Jaú National Park
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Jaú National Park

Jaú National Park

Vast Amazon rainforest national park protecting blackwater rivers west of Manaus.

Jaú National Park (Parque Nacional do Jaú) is one of the largest protected areas of tropical rainforest in the world, covering more than 2.2 million hectares in the state of Amazonas, about 220 kilometres west of Manaus. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000 as part of the Central Amazon Conservation Complex, recognizing its exceptional biodiversity and near-pristine state.

The park protects a vast expanse of blackwater Amazon forest drained by the Rio Jaú and its tributaries, all flowing into the Rio Negro. The dark, tea-coloured water is rich in tannins and low in nutrients, which keeps it largely free of mosquitoes — a genuine relief for visitors. Caimans are abundant throughout the waterways, with roughly one per kilometre of habitat.

Wildlife here includes jaguars, giant river otters, pink river dolphins (botos), manatees, and hundreds of bird species. The forest itself ranges from dense closed-canopy jungle to more open formations along the floodplains, all of it deeply remote.

Visiting the park requires advance planning. Access is by motorboat from Novo Airão, a small town about 140 kilometres from Manaus via road across the Rio Negro. Overnight stays inside the park mean camping or floating lodges — there are no permanent lodgings within the boundaries.

Guide

Getting There

The gateway to Jaú National Park is Novo Airão, a small river town roughly 140 kilometres from Manaus. From Manaus, cross the Rio Negro by ferry and then continue by road to Novo Airão — the journey takes about three to four hours depending on the ferry connection.

From Novo Airão, access into the park is exclusively by motorboat along the Rio Jaú. Most visitors travel with a licensed tour operator who handles the boat, guides, and campsite logistics. The river journey into the heart of the park takes a full day or more.

Permits are required. IBAMA (Brazil's environmental agency) requires a permit at least five days in advance, so book your tour operator a minimum of seven days before arriving in Manaus. Independent access to the park is not permitted — you must go with an authorized operator.

There are no lodges inside the park boundaries. Accommodation options are either in Novo Airão before the trip, or in jungle camps (tents or hammocks) during the river journey.