The Juma Ópera Boutique Hotel will be opening in Manaus on 2/2/2020

Opposite the Amazon Theater, this new development incorporating former mansions with preservation orders offers a restaurant, bar and a rooftop swimming pool

The Brazilian Amazon is being indicated by the major tourism publications as a destination to be visited in 2020, and a stop in the city of Manaus is an opportunity to visit the region’s popular tourist attractions, such as the Municipal Market and the Rio Negro Palace, which were built in a French style during the state’s years of economic prosperity.

 The rich architectural complex that is the historic center of Manaus will be significantly reinforced from February 2, 2020, when the Juma Opera opens its doors to the public. This boutique hotel comprises two mansions that have preservation orders against them that have been restored and two buildings that have been built in the same style. The hotel overlooks the Amazon Theater, a masterpiece that was inaugurated in 1896 during the Amazon Rubber Boom.

Staying at the Juma Opera is a chance to be surrounded by all this cultural heritage and to enjoy the comfort of superior category accommodation. The ceilings are extra high in certain spaces of the hotel, which has a bar, a restaurant, a rooftop with swimming pool, a fitness center, meeting rooms and events spaces. Roberto Vinograd was the architect responsible for the project, while the hotel’s various ambiances were decorated by Debora Aguiar.

With the careful use of pastel shades, each of the 41 air-conditioned suites has wi-fi, a minibar and a TV, as well as acoustically treated doors and windows. Some also have a bathtub.

Gastronomy promises to be one of the highlights of any stay in the Juma Opera. With its glass and iron domed roof, the Opera restaurant will be the space for enjoying the culinary creations of Chef Sofia Bendelak, who will be responsible for the menus. With refinement and creativity, the cuisine she is proposing will be a combination of regional and international dishes. Among the Amazonian dishes, the highlights will be Duck pastry parcels in a Tucupi velouté sauce; Ceviche of dragon fish, with Amazonian Leite de Tigre and vegetable chips; Fresh fillet of Pirarucu, with a chestnut crust, spicy pacovã banana puree and confit vegetables; and Rump steak with black Tucupi sauce, Brazil nut milk rice and toasted bacon cassava flour.

Among the classic recipes are Oriental lamb chops, with Moroccan couscous; Sirloin steak with rosti potatoes and cassava flour with eggs; and Green vegetables of the forest, with parmesan crisps. The desserts are also delicious and beautifully presented. Options include Textures of Amazonian chocolate; Tapioca mille-feuille with coconut and Dessana ants; and Profiteroles with Amazonian ice cream and warm single-origin chocolate sauce.

 There will be complete integration with the Amazon Theater. In addition to solar panels and built-in wiring to enhance the view of the symbol of the city, there will be background music in the common areas that is associated with it. Partnerships will also be formed with resident musicians for live music performances in the hotel.

 To complete the experience, the service promises to be first rate and really personalized. The employees are among the best in the market and will be under the command of General Manager Rodrigo Dezan Cunha, who has over 20 years-experience in a wide variety of hotel sectors, such as Operations, Food & Beverage and Events. Cunha set up the Unique São Paulo Hotel and the Breezes Buzios Super Clubs and for many years headed up major undertakings, such as the Summerville Beach Resort and Transamérica Ilha de Comandatuba Hotel. He has also been responsible for the reception of authorities and heads of state and for the organization and catering of major events, such as Formula 1 in São Paulo.

 The Juma Opera is located at 481 Rua 10 de Julho. The website www.jumaopera.com.br will go live shortly and will carry this and other important information.

 The hotel belongs to the owners of the Juma Amazon Lodge (www.jumalodge.com.br), a renowned forest hotel that is more than 20 years old, and it will have the same strong concern with sustainability.

Practical biology lesson in the heart of the Amazon

Coming face-to-face with an alligator and putting your hand on an ant hill are part of the adventure at the Juma Amazon Lodge hotel which organizes jungle expeditions with native guides

 Few experiences in life can be as enriching as an immersion in the Amazon Rainforest, one of the planet’s most privileged scenarios in terms of biodiversity. In the company of specialized monitors, going into the forest and experiencing its wildlife up close is an adventure surrounded by teachings and discoveries, even more so for those who live in the hustle and bustle of urban areas.

 The purpose of the Juma Amazon Lodge (www.jumalodge.com.br) is to offer this real experience in Brazil’s Northern Region. For each package in terms of a given number of nights, different tours are included. Children and adults are encouraged to learn about the habits and characteristics of the animals that inhabit the area surrounding this jungle hotel, which is located 100 kilometres from the city of Manaus. Every day, small groups of guests are taken by local guides to real open-air biology classes.

Interaction is stimulated as part of a process of exchange and learning. A fishing trip is not limited to catching the fish, but also includes the chance to taste it at a dinner prepared Amazon style. A night-time activity, watching alligators is a unique expedition, carried out whilst navigating the river. In addition to being observed from a distance, the reptiles are brought into the boat by the guide, so that the tourists can see the animal from up close before it is safely returned to nature.

Juma Amazon Lodge’s monitors, who are natives, show how to have contact with the animals without offering risks to the species, whether in case of observing birds or river dolphins. The richness of its fauna and flora makes the Amazon a kind of pharmacy that the indigenous populations make use of with native savvy. While on a morning walk through the forest, the guest is instructed to put his or her hand on a nest of tapiba ants and then immediately afterwards rub them against the body. When crushed, they release a scent that acts as a natural repellent against other insects. However, it is worth mentioning that there are virtually no mosquitoes in the region, due to the acidity of the water in the rivers.

The days at the Juma Lodge are driven by the spirit of adventure and curiosity, especially that of the children. They often get excited by the visits of the friendly and clever Common Woolly Monkeys. Every day they swap the tree tops for the walkways that connect all of the hotel’s outbuildings, at which time it is possible to get closer to the animals and to record the unusual encounter by taking photos.

Reservations and more information can be obtained from the site www.jumalodge.com.br, or by ringing the phone number (92) 3232-2707 or by sending an e-mail to reservas@jumalodge.com.br.

 About Juma Amazon Lodge

In an area of ​​7,000 hectares, the Juma Amazon Lodge was erected on stilts, which is the same method as used by the Amazon’s riverside population to build their houses. The hotel’s facilities are sheltered by the trees, at a height of 15 meters, which is the maximum level reached by the river in rainy season. In line with the concept of sustainability, the Juma Amazon Lodge makes use of practices such as solar energy and recycling.

Guests can choose from 19 bungalows, all of which have hammocks on the veranda, hot water and fans. Convenience is the highlight of the six units, which have an area of 40.5 m² and face the forest. Near the reception area and close to each other, the Lodge provides a good service for couples with children, the elderly and people with reduced mobility. If the idea is to have greater privacy, the traveller can stay in one of the 12 rooms, which measure 32 m² and overlook the Juma River. For a truly exclusive trip, the 96 m² panoramic bungalow features a king-size bed and a wrap-around balcony, which provides an impressive view.

The Juma Amazon Lodge’s restaurant appeals both to fans of international cuisine as well as those who are looking to experience the Amazon region’s flavours and aromas. The hotel also has a small bar, a hammock area, a pool that uses the water from the river itself and a deck that invites you to make use of the professional telescope to appreciate the sky on the Amazon’s starry nights.

More information can be obtained from the site www.jumalodge.com.br or by ringing the phone number (92) 3232.2707.