About Us

The story of Amazon Prime Ecolodge began in 2012, when Capt. Mike Merritt traveled to Brazil on a mission trip to meet missionary Bennie DeMerchant.

At the time, Mike was working as a fishing guide in the Florida Everglades. During his time in Manaus, he experienced the incredible peacock bass fishing of the Amazon.

Bennie DeMerchant had a special connection with the people living in remote Amazon villages. He also loved fishing and used his knowledge of fishing to connect with local communities. He even flew a float plane throughout the Amazon and taught villagers how to make fishing lures from chicken feathers so they could catch peacock bass to help feed their families.

Bennie took Mike in his float plane over the Amazon Rainforest and landed on a remote waterway. There, he had a simple one-room floating cabin tied to the trees, along with a canoe and small motor.

Mike spent the days fishing for peacock bass and the nights sleeping in hammocks. It was a simple experience, but it made a lasting impression.

After spending more than a week in Manaus, Mike returned home and told his wife, Diana, that he wanted a place of his own in the Amazon. He wanted to share the experience he had discovered with his Florida fishing clients and with people from around the world.

Meet Capt. Mike Merritt

Capt. Mike Merritt is the founder of Amazon Prime Ecolodge and a native Floridian.

His connection with wild places started at a very young age. When Mike was four, his family traveled by ship to Australia with hopes of purchasing land north of Queensland where his father wanted to build an animal reserve. The family eventually returned to the United States and settled in Florida.

Not long after, the family moved to Everglades City. Growing up around the Everglades, Mike saw similarities between the wetlands of South Florida and the Amazon. He began dreaming of visiting the Amazon himself.

As an adult, Mike traveled to several countries while doing mission work. When the opportunity finally came to visit Brazil, he followed that long-held dream.

His more than 30 years of experience guiding clients in the Florida Everglades eventually became an important part of the Amazon Prime Ecolodge story. His love of fishing, nature, people, and adventure continues to shape the experience we provide today.

The Story Behind Our Name

The name Amazon Prime Ecolodge came from one of Mike's clients.

While talking with a client about the lodge he owned in the Amazon, Mike mentioned that he was trying to decide what to call it. The client suggested, “Why don't you name it Amazon Prime?”

Mike thought about the idea and later contacted his Brazilian partner, Fabio Abreu, to ask whether he had heard of the name. Fabio had not heard of Amazon Prime at the time.

The name was eventually registered with the Brazilian government. It was simple, memorable, and easy for people to search for when looking for the lodge.

Why We Chose the Rio Urubu

Location is one of the most important parts of the Amazon Prime Ecolodge experience.

We chose the Rio Urubu because of its remote setting, river community, and abundance of natural beauty. We wanted to create an experience where guests could feel connected to the Amazon rather than simply visit it from a distance.

The lodge was originally located on the main river behind one of the many islands. However, we did not own the land where the lodge was located, and eventually the landowner decided that he wanted to use the property.

We began asking local people about land farther up the river. That search led us to approximately 70 acres in a beautiful private cove filled with wildlife.

For us, finding this location was a major part of the story of Amazon Prime Ecolodge. It gave us the privacy, setting, and natural surroundings we wanted for our guests.

A Unique Location Between Two Amazon Ecosystems

Our location on the Rio Urubu provides another important part of the experience.

The lodge sits in an area connected with the dark waters of the Rio Negro watershed. From the lodge, guests can travel by boat toward the Amazon River and experience the gradual change between two different water systems.

As you travel, you can see changes in the surrounding flora and fauna, encounter different birdlife, and pass through villages along the river.

The area also has a natural environment that makes evenings on the lodge deck especially enjoyable. Guests often ask about mosquitoes, and while they are not completely absent, the lodge's location means they are generally light enough that guests can comfortably spend time outside at night.

This combination of remote surroundings, river travel, and access to different ecosystems makes the location an important part of what we offer.

More Than a Typical Amazon Tour

Our goal is not to provide a routine Amazon tour.

We want guests to have a personal experience that fits their interests. Because Amazon Prime Ecolodge is a small lodge, we can customize activities and help guests make the most of their time here.

Some guests come primarily for fishing. Others want to explore the rainforest, take boat trips, experience local culture, watch birds, or simply slow down and enjoy being surrounded by nature.

Our staff and guides are part of the local river community. They share knowledge that has been passed down through generations and help guests experience the Amazon in a more personal way.

We want you to leave feeling that you experienced something genuine—and that you were welcomed as a guest rather than simply treated like another tourist.

Meet Our Local Team

The people behind Amazon Prime Ecolodge are a major part of the experience.

Capt. Mike and his wife Diana own the lodge. Together, they have operated a guide service out of Everglades National Park in South Florida for more than 30 years.

Fabio Abreu, Mike's partner in Brazil, is from Manaus and has more than 20 years of experience in tourism, ecotourism, and fishing tours. He coordinates travel, lodging, food, guides, and tours while helping with communication and special guest needs.

Our manager, Sassa, and his wife, Alana, take care of the lodge throughout the year. Sassa manages daily operations and maintenance and is also one of our experienced guides. Having grown up on the river, he brings firsthand knowledge of the area to every experience.

Alana takes care of cleaning and guest laundry. She is also working toward her teaching certification with the goal of teaching at the community school being built in the area.

Andrea is our full-time cook. She prepares three buffet-style meals each day, makes fresh juices, and creates desserts using local fruits.

Aristolvo is one of our leading guides. His lifelong experience on the river has given him knowledge of the jungle, wildlife, fishing, foraging, building, and traditional skills.

Jonas is one of our fishing guides and is also known for his excellent eyesight, which can be especially useful during ecotours.

Our wider team includes additional local guides, kitchen helpers, cleaning helpers, and other staff as needed.

All of our staff are local river residents. Their knowledge and connection to the area are an important part of the Amazon Prime Ecolodge experience.

Experiences Designed Around You

There is no single way to experience the Amazon.

At Amazon Prime Ecolodge, guests can choose from a variety of activities and experiences. Depending on your interests, your trip may include river tours, dolphin excursions, flooded jungle excursions, jungle trekking, sunrise and sunset tours, nighttime jungle trekking, caiman spotting, birding, and monkey and sloth tours.

For bird enthusiasts, we also offer advanced birding experiences with an ornithologist.

Our Amazon River tour is one of our most popular experiences. Guests can also enjoy stargazing during the new moon cycle, nighttime Red Tail Catfish fishing, and visits to the local community center.

Because we are a small lodge, we can work with guests to customize their experience and make better use of their time in the Amazon.

Our Fishing Heritage

Fishing is an important part of the history of Amazon Prime Ecolodge.

The lodge began as a fishing lodge, and Capt. Mike's experience as a professional guide in the Florida Everglades continues to influence the way we approach Amazon fishing.

The Rio Urubu offers opportunities to catch several species of fish. Guests can pursue five species of Peacock Bass, including the giant Acu Peacock Bass. Other species include Arowana, Apapa, Traira, also known as Wolf Fish, and, on rare occasions, Arapaima.

Fishing typically begins in the morning, from around 7 AM until noon. After lunch and some time to relax, guests can head back out around 2 PM and fish until dusk.

For anglers who want something different, we also offer evening opportunities to pursue Red Tail Catfish.

Whether you are an experienced angler or simply want to experience Amazon fishing, our guides can share their knowledge and help make the experience memorable.

A Floating Jungle Lodge With Modern Comforts

Amazon Prime Ecolodge is a floating jungle lodge constructed by local craftsmen and carpenters.

The lodge's base rests on highly buoyant Assacu tree logs. These logs are a low-density wood that can remain in water for many decades, helping support the floating structure.

Inside, we have five private rooms. Each room includes air conditioning, a private bathroom, and hot water. Four rooms have a double bed and a single bed, while one room has a king-size bed.

The lodge also has a large covered lounge deck with high-volume fans, comfortable seating, and space for up to six hammocks.

Our dining area features a large table with handmade wooden chairs created by a local craftsman. An outside deck and gazebo provide another place to relax, enjoy the night sky, or listen to the Howler Monkeys in the early morning.

Water at the lodge comes from a deep artesian well and has been tested and certified as safe for drinking.

We also provide high-speed internet through Starlink, allowing guests to stay connected when needed while still enjoying the feeling of being deep in the Amazon.

A Taste of the Amazon

Food is another important part of your stay.

All meals at Amazon Prime Ecolodge are served buffet style, combining locally sourced ingredients with traditional Amazonian foods.

Because the nearest grocery supply is about an hour and a half away, careful planning is important for every group. We also use local fruits and, when in season, serve fresh açaí juice.

Guests can experience locally sourced farofa made from cassava flour, including seeing how the process is carried out along the river.

Our cook, Andrea, has been preparing meals for our guests for many years. She also creates desserts using local fruits such as mango, cupuaçu, goiaba, caju, and maracujá.

The result is a dining experience that gives guests another way to experience the flavors of the Amazon.

Safety and Quality Come First

Exploring the Amazon is an adventure, but guest safety remains a priority.

All of our boats have life vests for passengers. Jungle treks are led by experienced guides who know the area, and trails are pre-cut before guests use them.

Our guides know how to identify potential hazards such as Bullet Ants, tarantulas, and snakes and help guests enjoy the jungle while staying safe.

The lodge also maintains a well-stocked first aid kit, a defibrillator, and fire extinguishers in strategic locations.

Our guides are trained to prioritize guest safety and keep a close eye on guests throughout their activities.

We also routinely maintain our boats and motors to support safety and reliability. From accommodation and transportation to food, tours, and personal service, our goal is to provide an experience built around comfort, safety, and quality.

Experiences Our Guests Remember

One of the greatest compliments we receive is when guests choose to return.

One guest, Chad, has visited Amazon Prime Ecolodge seven times. During one trip, he brought his wife and her best friend for a combination of fishing and ecotour experiences.

Chad enjoyed fishing while the women explored the area with their own boats and guides. At the end of their week-long stay, Chad told Mike that the women were very happy with everything they had experienced and had no complaints.

For us, that kind of feedback means a great deal.

It reflects what we try to accomplish every day: giving each guest an experience that fits what they came to the Amazon to enjoy.

Our Vision for the Future

Our vision for Amazon Prime Ecolodge is to create a custom Amazon experience that is difficult to find anywhere else.

We are not trying to become a large tourist hub for the masses. Our size allows us to offer something different: a private, personal, and well-run experience where guests can be selective about what they want to do.

We want Amazon Prime Ecolodge to be known as a destination for people looking for a genuine Amazon adventure combined with comfort, privacy, and personal attention.

It is a place where you can explore, fish, meet local people, relax, and unwind while still having the connectivity you need when necessary.

Most importantly, we want our guests to leave with more than photographs. We want them to leave with memories of the river, the people, the experiences, and the feeling of having truly spent time in the Amazon.

Come Experience the Amazon Your Way

Whether you are dreaming of an Amazon fishing adventure, exploring the rainforest, discovering river life, experiencing local culture, or simply escaping into a remote and peaceful setting, Amazon Prime Ecolodge offers a personal way to experience Brazil's Amazon.

Come stay with us, explore at your own pace, and experience the Amazon from a place that feels less like a tourist destination and more like a home on the river.