About Amazon Emotions
Amazon Emotions is a Brazil-based ecotourism company dedicated to creating meaningful journeys into the heart of the Amazon.
For nearly three decades, we have been designing experiences that go beyond travel, journeys shaped by deep knowledge of the forest, authentic relationships with local communities, and a long-term commitment to conservation.
We believe that travel can transform not only the traveler, but also the places and people it touches.
A Different Way of Traveling
Our approach is rooted in connection.
Connection with nature.
Connection with culture.
Connection with something greater than ourselves.
Each journey is carefully designed to respect the rhythms of the forest, allowing travelers to experience the Amazon in a genuine and immersive way.
No two itineraries are ever the same.
Our Experiences
Amazon Emotions offers a curated collection of experiences, each designed to reveal a different perspective of the Amazon: Private Rainforest Refuge, Amazon Riverside Lodge, Manakin Riverboat and Zaltana Riverboat.
Nature, Culture & Knowledge
Our journeys are guided by experienced naturalists and enriched by local knowledge.
We work closely with communities, scientists, and conservation initiatives to create experiences that are both inspiring and responsible.
Travel becomes a way to observe, learn, and understand the Amazon as a living system.
Our Commitment
Amazon Emotions is built on a foundation of conservation.
We actively support:
- Scientific research
- Local communities
- Biodiversity protection
Each journey contributes to preserving the forest for future generations.
Amazon Glamping – A Sister Brand of Amazon Emotions
Alongside our expeditions, we operate Amazon Glamping, a registered brand of Amazon Emotions and a pioneering lodging concept in the heart of the rainforest.
Inspired by the nomadic building traditions of indigenous cultures, this experience blends refined comfort with the organic rhythms of nature. It reflects our philosophy of Ephemeral Harmony, a balance where design, simplicity, and sustainability coexist in quiet alignment with the forest.
Created for discerning travelers, Amazon Glamping offers Tented Camps (Pop-Up), a seasonal, nomadic experience available from June to November, set on untouched riverfront beaches.
These temporary camps are thoughtfully designed to provide a rare sense of freedom and immersion, allowing guests to explore the Amazon in exceptional comfort, with every detail tailored to their individual journey.
Experiences are available upon request only.
A Bit of Our History
Our story began with a dream, and a small company called Tropical Tree Climbing.
A few years later, its founder, Vanessa Marino, a passionate nature lover with more than two decades of experience in conservation and tourism, reimagined the project as Amazon Emotions. This new identity reflects a deeper vision: a celebration of sustainability, meaningful exploration, and a lifelong connection with the Amazon.
From the very beginning, Amazon Emotions was created with a purpose that goes beyond offering unique journeys. Our ambition has been not only to operate with the highest cultural and environmental responsibility in the Brazilian Amazon, but also to inspire a broader transformation within the travel industry.
Over the years, we have worked closely with partners, openly sharing both our achievements and our challenges. Vanessa actively participates in international conferences, where she advocates for more conscious and responsible approaches to tourism.
If we are able to inspire partners, peers, and travelers to pursue higher standards of sustainability, then we believe we have fulfilled our most meaningful purpose.
Our philosophy and approach have earned international recognition. National Geographic Travel featured Amazon Emotions as one of seven “offbeat adventures from around the world.”
For us, this recognition goes beyond an award, it reflects the journey of a family that has embraced nature conservation not as a mission, but as a way of life.
Our Guides & Local Team
We believe that exceptional journeys are shaped by the people who guide them.
At Amazon Emotions, our guides and local team play a central role in transforming a memorable trip into a truly meaningful experience. That is why we invest in continuous training, ensuring the highest standards of service, knowledge, and care.
Carefully selected for both their expertise and their human qualities, these professionals embody the spirit of the rainforest. Their presence is genuine, their enthusiasm is natural, and their connection to the territory is deeply rooted.
As naturalists, biologists, and environmental educators, our guides bring depth and perspective to every journey. They share not only knowledge, but also ways of seeing, revealing the complexity of the Amazon’s ecosystems, the richness of its wildlife, and the cultural heritage of its people.
With their guidance, each moment becomes more than an activity.
A walk becomes discovery.
A river crossing becomes awareness.
An encounter becomes connection.
In this way, every guest is invited not only to experience the beauty of the rainforest, but to understand its meaning, and to carry that understanding beyond the journey.
About Our Founder
Early Life and Journey to the Amazon
Vanessa was born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela. She studied graphic design at the Faculty of Fine Arts in Bellas Artes. In 1998, she arrived in Brazil after an extraordinary two-year bus journey with a group of artists and environmental educators. Together, they traveled from Mexico to Tierra del Fuego.
At 19, Vanessa first visited the Amazon rainforest. She joined several photographic expeditions, including one that followed a harpy eagle’s nest on the Jauaperi River. Captivated by the local people, wildlife, and way of life, she decided to stay connected to the region. In 2000, she put down roots in Presidente Figueiredo, building her home in the rainforest and starting her bespoke tourism business.
Adventures and Career Milestones
Vanessa thrives when she is off-road in her 4×4 Toyota, hiking rugged trails, or floating through dark, flower-strewn creeks in the flooded forest with indigenous communities along the Rio Negro. Though her lifestyle carries risks, she believes the jungle is safer than modern cities today.
One of her greatest career challenges was planning the logistics for five expeditions to Pico da Neblina, the highest point in Brazil. The journey required close collaboration with the Yanomami people. Their unique culture, deep connection to nature, and resilience helped the team face the intense and unpredictable conditions of the Amazon.
Recognition and Storytelling
Her work appears frequently in international television documentaries and publications, including National Geographic Travel, Forbes, and Spiegel. She also enjoys writing during quiet moments at her forest home or while navigating the Rio Negro, especially for her blog Beyond the Branches.
Vanessa’s photography emphasizes conservation. Her images enrich the visitor experience through ecotourism and highlight why the world’s attention is drawn to the Amazon. While she owns professional equipment, her nomadic lifestyle often leads her to rely on her iPhone, embracing simplicity and mobility. Some of her work is available on Photoshelter, reflecting her distinctive storytelling style.
Public Speaking and Advocacy
Vanessa is also a passionate public speaker. She focuses on wildlife conservation, community-based tourism, transformational travel, and regenerative tourism. She has presented at major events such as AdventureELEVATE, AdventureNEXT, World Travel Market Latin America, and The New York Times Travel Show.
In her talks, she advocates for travel as a force to protect nature, support communities, and preserve cultural heritage. For her, these values are not only personal convictions, but a shared responsibility.
Most recently, her work was recognized at the 6th Responsible Tourism Awards at WTM Latin America, in the category “Best Initiatives to Address Climate Change and Biodiversity Conservation,” highlighting Amazon Emotions’ commitment to conservation-driven tourism.