The Reserva Natural Palmari was created 25+ years ago, being an independent project on the Brazilian shore of the Javari river, a tributary to the Amazon. Its privileged location holding a well maintained, huge visitors centre, surrounded by pristine primary forests guaranteeing the presence of the highest number of species of plants and animals for the overall region. Through the agreements regarding a fair exchange of knowledge with views to a social and hygienic well-being between us and our neighbouring communities, it has become a well respected and solid destination. Hence, we concentrate our work in pointing to the importance of conserving the eco-system and promoting a safe, friendly, fair and respectful environment for our work-team, guests, volunteers and neighbours.
The Reserva Natural Palmari was created from a dream which initiated in 1985, became a reality and opened its doors to the world in 1998, after 2 decades continuing to promote environmental protection and granting an integral experience by inmersing and teaching the amazonian jungle to the world.
Since our foundation, our relentless commitment to environmental preservation and sustainable practices has shaped us into an icon of responsible tourism, where guests become a part of our ongoing mission to safeguard the vibrant Amazonian biodiversity.
The Palmari Natural Reserve invites you to explore the breathtaking beauty of the Amazonian rainforest, to enjoy every moment immersed in nature’s wonders and to reconnect with your inner self and the vibrant ecosystem around you. We assure you: you will not regret it!
The Reserva Natural Palmarí is proud of its social commitment regarding the neighbouring communities of Sao Pedro do Norte, Palmarí and Santa Rita through the innovative “180 Degrees” social and environmental project based on bi-lateral reciprocity. Under this initiative, we are committed for preserving the environment while supporting the growth and development of these communities on a sustainable and socially respectful basis.
We hire local community members to participate in all the reserve’s needs, thus strengthening the local economy. In addition, we commit for purchasing most of the necessary services and products directly from these communities. As part of this agreement, the communities receive a monthly donation insofar as our shared goals of environmental preservation and sustainable development are met. At the same time, we are dedicated to carrying out native flora and fauna conservation projects, ensuring the protection of the region’s rich biodiversity.
While the communities accept to refrain from certain none ecological, even illegal activities replacing them by sustainable, modern processes and solutions explained, taught and implemented by us, further providing them at no cost with the needed new tools and means to carry them out, we then honour that by donating infrastructure like schools, health stations, aqueducts, eco-toilets and similar.
PAL was born from over a decade of collaboration with communities along the Javari River, where sanitation is not just a technical need, but an urgent and invisible ethical crisis. In the Amazon, open defecation fuels cycles of disease, death, and deepening inequality.
Our solution, EcoPAL, was co-created with communities to meet their specific sanitary, cultural and environmental realities. Using a biodigester, it transforms human waste into clean energy, protects health, fosters autonomy, and advances equity—laying the foundation to close the sanitation gap across the region.
The Reserva Natural Palmari has been a crucial ally, providing lead researcher Ana María Montes with the support and infrastructure needed to build the first EcoPAL and expand the reach of this transformative technology to historically forgotten territories.
The artisan cooperative-shop at the Reserva Natural Palmari visitor center was built for neighbouring indigenous and settler-caboclo communities. It offers authentic and exclusive crafts from the Javari River valley region. The project has improved local family incomes and promoted cooperation among communities. The shop sells a variety of unique products, from traditional wood carvings to bows, arrows, necklaces, and more. This joint effort promotes environmental and cultural diversity preservation, building bonds of friendship and trust among communities. Support them by buying something…
The “Sembrando Selva ©” (Replanting the jungle) project of the Reserva Natural Palmari aims to conserve and educate about the ecosystems of the neotropical jungle, involving nearby communities and visitors. During its first “Yanawará” summer camp and in later camps, 200 native trees were planted and seedbeds were built to encourage reforestation. Beyond its physical work, the project has inspired environmental commitment in participants and aims to continue educating through future activities at the reserve. “Sembrando Selva ©” will ensure the continuity of this initiative and involve more people in preserving the Amazon ecosystem.
Conservation, reproduction, and reforestation of the valuable rosewood (Aniba rosea) tree species through the germination and planting of large quantities of seeds collected from a few adult trees found in the Reserva Natural Palmari. These may be the only remaining individuals of their species in the entire neotropical world, according to tree expert Dr. Pablo Palacios. The goal is to replant them in other regions of the Javari valley and in humid neotropical forests where the species has gone extinct due to over-felling of the trees for their oil, widely used in the perfume industry in the early 19th. century.
After confirming the regular presence of a female harpy eagle at the visitor center of the Reserva Natural Palmari during the 1980s and 90s, we began a 12-year search for its nest. It was finally located by our guide Ilke “Yuqui” Coelho at a moderate distance from said visitor center. The active nest became a highlight attraction for our guests and can be visited under controlled guidance and obeying specific rules. This harpy pair has given us several nesting periods, each resulting in a healthy, strong chick that, after dedicated parental care and teaching, has flown off to seek its future.
This project focuses on the conservation, monitoring, and research of the only two neotropical otter species (Lontra longicaudis and Pteronura brasiliensis) in the Javari River Valley and its main tributaries (Itaquaí, Ituí, Curucá, and Quixito). It actively involves local communities, bridging scientific knowledge with ancestral and traditional wisdom to co-create innovative research and educational programs in local schools. By positioning otters as flagship species for freshwater conservation, the project seeks to shift perceptions—from viewing them as resource competitors to recognizing them as guardians of the aquatic balance that sustains local livelihoods, while also affirming that local and ancestral knowledge is not secondary to science, but fundamental to effective conservation.
Conservation, monitoring, and research on the Amazonian manatee (Trichechus inunguis) in the Javari River valley and its tributaries, initiated by the Brazilian biologist Tatiana Mariucha and her team. This also includes educating local residents using modern scientific knowledge and promoting school programs to help the youth understand the importance of this aquatic mammal and leave behind traditional hunting practices.
At the Reserva Natural Palmarí, volunteers play a crucial role. We operate under the values of respect, safety, fairness and joy, our main goal consisting in providing a positive and complete experience for all our visitors, staff and volunteers. Since many of our visitors do not speak Spanish or Portuguese, volunteers are essential as interpreters and liaisons. Their main role is to create a bridge of communication to ensure that everyone receives accurate information and enjoys an enriching experience. As a volunteer, you will be a valuable link, facilitating an unforgettable experience for our visitors.
Young, dynamic men and women, with an age of at least 18 years, with good knowledge in English as well as good comprehension in either Spanish or Portuguese willing to live an amazing experience during a minimum stay with us of 6 weeks and a maximum of 3 months.
Combined riverine & terrestrial transportation from our outsourced agency in Leticia (Colombia) to our visitors centre at the nature reserve and back; full board and lodging; free “Internet” connectivity; work garment: 2 short-sleeved t-shirts, 2 long-sleeved shirts and rubber boots – all, except one t-shirt that each volunteer may keep as a souvenir must be returned to the administrator of our visitors centre upon finalizing the stay with us.
Please contact our Nicole Antoine-Feill B., either sending an e-mail to nicoleantoine@grupotravesias.net or through “Whatsapp” to the cel-phone number +57-313-8721489 let her know firstly your dates of availability and have the following supportive documents ready: Curriculum vitae including languages and conversation levels, a full body recent photograph, the passport page holding data, info and photograph and a short essay letting us know why you would like to volunteer at the Reserva Natural Palmari.
Step into the lush, green embrace of the amazonian environment through our captivating photo collection. At the Palmari Nature Reserve we bring the wonders of the rainforest to your fingertips, allowing you to witness the breathtaking beauty of the wildlife from the comfort of your own space. Marvel at the kaleidoscope of colors that make up the vibrant flora, fauna, our unique experiences and much more!
