They are grouped by language and assigned a local guide who speaks English, German, French and Spanish. Activities are decided by consensus. Jungle walks are an early morning favorite, especially for bird fanciers. Groups head off to explore jungle creeks or to visit the nearby Anavilhanas, the world's largest river archipelago. Others fish for piranha.
Lunch is served buffet-style in the lobby, while workers pound away on a new restaurant next door.
The main dish, not surprisingly, is fresh fish tucunare and jaraque, bony but delicious. In a box by the reception desk is another visitor, a 10-foot boa constrictor found by the grounds crew that morning. Santos will release it far away. A diesel generator and satellite dish at the general store provide a link with the outside world. On the way out, there's a mandatory visit to the crafts store.