travel

FLIGHTS: The best route to get to Brazil and Alta Floresta is to fly via Sao Paolo to Cuiaba to Alta Floresta. It is easiest and most economical to arrange your ticket roundtrip to Cuiaba, then we will provide the ticket for the Cuiaba-Alta Floresta leg on a domestic carrier. These domestic flights are only available Monday,Wednesday and Friday. Make sure you allow for at least a 3 hour layover in Sao Paolo as you have to claim your bags to go through customs there, and then re-check in for the remainder of your flight. The weight limit for bags on the major carriers is 70 lbs. per bag, You may want to double-check this with the airlines when making your reservations as things sometimes change.

PASSPORTS: A valid passport is required for all visitors to Brazil. Your passport cannot expire within three months of your entrance into Brazil. Also, photocopy the first two pages of your passport and pack in a separate bag. This will help if something happens to your passport.

BRAZILIAN VISA: Brazil requires a tourist visa for all U.S. citizens. To obtain a visa, you must send your valid passport and visa application to the Brazilian Consulate General at least 4 weeks prior to departure. We will provide you with the appropriate application and information at the time of booking. When you arrive into Brazil, you will fill out an entry/exit card that will be stamped as you go through customs. Make sure to keep this with your passport as it is required for you to depart from Brazil. There is a hefty fine if you do not have this upon departure.

MONEY: The Brazilian money is called Real. It is helpful to bring a good amount of US dollars with you for emergencies as most places will take them, usually at a less favorable exchange rate. You can also exchange them at the airport in Sao Paolo. You will get a better exchange rate if you withdraw cash directly from an ATM machine. There is one located at the airport in Cuiaba, and there are also several in Alta Floresta. It is best to prepare for your trip with access to plenty of cash since many places do not take credit cards.

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS: Yellow fever is the only required immunization for visitors to the Amazon. It is easy to get with a prescription from your doctor, or by going to a travel clinic or health department. The Center for Disease Control (www.cdc.gov) also recommends taking some form of malaria medication while you are traveling in the area, although the Brazilian government does not. Because of the remote location of the lodge, make sure that you bring any required medications and basic first aid supplies.

FOOD AND DRINK: The lodge has taken special precautions to make sure that the food is prepared properly and safely. The rule of thumb for people traveling to this area from the U.S. is if it isn't peeled or cooked, you shouldn't eat it. This is a good precaution to take since our digestive systems are not used to many of the agricultural practices in the area. Also, of equal importance, do not drink the water! The lodge provides ample amounts of bottled water for drinking, brushing your teeth, etc. Make sure that you use this information wisely, it will save you a lot of worry.

TRAVEL INSURANCE: We strongly recommend travel insurance for your trip to Brazil. We have taken great precautions in providing a trip that is safe and rewarding. In the event that something unexpected were to happen, it would be wise to have prepared in advance by purchasing travel insurance. Emergency evacuation insurance is available for minimal coverage, and complete travel insurance is available for providing help with lost baggage, changed flights, etc. We will provide you will the information at the time of booking.

Click here to see a map of Brazil and the Amazon.