time to time in the river right in front of us, as if they were joining us for lunch. The food is buffet-style and included in the price of your stay, which is a relief: no menus to study, no plates to add up, just sit down and eat. The selection rotates each day and combines Brazilian Amazonian cuisine with a few international dishes. We particularly liked the local fish, the tropical fruit you do not find back home and the small homemade desserts. There is also a small bar with caipirinhas and Brazilian beers for the evening, all included.
Resort activities
The activities at Dolphin Eco Lodge are, in our view, the best part of the experience. They are all included in your stay and the quality is genuinely high. Each activity is designed to connect guests with the Amazon rainforest in a distinct way, and together they cover the most interesting angles of the region. We arrived expecting one or two highlights and left convinced that this is one of the things that justifies the trip on its own.
Amazon excursion with wildlife viewing
Get ready to explore the jungle with an Amazon guide, surrounded by very dense nature. You walk along jungle trails and look out for playful monkeys, colourful tropical birds and the occasional tarantula in its natural habitat. The tour lets you enjoy the rainforest at the right pace while you learn about the flora and fauna of the area from someone who has lived there for years. The guides know exactly where to stop and what to point out, and that makes the difference between a walk and a real wildlife experience.
Piranha fishing
In this activity, you can learn local fishing techniques and catch a piranha (which is then released back into the river). It’s a unique and fun experience, where you’ll be amazed by the voracious appetite of these small animals.
Boat excursion through the igarapés (Amazonian canals)
You paddle a canoe along the quieter tributaries and lakes of the Amazon, and this one is a must-do. The panoramic views are something else: iridescent dragonflies, exotic birds flying overhead and the constant soundtrack of the jungle. During this excursion you will see an incredible variety of tropical birds, including toucans, macaws and falcons, plus the occasional caiman from a safe distance. The slow rhythm of the canoe is exactly what makes this activity work.
Rubber in the Amazon
On this Amazon excursion we learned about traditional rubber extraction, a key practice in the history of the region. We saw exactly how the cuts are made on the trees to extract the latex and how, using smoke, it solidifies into the rubber used historically. We also learned about the broader history of the rubber boom in the Amazon, which shaped Manaus and the entire region during the late 19th century. A short activity, but one of the most interesting from a historical point of view.
Excursion to see the sunrise in the Amazon
Wake up early and head out to see the Amazon as it wakes with you. As the sun begins to rise, the jungle comes alive, lit by the first horizontal light of the day. This is one of the best ways to connect with the natural beauty of the Amazon region, and one of the activities we would do again without thinking twice.
Our Experience at Dolphin Lodge
Manaus, Brazilian Amazon
The best way to visit the Brazilian Amazon
Our experience at Dolphin Lodge was a strong recommendation. The lodge combines luxury, sustainability and authenticity in a way that genuinely works, and it creates an atmosphere you do not find easily in this part of the world. The cabins on stilts offer wide views of the Rio Negro and give you a direct connection with nature from the moment you wake up.
The attention to detail and the friendliness of the staff also stand out. Carlos, Manuela and the rest of the team were always available and ready to make sure every part of the stay flowed well. The level of service feels personal rather than corporate, and that is one of the reasons the place leaves such a clear impression.
The food deserves its own mention. Every meal at Dolphin Eco Lodge was a small celebration of Brazilian Amazonian cuisine. The fish from the Rio Negro, the tropical fruit and the homemade desserts kept us looking forward to the next meal. Watching the pink dolphins from the dining room during meals was a small bonus that we did not see coming.
The activities included in the stay are what closed the deal for us. From the canoe trips along the tributaries of the Amazon, to the rubber extraction visit, the trekking and the sunrise outing, every activity gave us a different angle on the rainforest. In our opinion, this is exactly how the Amazon is meant to be visited.
If you are looking for a stay that combines high-end comfort with a serious immersion in the Amazon, Dolphin Lodge in Manaus, Brazil is one of the best options we have come across.
