Brazil's Northern Region
The Ultimate Brazil Travel Guide: Manaus
The gateway to the Amazon jungle.
Manaus, the capital of the state of Amazonas, is the main gateway to the Amazon Rainforest and an important economic and cultural hub in northern Brazil. Manaus features landmarks such as the ornate Teatro Amazonas opera house. It is also close to the Meeting of Waters, where the Rio Negro and Solimões rivers flow side by side without mixing. From Manaus, visitors can embark on eco-tours into the Amazon for wildlife spotting, birdwatching, and and even swimming with the pink river dolphins. Other activities include Amazon river cruises, and trekking in the Amazon Rainforest.
Top 10 Things to See & Do in Manaus
Visit Teatro Amazonas: The opera house was completed in 1896 during the rubber boom. It features Renaissance-style architecture with imported materials from Europe. Guided tours are available to explore the interior and learn about its history.
Explore the Meeting of the Waters: Observe where the dark Rio Negro meets the sandy-coloured Amazon River. The two rivers run side by side without mixing for several kilometres due to differences in temperature, speed and density. Boat tours depart from Manaus to see this phenomenon.
Tour the Museu do Seringal Vila Paraíso: This open-air museum is located on the outskirts of Manaus. It recreates a rubber plantation from the early 20th century. Visitors see traditional houses, rubber tapping equipment and learn about the history of the Amazon rubber industry.
See wildlife at Bosque da Ciência: Located inside the INPA (National Institute of Amazonian Research), the park contains a zoo and research centre. It is home to native species including monkeys, jaguars, snakes and birds. The site focuses on conservation and environmental education.
Take a boat tour of the Rio Negro: Several tour operators offer trips on the Rio Negro, including visits to indigenous communities, jungle lodges and blackwater river ecosystems. Tours vary from a few hours to multiple days.
Visit the Adolpho Lisboa Municipal Market: Built in 1883, the market is a replica of Les Halles in Paris. It sells Amazonian fish, fruits, spices and handicrafts.
Walk through the Historic Centre of Manaus: The area contains colonial-era buildings, churches and public squares. Points of interest include the Palacio Rio Negro, Church of Saint Sebastian, and the Manaus City Hall.
Explore the Museu Amazônico: Located near the port, this museum displays Amazonian artefacts, indigenous crafts and natural history exhibits.
Visit Ponta Negra Beach: A popular urban beach on the banks of the Rio Negro. The area has a walking promenade, food stalls, and other recreational facilities. It is a popular spot to relax and watch sunsets.
Take a day-trip to the Anavilhanas Archipelago: One of the world’s largest river archipelagos, located about 100 km from Manaus. Here you can explore forest trails, see wildlife, and kayak between islands. Guided tours are recommended.
How long to spend in Manaus
For Manaus city itself, a visit of 1-2 days is enough to see the city's main attractions. This allows time for Teatro Amazonas and the Mercado Municipal. If you want to travel deeper into the surrounding Amazon Jungle, you should plan to spend at least another 3 to 5 days to stay at a jungle lodge or eco-resort, from which you can take trips to explore the rainforest.
Where to stay in Manaus
There are several areas to stay in Manaus, including Centro, Ponta Negra and Adrianópolis. Ponta Negra is considered one of the safest areas, with hotels, restaurants and access to the Rio Negro riverfront. Centro has budget options and access to markets and the port but requires caution, especially at night. Adrianópolis is a more residential and secure area with shopping centres and mid-range hotels.
Find cheap accommodation for your stay in Manaus, or check out my personal recommendations below:
Hotels
Hotel Villa Amazônia - a luxury hotel with outdoor pool in a garden setting (availability)
Manaus Hotéis Millennium - a more budget friendly hotel with luxury amenities (availability)
Boutique Hotels & Apartments
Juma Ópera Boutique Hotel & Spa - guesthouse with rooftop pool overlooking the opera (availability)
Tropical Executive Hotel - private apartments overlooking the Rio Negra (availability)
Backpacker Hostels
Angatu Hostel - an upscale hostel with a swimming pool (availability)
Local Hostel - a backpackers hostel with common areas and pool (availability)
Where is Manaus, Brazil
Closest airport
Manaus International Airport – Eduardo Gomes (MAO)
Main bus terminal
Terminal Rodoviário de Manaus
Porto de Manaus
Main ports
How to get to Manaus
How to get to Manaus: Busses and flights
Manaus cannot be reached by road from most locations in Brazil, as it is situated on the northern side of the Amazon River. Manaus is connected with direct international flights from Miami, Bogota, and Panama City, as well as from most major Brazilian cities including Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, and Fortaleza. It can also be reached by boat along the Amazon river from Belém or Leticia, Colombia.
See all bus connections and find cheap tickets to Manaus
How to get to Manaus from Colombia (Leticia/Tabatinga) by Boat
Travelling to Manaus by boat from the Amazon region in Colombia, there are two options: a slow boat, that takes 4 days/3 nights travelling downstream to reach Terminal do Ajato in Manaus, and runs five days per week. Note that this trip would take longer in reverse, travelling upstream. There is a hammock deck for sleeping and food is often included in the ticket price, depending on the chosen boat company.
The food served on board varies by boat, but expect it to be very basic. It may be bread for breakfast, and rice or pasta with meat for dinner. It is recommended to bring some fruit and vegetables for the journey.
If you are short on time, there is also a fast boat from Colombia to Manaus. The fast boat takes around 36 hours, but is more expensive than the slow boat.
How to get to Manaus from Belem (via Santarem)
Another opportunity to travel by boat is to take the slow boat to Manaus from Belem or Santarem, with a boat departing twice per week. The trip from Belem to Manaus takes around 6 days upstream: 2.5 days from Belem to Santarem, and a further 3 days from Santarem to Manaus. Note, the trip from Manaus to Belem, downstream, is faster and takes around 4 days.
Top tours near Manaus
How to get around Manaus
Getting around Manaus is relatively straightforward, with several transportation options available. Public busses are available in the metropolitan area, as well as connecting more remote towns in the jungle. The latest routes and timetables can be found on Google Maps by searching for directions.
Ride-sharing services like 99 and Uber are also widely available and inexpensive, are a safer way to travel after dark.
Is Manaus safe for tourists
Like any big city, there are safer and more dangerous areas, but the majority of tourists who stay in the tourist areas and take some simple precautions will not have problems. Sticking to well-known areas, planning your movements in advance, and being aware of your surroundings will go a long way in avoiding trouble.
In Manaus, areas like Adrianópolis, Ponta Negra, and parts of the city centre during the day are considered safer and are popular with tourists for their hotels, restaurants, and access to riverfront attractions. However, some areas that also see visitors require extra caution, including parts of the city centre at night, Compensa, and some peripheral neighbourhoods.
These are my personal recommendations for ways you can stay safe in Manaus:
Book accommodation in the recommended area for visitors
Use Uber or other reputable rideshare services with a credit card linked to your account, as it avoids handling cash and provides a digital record of your trip
Avoid walking at night, particularly in quieter neighbourhoods or streets with little lighting
Keep your phone, jewellery, and other valuables out of sight when in public or travelling on public transport
Be cautious when withdrawing cash, choose ATMs located inside banks or shopping centres
If in doubt, ask your hotel or host for up-to-date local advice on places to avoid
Travel insurance for Manaus
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 Rainforest, it is especially important to have travel insurance that covers medical emergencies and evacuation, as the remote location 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.
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