Brazil's Northern Region
The Ultimate Brazil Travel Guide: Amazon Rainforest
Embark on a thrilling adventure into the heart of the Brazilian Amazon, where unparalleled biodiversity and untouched wilderness await.
The Amazon Rainforest spans across nine South American countries, with the majority located in Brazil. Approximately 60 percent of Brazil’s total landmass is covered by this rainforest, making it the largest portion of the Amazon Basin. The region contains the highest level of biodiversity on the planet, with estimates of over 40,000 plant species, 1,300 bird species, 430 mammal species, 1,000 amphibian species, and around 2.5 million insect species. The rainforest is also home to hundreds of indigenous tribes, some of which remain uncontacted, each with distinct languages, cultures, and traditional knowledge of the forest.
Tourist access to the Brazilian Amazon is typically through major gateway cities such as Manaus in the state of Amazonas and Santarém in the state of Pará. These cities provide connections to river transport, flights, and guided tours into the rainforest. A range of eco-tourism activities are available, including multi-day river cruises on the Amazon River, jungle lodges that offer guided hikes, and canopy tours that allow visitors to observe wildlife in their natural habitat. Popular excursions often focus on birdwatching, piranha fishing, visits to local communities, and night-time wildlife spotting.
Travel to the Brazilian Amazon requires preparation due to the remote nature of the rainforest. Visitors should consider vaccinations, weather-appropriate gear, and travel insurance. The dry season from July to December is generally preferred for overland trekking and wildlife viewing, while the wet season from January to June allows for deeper river navigation and exploration of flooded forests. Sustainable tourism operators in the region aim to balance visitor interest with environmental conservation and support for local communities.
Top 10 Things to See & Do in the Brazilian Amazon Rainforest
Take a River Cruise: Travel along the Amazon River and its tributaries by boat to observe riverine ecosystems and communities. Options include everything from luxury day cruises, to multi-day journeys on the public slow boat from Manaus to Santarém or Belém.
Stay in a Jungle Lodge: Lodges offer the opportunity to really immerse yourself in the jungle. They offer structured experiences including guided treks, boat trips, cultural activities, and night excursions. Accommodation ranges from basic to more developed facilities. Many are located along the Rio Negro or in protected areas such as the Mamirauá Reserve.
Go Wildlife Watching: The region is home to monkeys, jaguars, pink river dolphins, sloths, caimans and hundreds of bird species. Specialist guides and lodges offer focused tours for wildlife observation. Key locations include the Mamirauá Reserve, Jaú National Park and Anavilhanas Archipelago. The dry season offers better visibility for birdwatching.
Go Jungle Trekking: Guided treks through the rainforest provide the chance to observe native plant species, insects, birds, and if you're lucky sometimes the harder to spot larger mammals. Some tours include survival tricks and medicinal plants. Night hikes are also offered to see nocturnal animals active after dark.
Canoeing through Flooded Forests: Paddle through igapó (flooded forests) or small tributaries in a canoe or kayak. This low-impact method allows close observation of aquatic plants, birds and tree-dwelling animals. Canoeing is usually offered from jungle lodges or as part of river-based tours.
Go Fishing: Fishing for piranhas and other Amazonian fish such as tucunaré (peacock bass) is a common activity. Equipment is usually provided by guides or lodges, and often you will be allowed to cook and eat what you catch.
Visit Amazonian Beaches: In the dry season (roughly August to December), river levels drop and sandbanks emerge, creating temporary freshwater beaches. Ilha do Amor is one of the most famous beaches in Alter do Chão, located near Santarém. Other popular beaches include include Ponta Negra and Praia do Tupé near Manaus.
Explore the Waterfalls of Presidente Figueiredo: Located about 100 kilometres north of Manaus, this area has dozens of stunning waterfalls and caves to explore. Many are accessible by short forest trails. Popular spots include Cachoeira de Iracema, Cachoeira do Mutum, and Gruta Refúgio do Maroaga.
Visit Indigenous and Riverside Communities: Guided tours to traditional Amazonian communities provide insight into daily life, food, craftsmanship, and traditional forest knowledge. Visits are usually coordinated with local residents (see my note on visiting indigenous communities under Things to Know Before You Go).
See the Meeting of the Waters: Near Manaus, the dark Rio Negro and sandy-coloured Solimões River flow side by side without mixing for several kilometres. This phenomenon is best seen by boat, with tours departing from Manaus.
How many days to spend in the Brazilian Amazon Rainforest?
How long to spend in the Brazilian Amazon really depends greatly on the activities you would like to do, and how deeply you want to explore the jungle. Depending on your chosen stops, I recommend spending a minimum of:
1 day to explore the city of Manaus
3 nights to stay in a jungle lodge
1 day to explore Presidente Figueiredo
1 day to explore Alter do Chao
At least 5 days to take the slow boat from Manaus to Belem
Where to stay in the Brazilian Amazon
In the Brazilian Amazon, accommodation options range from eco‑lodges and jungle resorts that immerse visitors in nature to urban hotels in cities like Manaus, Santarem and Belém, providing comfort with modern amenities.
Aside from the jungle's three cities or remote eco-lodges, an option in between is to stay in one of the Amazon's smaller towns. Alter do Chão, a riverside village near Santarém on the Rio Tapajós, offers stays in pousadas and small hotels with access to freshwater beaches, excursions to Ilha do Amor, canoe tours, and rainforest treks. Novo Airão, located upriver from Manaus near the Anavilhanas Archipelago, features lodges such as the Mirante do Gavião Amazon Lodge and other guesthouses suitable for wildlife tours, pink dolphin spotting and forest exploration
For those who want to explore waterfalls and caves in the rainforest, staying in Presidente Figueiredo is a great option. North of Manaus, the town provides access to numerous waterfalls, caves and rainforest trails with a range of guesthouses, lodges and hotels available.
Find cheap accommodation for your trip to the Amazon:
Find cheap accommodation in Manaus
Find cheap accommodation in Novo Airao
Find cheap accommodation in Santarem
Find cheap accommodation in Belem
Parque Nacional de Anavilhanas - Novo Airão, Brazil
Where is the Amazon Rainforest, Brazil
Quick Facts about the Amazon Rainforest
Closest airport
Eduardo Gomes International Airport Manaus (MAO)
Santarém International Airport - Maestro Wilson Fonseca (STM)
Belem Val de Cans International Airport (BEL)
Main bus terminal
Terminal Rodoviário de Manaus- Terminal Rodoviário de Santarém
The Port of Manaus- The Port of Santarém- Porto de Belém
Main ports
The Port of Manaus
The Port of Santarém
Porto de Belém
How to get to the Brazilian Amazon Rainforest
To reach the Amazon jungle in Brazil, you can begin your journey by flying into one of the three major gateway cities: Manaus, Belem, or Santarem, each of which has an international airport. These cities are situated along the Amazon River:
Manaus is the largest city in the Amazon Rainforest region, located near the confluence of the Negro and Solimões Rivers.
Santarém is situated between Manaus and Belem, at the meeting point of the Tapajós and Amazon Rivers.
Belém lies at the mouth of the Amazon River on Brazil’s north coast, where the river empties into the Atlantic Ocean.
Visiting the Amazon from Manaus
From Manaus, you can access the jungle via boat or smaller regional flights to various lodges and eco-resorts situated along the Amazon River and its tributaries. Alternatively, river cruises departing from Manaus offer a unique way to explore the rainforest. You can also take a bus from Manaus to reach more remote villages, before changing to a boat.
Visiting the Amazon from Santarem
In Santarem, located between Manaus and Belem, you can explore the Amazon by taking boat trips to nearby jungle areas and visiting the Tapajós National Forest. Santarém also serves as a gateway to the meeting of the Tapajós and Amazon Rivers.
Visiting the Amazon from Belem
If you start your Amazon adventure in Belem, located at the Amazon River's mouth, you can also take riverboats to travel upstream into the heart of the Amazon. However, remember that travelling upstream takes considerably more time.
Top tours in the Amazon
How to get around the Amazon Rainforest
Getting around the Amazon Rainforest in Brazil requires a mix of transportation methods due to the region’s dense jungle and vast river systems. Manaus is the primary entry point for many visitors, though it is not accessible by bus from other parts of Brazil. Travelers typically arrive in Manaus by air or riverboat. Once there, you can explore the surrounding areas using local buses or boats. While Manaus has a network of roads connecting to nearby towns and communities, the most extensive and reliable transportation system in the region is by river, with boats connecting Manaus to smaller towns like Parintins, Tefé, and Barcelos. Riverboats provide a unique and immersive way to explore the rainforest, and private speedboats can take you even deeper into remote areas.
There are many possible villages to visit from Manaus. One option is Novo Airao, a sleepy village located west of Manaus. It is accessible by bus, taking a little over 4 hours, and running twice per day, or on an overnight boat. It is a great option for those wishing to see the river dolphins, take boat tours, and offers cheaper tour options than Manaus.
For those who love waterfalls, Presidente Figueiredo is a a village located north of Manaus, home to a number of magnificent caves and waterfalls.
Santarem, another significant Amazonian city, also serves as a hub for travelers. Like Manaus, Santarem has a bus station that connects to nearby towns such as Alter do Chão, a popular destination known for its beautiful river beaches.
Alter do Chao is a hidden gem located one hour drive from Santarem, and it is possible to reach it by public bus for R$5. The bus departs from Avenida Rui Barbosa in front of Paroquia Sao Sebastiao (map). Ilha do Amor, a popular river beach, can be reached by canoe in 5 minutes from Alter do Chao.
In Santarem, as in much of the Amazon, boats are essential for traveling to more remote areas or for exploring the region's waterways. Ferries and smaller boats connect Santarem to nearby villages and other riverside communities. Whether using buses for short distances or boats for longer journeys, Santarem provides a blend of land and water transportation options to navigate the unique landscape of the Amazon.
Things to Know Before You Go to the Amazon Jungle
Vaccinations & Health Precautions when visiting the Amazon
Yellow Fever Vaccine: Strongly recommended for travelers to the Amazon. Brazil is a yellow fever-endemic area.
Malaria Prevention: Bring anti-malarial medication (e.g., doxycycline, mefloquine). Use mosquito repellent (containing DEET) and wear long sleeves, especially during dawn and dusk.
Other Vaccines: Check for Hepatitis A, Typhoid, and Rabies vaccines, depending on your activities and length of stay.
Water Safety: Avoid drinking tap water. Stick to bottled water and avoid ice made from tap water.
Traveler’s Diarrhea: Carry oral rehydration salts and medication like loperamide for emergencies.
Travel insurance for a trip to the Amazon Rainforest
Travel insurance is not just a nice-to-have, it is an important safety-net that can prevent a stressful incident from turning into a costly and time-consuming disaster. The reality is that unexpected events can happen on any trip. Even something as simple as missing a connecting flight can lead to unexpected accommodation and transport costs. If you become unwell, medical bills in another country can quickly become expensive. Without insurance, you have to handle all of this on your own in an unfamiliar environment, possibly in a language you do not speak.
I have personally relied on travel insurance multiple times, including when I had belongings stolen in Europe, fell sick while travelling in Asia, and had flights cancelled. In each case, the support I received meant I could focus on solving the problem instead of worrying about costs.
When travelling to the Amazon, it is especially important to have travel insurance that covers medical emergencies and evacuation, as the city’s remote location and surrounding rainforest can make access to specialised care more difficult.
For a small daily cost, you can be covered for a wide range of scenarios, from theft to delayed flights and medical emergencies. Having one phone number to call and a company that deals with the problem for you is worth far more than the price of the policy. I personally use Safety Wing, and I recommend them to friends, family, and anyone travelling internationally. You can get a quote here.
When is the Best Time to visit the Amazon
Dry Season (June to November): Fewer mosquitoes, easier hiking, and more wildlife spotting opportunities. Water levels are lower, which makes exploring trails easier. River beaches can be visited during the dry season when the water level is lower.
Rainy Season (December to May): Flooded forest areas offer better boat access to remote places and wildlife, but there’s heavy rainfall, higher humidity, and more mosquitoes.
Hot and Humid Climate: Expect consistently warm temperatures of 25°C–32°C (77°F–90°F) with very high humidity.
Parintins Folklore Festival: If you're lucky enough to travel to the Amazon during the Parintins Folklore Festival (O Festival Folclórico de Parintins) in June, this is a unique opportunity to learn about indigenous culture and tradition.
What to pack for your trip to the Amazon
Light, Breathable Clothing: Choose long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and lightweight, moisture-wicking fabrics to protect against insects and humidity.
Waterproof Gear: A rain jacket or poncho and waterproof bag for electronics (especially in the rainy season).
Hiking Boots: Sturdy, waterproof boots with good ankle support for walking on muddy or uneven terrain.
Hat & Sunglasses: For protection against intense sun, even in shaded jungle areas.
Bug Repellent: Bring strong insect repellent (at least 30% DEET or Picaridin) to combat mosquitoes and other insects.
Personal First Aid Kit: Include band-aids, antiseptic, medications for cuts, burns, and stings, and anti-diarrheal medicine.
Cash: Always carry some cash for small expenses, tips, or markets in rural areas. ATMs are scarce in the jungle, so withdraw enough in larger cities like Manaus.
Wildlife & Safety Tips for visiting the Amazon
Respect Wildlife: Avoid approaching or touching wild animals; many can be dangerous or carry diseases.
Wear High Boots: Protection against snakes and other ground-dwelling animals and insects.
Insects: The number of insects you'll encounter depends on the season and your specific destination. Be prepared for encounters with mosquitoes, spiders, ants, and more. Bring plenty of mosquito repellent and ideally wear light well-covered clothing. Consider wearing permethrin-treated clothing for added protection.
Stay with a Guide: Always travel with an experienced guide who knows the terrain, wildlife, and safety protocols.
Visiting indigenous communities
Guided visits to traditional Amazonian communities can offer insight into daily life, subsistence practices, food preparation, craftsmanship and the use of forest resources. Riverside communities (ribeirinhos) often welcome visitors to show local customs, while some Indigenous communities permit limited access through structured partnerships with tour operators.
Be cautious when booking these tours. Many so-called “traditional” villages are staged environments created solely for tourism and may not reflect real community life. Some groups are presented as Indigenous but have no cultural continuity or recognised ties to Indigenous organisations. In contrast, many authentic Indigenous communities restrict or prohibit tourism to protect cultural integrity and land rights.
Choose operators who work directly with local associations, have transparent agreements with communities, and focus on cultural respect and education rather than performance or spectacle. Where possible, seek out experiences that contribute to community-led initiatives or sustainable economic projects.
Communications & Connectivity in the Amazon
Limited Cell Service: In remote areas of the Amazon, cell phone reception is unreliable or non-existent.
Wi-Fi: Some eco-lodges and hotels offer Wi-Fi, but speeds can be slow, and it may not be available in all locations.
Additional Tips for a trip to the Amazon
Amazonian Cuisine: Fresh fish (like pirarucu and tambaqui), tropical fruits, and manioc are staples. Be adventurous, but ensure food is cooked thoroughly.
Respect Indigenous Communities: If visiting indigenous tribes, follow the guidance of your guide, ask for permission before taking photos, and learn about their customs.
Responsible Tourism: Avoid contributing to pollution by minimizing waste, using biodegradable products, and following eco-friendly travel practices.
Environmental Regulations: Respect the protected status of many areas. Do not remove plants, animals, or artifacts from the forest.
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