Tarzan-like Jungle Cabins Are Used to Lure Tourists to Brazil

A hotel compound hubbed in the heart of Brazil´s Amazonian jungle has set up Tarzan-like cabins on the tree tops. But don´t get fooled by the looks. The huts are equipped with everything required to meet the demands of modern life, including Internet hookup, air conditioning systems, pay-TV and other conveniences.

The Ariau compound, perched on a piece of the jungle about a 15-minute drive from the city of Manaos -capital of the northern state of Amazonas- has soon become a travel destination of choice for foreigners in search of ecotourism at its best.

In addition to modern services in terms of communications, hammocks and alarm systems, the cabins are interconnected by an 8-kilometer-long runway mesh that stands some 20 yards from the ground and weaves its way through tree tops.

Some of the suites are even outfitted with swimming pools and game arcades in an effort to provide guests with some level of intimacy in this jungle environment.

Monkeys peek through the window panes once in a while, and some of them even venture to ask guests for bananas and other treats.

The region´s other hotels are also juggling ways to bring more tourists by tapping into interaction with friendly apes that even stray into the streets of Manaos and mingle with unfazed visitors.

As a free trade zone, Manaos also provides countless sale opportunities of duty-free home appliances and electronic gizmos and gadgets built in Brazil.

Brazilian ecotourism promotes the beauties of the Amazonian region and has garnered a space of its own within the realm of the local travel industry, formerly dominated in an exclusive fashion by such heavyweights as Rio de Janeiro and Salvador de Bahia.