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Brazil🇧🇷 | national parksAnavilhanas National ParkBlack-water maze, flooded igapó, pink dolphins, night caimans | things to do and best time to go

Explore Ilha do CardosoExplore Aparados da Serra National Park

Backpacking in Anavilhanas
👍 Recommendednational park ranked #17
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 19, 2026

Most travelers must decide between a quick day boat from Novo Airão and a night or two in a jungle lodge or hammock boat, and the overnight wins because the archipelago reveals itself at dawn. Anavilhanas National Park sits in the north of Brazil, northwest of Manaus on the Rio Negro. Rent a canoe, glide through flooded forest, and you get silence and birdsong. Skip the crowded dock stops. A boatman there once told me, “Wait for the engine to stop,” and the howler monkeys answered. Best for patient paddlers, poor for anyone wanting road trails.

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #17 national park in BrazilWhat makes this national park worth exploring

Anavilhanas National Park suits self-organized travelers who like choosing their own pace on the water. Roughly 400 islands form one of the largest freshwater river archipelagos on Earth, and the channels between them are made for small canoes and slow exploring. Novo Airão, the gateway town, has simple guesthouses and cheap riverside food, so you can arrange boats locally rather than buying a package. During the high-water months, the flooded igapó forest lets you paddle among treetops. Hikers should look elsewhere, since the interior is mostly water and dense forest.

💡 HighlightsTop highlights of Anavilhanas

  1. Anavilhanas Archipelago channels: the park’s signature sight, a maze of hundreds of low forested islands split by black-water channels that reflect the sky.
  2. Flooded igapó forest: in high water, canoes slip between tree trunks and branches, with the canopy at eye level.
  3. Rio Negro sunsets: the wide, dark river turns glassy at day’s end, and the islands become silhouettes.
  4. Pink river dolphins at Novo Airão: boto dolphins gather near the town’s floating platform, and you can watch them from a short distance.
  5. Howler monkeys and birdlife: you hear the howlers before you see them, while herons, kingfishers and macaws cross the channels.
  6. Sandy river beaches: when water drops, pale sandbanks appear on islands and make good swimming and picnic stops.
  7. Night caiman spotting: guided boat trips after dark pick
… read more 👉
  1. Anavilhanas Archipelago channels: the park’s signature sight, a maze of hundreds of low forested islands split by black-water channels that reflect the sky.
  2. Flooded igapó forest: in high water, canoes slip between tree trunks and branches, with the canopy at eye level.
  3. Rio Negro sunsets: the wide, dark river turns glassy at day’s end, and the islands become silhouettes.
  4. Pink river dolphins at Novo Airão: boto dolphins gather near the town’s floating platform, and you can watch them from a short distance.
  5. Howler monkeys and birdlife: you hear the howlers before you see them, while herons, kingfishers and macaws cross the channels.
  6. Sandy river beaches: when water drops, pale sandbanks appear on islands and make good swimming and picnic stops.
  7. Night caiman spotting: guided boat trips after dark pick out reflective eyes along the banks.
The dolphin platform and a late-afternoon channel paddle fit easily into one day.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do near Anavilhanas National Park

Day Tour in President Figueiredo Semi Private

Day Tour in President Figueiredo Semi Private

4.9(210) 10h
From €117
per personViator
A Whole Day in the Jungle

A Whole Day in the Jungle

4.9(169) 12h
From €127
per personViator
8-Hour Amazonas Jungle Treck & Anavilhanas Archipelago

8-Hour Amazonas Jungle Treck & Anavilhanas Archipelago

4.8(135) 8h
From €136
per personViator
Amazon Jungle Experience with Overnight

Amazon Jungle Experience with Overnight

4.9(101) 48h
From €381
per personViator
24-hour transfer from airport to hotel in Manaus

24-hour transfer from airport to hotel in Manaus

5.0(77) 30m
From €15.74
per personViator
Manaus Private City Tour Amazonas Theater and the Hotel Pickup

Manaus Private City Tour Amazonas Theater and the Hotel Pickup

4.9(66)
From €97
per personViator
Private City-tour in the Historic Center of Manaus

Private City-tour in the Historic Center of Manaus

5.0(62) 3h
From €70
per personViator
Package 2 days and 1 night in the waterfalls and the jungle

Package 2 days and 1 night in the waterfalls and the jungle

4.8(64) 48h
From €454
per personViator
Exploring the Caves and the Waterfalls in the Amazon - Full Day

Exploring the Caves and the Waterfalls in the Amazon - Full Day

4.8(53) 8h
From €194
per personViator
Taste of the Amazon Jungle 3D-2N-A Amazon Tapiri Floating Lodge

Taste of the Amazon Jungle 3D-2N-A Amazon Tapiri Floating Lodge

4.9(31) 72h
From €499
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?Seasonal considerations and timing

  • Low water (Sept to Dec): Beaches appear on the islands, trails and igapó forest edges open up, and the dry-season haze is light. Days run 31 to 36°C (88 to 97°F).
  • Rising water (Jan to Mar): Hot and showery, 25 to 33°C (77 to 91°F), with fewer visitors and lower lodge rates.
  • High water (Apr to Jul): Heavy rain, 24 to 31°C (75 to 88°F), and flooded forest suited to canoe paddling. Boat tours cost the same, but Manaus hotels are busiest around July holidays.
Daylight stays near 12 hours all year, so plan boat trips for early morning when the heat is lower.

source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: good for travelingFEBFebruary: fair for travelingMARMarch: fair for travelingAPRApril: fair for travelingMAYMay: good for travelingJUNJune: good for travelingJULJuly: highly recommended for travelingAUGAugust: excellent for travelingSEPSeptember: excellent for travelingOCTOctober: highly recommended for travelingNOVNovember: highly recommended for travelingDECDecember: highly recommended for traveling
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🛏️ Where to stay?Best areas and accommodation options

No lodging exists inside Anavilhanas National Park, and camping is not permitted. Most backpackers sleep in Novo Airão, the small riverside town on the park’s western edge, about 2.5 hours by road from Manaus. Simple pousadas and hostels there cost US$15 to 35 a night and put you close to the boat docks. Manaus is the larger base, with dorm beds from US$10 to 20 and plenty of tour agencies selling day trips and overnight river trips. A few jungle lodges sit on the Rio Negro near the archipelago, usually priced at US$80 to 200 a night with meals and guided outings included. Book the lodges ahead in July and August.
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👛 Costs (as of 19 October 2026)Travel costs and budget guide for Anavilhanas

A realistic daily budget for Anavilhanas National Park is about US$75, mostly spent on boat tours and getting there from Manaus.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Entrance feeUS$0 to 5Usually folded into the boat tour price.
Accommodation (high season)US$15 to 35Pousadas in Novo Airão; Manaus dorms are slightly cheaper.
Guided boat tourUS$30 to 60Half-day Rio Negro tours through the archipelago with a local guide.
Local transportUS$10 to 20Bus or shared van between Manaus and Novo Airão, one way.
Food and suppliesUS$8 to 15Fish plates and buffets by weight in town restaurants.
Total Daily BudgetUS$75Mid-range backpacker day including a tour.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🥾 TrailsBest hikes in Anavilhanas national park

Anavilhanas National Park is mainly explored by water, but short forest walks exist on a few islands and near the park base.
  • Forest walks near the base: Short guided loops of about 1 to 2 hours run through terra firme forest on flat, easy ground, with chances to see monkeys, birds and large trees.
  • Canoe routes: Half-day or full-day paddles cover calm channels and igapó, easy physically but hot and humid, with rain possible any month.
  • Sandbank walks: In low water, you can stroll pale beaches for an hour, flat and soft underfoot.
The park lies across the river from Novo Airão, reached by road from Manaus, … read more 👉
Anavilhanas National Park is mainly explored by water, but short forest walks exist on a few islands and near the park base.
  • Forest walks near the base: Short guided loops of about 1 to 2 hours run through terra firme forest on flat, easy ground, with chances to see monkeys, birds and large trees.
  • Canoe routes: Half-day or full-day paddles cover calm channels and igapó, easy physically but hot and humid, with rain possible any month.
  • Sandbank walks: In low water, you can stroll pale beaches for an hour, flat and soft underfoot.
The park lies across the river from Novo Airão, reached by road from Manaus, then by boat. Public buses run to Novo Airão, and local operators arrange the crossing. Crowds are light apart from weekends, and most visitors stay on the main dolphin and channel circuits. Entry is regulated and usually arranged through the operator, so confirm fees when booking. Bring insect repellent and sun protection.
⚠️ Hiking info can sometimes be outdated or inaccurate. Before you hit the trail, check the latest conditions with locals. If you do spot anything that's off, I'd love to hear from you, so I can update it for fellow travelers.

🛡️ SafetyScams, Hazards, and Annoyances

Anavilhanas is a boat-based park, so the main risks are sun, heat and sudden tropical downpours on open water. Go with a licensed guide, wear a hat and long, light sleeves, and carry at least 2 liters of water per person. Swim only where guides say it’s fine, since piranhas are rarely a problem but stingrays can lurk in shallows. Wear insect repellent for mosquitoes, keep valuables in a dry bag, and don’t feed river dolphins or other wildlife.
Check Country Safety

FAQCommon questions from travelers

Two days is enough for Anavilhanas National Park if you want a boat tour and some time in Novo Airão. A single long day trip from Manaus is possible, but the drive takes about 2.5 hours each way. Staying a night lets you do early-morning paddling in the flooded forest and visit the river dolphins.
Yes, you can reach Anavilhanas National Park without a car, though you need a boat to see it. Buses and shared vans run from Manaus to Novo Airão in roughly 2.5 to 3 hours for about US$10 to 20. From the town docks, local guides run boat tours for roughly US$30 to 60.
Anavilhanas National Park has no large entrance gate, and access is typically through a licensed boat operator whose price covers any park fees. Expect to pay about US$0 to 5 extra at most, depending on the operator. No special hiking permit is needed for a standard day tour from Novo Airão, though independent landings on the islands should be arranged through the park authority, ICMBio.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Brazilian national parks near Anavilhanas

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We 💚 feedbackIs it worth it?

Anavilhanas National Park is best for travelers who enjoy slow river time, birdwatching and quiet paddling more than distance hiking. I would book a local canoe guide for at least one full morning and bring binoculars. Skip it if you need summit views.

✈️ When did I visit Brazil?
Call it good timing or luck, but I was able to celebrate Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro in February 2022, after a round trip in the north and east coast.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Brazil, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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