Pousada Ilha de Caras Lodge

Ilha de Caras Lodge is a fixed land base for sport fishing on an island inside Lake Balbina — a large reservoir on the Uatumã River, in the municipality of Presidente Figueiredo, Amazonas. The operation targets the Vazzoleri Peacock Bass (Cichla vazzoleri), a species endemic to the Uatumã basin and widely regarded as one of the most aggressive peacock bass in Brazil. Standing dead trees and shallow flooded bays — typical of the dammed lake — provide the classic peacock-bass scenario, while the same water also holds arowana, wolf fish, black piranha and freshwater croaker.

The lodge accommodates up to 18 anglers across 9 double cabins built on wooden stilts and linked by walkways through the palm grove. Each cabin has 12,000-BTU air conditioning, a private bathroom with shower, single box beds, full bed and bath linen, daily housekeeping and Wi-Fi over Starlink. Shared areas include a cable-TV lounge, an open-air dining hall facing the lake and the lodge's own backup generators.

Meals run on a premium all-inclusive plan — breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and finger food, served both at the lodge and at the fishing spots. Beverages include Heineken, Spaten, Amstel and Império beers, Coca-Cola, Guaraná and Baré soft drinks, water and ice, plus caipirinha and caipiroska made with cachaça and vodka. One night during each stay is reserved for the lodge's signature beach barbecue, the 'costelão de chão'.

On the water, platform skiffs powered by 15-HP outboards are run by local native guides. The lodge provides unlimited fuel, drink and snack coolers, landing nets and pliers. Rods, reels, lines, hooks and lures (artificial or live) remain the angler's responsibility — the norm for premium Amazon lodges.

Getting there mixes road and boat: from Eduardo Gomes Airport in Manaus, it's 107 km along BR-174 to Presidente Figueiredo, plus another 70 km to the Rumo Certo community — the boat launch — followed by a 35-minute ride across Lake Balbina to the island. The final boat leg is run by the lodge; the road transfer between Manaus and Rumo Certo is arranged by the guest.

The lodge operates year-round, with 4-, 5- and 6-night packages (3, 4 or 5 full fishing days). The 5-night package is the best seller; the 4-night package sets the entry-level price point. Bookings and questions are handled via the lodge's WhatsApp.