About
The Central Amazon Ecological Station, also known as the Estação Ecológica de Anavilhanas, is a strictly protected biological reserve on the Rio Negro in the state of Amazonas, Brazil. Its defining feature is the river archipelago it protects: a scattering of more than 400 islands, which together make up the largest river archipelago in the world.
The reserve is reached through the town of Novo Airão, which serves as the practical gateway for visitors. Note that the station is listed under the name Presidente Figueiredo in the regional records, so it is worth confirming the route and any access arrangements before setting out.
What a visit is like
Because the reserve is strictly protected, a visit is a matter of observing the landscape rather than moving through it freely. The water, the islands and the forest along the banks are the main attractions. Visitors who enjoy quiet river scenery, boat-based exploration and the sense of a large, lightly touched ecosystem will find the setting well suited to them.
Planning your trip
- Getting there: Travel via Novo Airão, the nearest settlement to the reserve.
- Before you go: The station is a protected area, so rules on entry and conduct apply. Contact the station directly on +55-97-3365-1444 for current information.
- Around the area: The Rio Negro region is one of the defining landscapes of the Brazilian Amazon, and time spent here can be combined with other river and forest experiences in the surrounding area.
For travellers drawn to large-scale natural landscapes and a reserve built around its waterways, the Central Amazon Ecological Station offers a focused and unusual destination on the Rio Negro.