search
web directory
news
travel
maps
forums
free voip
chat irc
games
video
live tv
add site

Manaus

From Wikitravel

Contents

• Understand
• [+] Get in
  • By plane
  • By boat
  • By bus
• See
• Do
• Eat
• Drink
• [+] Sleep
  • Budget
  • Mid-range
  • Splurge
• Stay healthy
• Stay safe
• Get out

Manaus is a Brazilian city of about 1.5 million, located on the Rio Negro a few miles before it meets the Rio Solimões to form the Amazon River proper. The two rivers flow side by side for many miles, different in color, mixing in eddies: the "Meeting of the Waters."

[edit] Understand

Manaus was once the world center of rubber production and became very wealthy. The wealth of the primeval forest becomes visible first of all in the architecture of the city. The city enriched and the rubber barons afforded the biggest luxury from Europe, a copy the Grand Opera de Paris - the Teatro Amazonas. Other monuments from this epoch are the Mercado Municipal, a copy of the famous market halls Les Halles in Paris, and the arts center Rio Palacio Negro, located among fascinating Portuguese facades. Today Manaus is a foreign trade zone. Foreign enterprises must pay here no import duties, what guarantees a certain income for the city and the region. Electronics, wood industry and oil refineries have settled in the outskirts in industrial areas. The harbour is the most important trading center for the care of the city with regional, national and international products.

The city is pleasant and friendly, although quite hot, and is still a major port, and a good starting point for river tours.

The Rio Negro (northern) branch of the Amazon is the color of strong tea, peaty brown and its comparative acidity means few mosquitoes. At Manaus the Amazon rises and falls almost twenty meters between seasons. In May and June it's at its peak, full and very wide, spreading way out into the trees. In November and December it's low; still massive but with sandban

[edit] Get in

[edit] By plane

Manaus is about three hours by air from São Paulo or Rio de Janeiro. The Brazilian airline TAM also flies once daily direct Miami - Manaus which takes less than 5 hours. Copa Airlines also flies to Miami-Manaus by way of Panama. There are also flights from London and many other South American capitals. Manaus also has budget flights from Fortaleza and Cayenes (French Guiana) with TAF.

[edit] By boat

Manaus is a major destination for boats on the Amazon River. From Belém on the Atlantic Coast, it takes about five days. Boats go to Porto Velho two-three times per week. Tabatinga on the border with Colombia can also be reached by boat from Manaus, with connections further on to Iquitos in Peru.

Individual boat or canoe tours nearby Manaus

[edit] By bus

Due to road conditions, there is very little (if any) long-distance bus service originating from major cities in Brazil. There are daily buses to Boa Vista in the north and to destinations in Venezuela. The bus from Caracas in Venezula takes about 36 hours, but it is air-conditioned, has comfortable reclining seats and a toilet.

[edit] See

Opera House (Teatro Amazonas). n/n Praça São Sebastião, Center, +55 92 3622-1880. Everyday, starting time of shows may vary. The Opera House was built during the heyday of rubber trade, using materials from all over the world, and was once visited by all the most famous opera divas and maestros. Regular guided tours in English. There are frequent free performances; be sure to arrive at least an hour in advance to secure a seat. Prices vary.
Mercado Municipal. n/n Rua dos Barés, +55 92 3234-8441. Every day, 8AM-10PM. The city's main market is modeled after the Les Halles market in Paris.
Natural Science Museum (Museu de Ciencias Naturais da Amazônia). n/n Estrada Belem , Colonia Cachoeria Grande. Few locals visit this museum, know about it, or would even want to, considering that it's basically critters they'd find (almost) in their backyard. For visitors, though, it's a chance to see a live pirarucu and other fauna (mostly preserved) of the region. The museum was constructed single-handedly by a Japanese entomologist (specializing in butterflies) with his own money and resources. It's out of the way and about half an hour by taxi. The nearby INPA is a preserve and research center with birds and other wildlife.
Rio Negro Palace. 1546 Av. 7 de Setembro , +55 92 3232-4450. Call for information on attractions. The Rio Negro Palace was built by German farmers in the "golden age". Nowadays it's a cultural center and theater. It's one of the city's postcards. Prices vary.
Ponta Negra Beach it's a nice spot, several bars and restaurants.
Paricatuba Waterfall is located on the right bank of the Negro River, along a small tributary, is formed by sedimentary rocks, surrounded by abundant vegetation. Access is by boat. The best time to visit is from August to February.
Love Cascade is located in the Guedes bayou, with cold and crystal clear water, is accessible only by boat and, then, hiking through the Forest.

[edit] Do

River tours. If you take a river tour, go up the Rio Negro. From a three-night river boat trip from Manaus up the Rio Negro with a guide, you can expect to see some wildlife and visit some of the forest remnants, but two weeks or more are needed to reach untouched areas. Small two-story river boats carry five to ten people, sleeping in hammocks on the upper deck. Large boats carrying hundreds ply the river too, but the big boats don't stop between ports. Some river tour companies:

Amazon Eco Tour [1]. They organize customized boat trip around the river in the Amazon region. They organize all the trip according to your preferences. The areas where normally the go to ( by boat) - Anavilhanas Archipelago, Jaú Park,Janauary Ecological Park, Novo Airão,Barcelos. They also have a special option of tour called: Tree Climbing, is amazing, taking a boat trip deep the jungle, a specialized guide , with profesional equipament,by TCI - Inernational, guides you in the forest looking for big trees, where we can climb and do a special safari in the tree. You will be climbing in a centenary tree that will range from 100 to 200 feet tall. At the tree top, there will be a cordura “Treeboat©” waiting for you to rest, relax, and take in the peace of the canopy. A “Treeboat©” is a heavy-duty cordura hammock specially designed for tree top camping, rated to carry thousands of pounds. It is also equipped with a zippered mosquito net and a rain cover (if needed). For this adventure there is no need of prior climbing experience. The effort of tree climbing is compared to hiking with a day pack. You are set in a specially designed Tree Climbing harness, that will be adjusted for your personal size, to better suit you. Security is a priority!
Amazon Mystery Tours [2]. The only tour company to offer ecotour kayak trips deep into the Amazon jungle. They organize and conduct kayaking expeditions in remote areas where you will see pristine forest off the beaten tracks and be completely removed from civilization. Amazon Mystery Tours offers trips from 3-10 days long. They follow the "leave no trace" ecotourism creed. They outfit mainly adventure travelers, singles, couples, friends & family but also scientific and specific interest expeditions. Amazon Mystery Tours also offers speedboating, river cruise, and canoeing trips.
Swallows and Amazons [3]. Reasonably priced classic-style riverboats for exploring the Amazon and Negro Rivers on trips ranging from 1 to 15 days. The “riverboat” is complete with hammocks (or day-beds), bathroom, shower, captain, cook, an English speaking professional guide, all food and drink (except alcohol), camping and fishing equipment. A motor canoe is sometimes used to reach more remote locations on the tour at the discretion of the guide. A “houseboat” offers the same but with double or cot style beds. Multi-day trips (including a 7 night package) explore the Amazon and Negro Rivers and the Anavilhanas Archipelago and offer trekking, canoeing, camping, swimming, alligator hunting and piranha fishing, as well as visits with the local river people. An eleven night package adds Jau National Park on the Middle Negro River and a 15 night package adds the Lower Branco, as well as more locations on the middle Rio Negro.
Amazon Clipper [4]– A “filtered” experience by comparison and less ambient adventure. Offers regular guaranteed tours departing on Mondays (3 days/2 nights), Wednesdays (4 days/3 nights) and the full cruise from Mondays to Saturdays (6 days/5 nights). All tours depart and arrive at the Pier of the Hotel Tropical in Manaus. A typical tour includes some "igarapes" (river creeks) and "igapos" (flooded forests) by powered canoes, visit the natives and see their way of life, hike in the forest, as well as fishing, bird watching, swimming in the river, and lectures on the Amazon.

Jungle Lodge. If you want to make nature-based jungle tours in the Amazon take a traditional lodge in the middle of the rain forest. There are a number of "Jungle Lodges" set up in the 2-3 hours (by boat) vicinity of Manaus. Typically, you would be transported from Manaus (airport) via regional boat and later by motorized canoe to the Lodge. Here you can expect to stay in hut accommodation, all meals included, taken on to guided tours and excursions on boat and foot, fish piranhas, search for alligators, visit native "Caboclo" dwelling and so on.

Amazon Village Jungle Lodge [5]- Amazon jungle lodge. The authentic jungle lodge located in the heart of the tropical rain forest of Brazil. The most exciting and wonderful tours in the amazon rain forest. They offer complete two, three and four-days overnight packages with guided tours and excursions, including full board & lodging, and transportation since Manaus. Lots of activities and nature tours, according to package choice. The Amazon Village Jungle Lodge is a remote and exclusive lodge classified as "Special Ecological Lodging" by Embratur - The Brazilian Tourism Bureau. The Village consists of a central "open air" lodge surrounded by 21 bungalows, all the bungalows are attractively designed with local wood in the native maloca style and discretely integrated into the surrounding of the local Jungle.

Ponta Negra is a popular river beach, some distance west of the city.

For details on the Jaú National Park and other nearby attractions, see the Get out section below.

Luis Sergio M. de Lima & Jinny Kelly V. de Lima, 0055 92 9115 3910, sergiotour@hotmail.com. Survival in the Jungle Course; Tour Guide; specialist in jungle survival, organizes tours to meeting of the waters, Janauary Ecological Park by canoe, jungle treking, piranha fishing, alligator spoting, Jaú National Park by boat; sleep in hammock. This is trip includes: Transfer airport / Survival Camping / airport, accommodation in tapiri house, sleep in hammock, all meals, regional fruits and soft drinks, motorized canoe, tour guides, boat and canoe pilots, native guides, Jurará community will be very glad on inviting you for this adventure trip.

[edit] Eat

Local cuisine is rich and varied and can be found in many restaurant and stalls. You may try tapioquinha, a glutinous pancake made from manioc starch, usually buttered and filled with tucumã palm fruit and farmer’s cheese. Or tacacá, an Amazon local soup. Or pamonha, made from green corn and coconut milk boiled in corn husks. Or bolo de macaxeira, a tasty but heavy glutinous translucent oily cake made from manioc. Or sugar cane juice, a favorite drink among locals. The region is also known for its exotic fruits like creamy white capuaçú and iron-rich açaí.

Açaí e Companhia, Address: Rua Acre, 98 - Vieiralves, phone number (Phone: 55-(92) 3635-3637). Open 10 am to 12 am. Nice atmosphere. Regional dishes. Good service. Sometimes live music.
Canto da Peixada, Address: Rua Emílio Moreira, 1677 - Praça 14, Phone: 55-(92) 3234-3021. Great local fish selection.
Casa da Sopa, Soup buffet. Highly recommended.
For international food in Manaus, the Miako and Suzuran offer Japanese food; there’s a Korean restaurant on the “Boulevard”, superb Italian food at Gianni's, and there is a home that serves delicious Peruvian dishes downtown near Cortez Casa de Câmbio.

[edit] Drink

Dancing Upscale: the Tropical Hotel’s dance floor. Middle class: Tukannu’s, Coração Blue near the Ponta Negra. General public: Deus Me Livre, Municipal, Meu Dengo, Kitabom. Most adventurous: the Casa do Terror, a cobwebbed hole-in-the-wall near the Bola da SUFRAMA where a shirtless Cearense in a cowboy hat spins old LP’s of boleros and bregas.
Festivals Festivals are usually held in the Sambódromo, a huge stadium on Rua Constantino Nery. Carnaval is held here as well as many other festivals, including Manaus’s popular Boi.
Manaus also has a surprisingly large gay community. The two main clubs are "Humps" and A2, both located in the city centre.

[edit] Sleep

[edit] Budget

Lots of cheap hotels and pensões can be found in the area around Av. Joaquim Nabuco. Email:

Hotel Itália: Rua Guilherme moreira, n. 325 - Downtown. Email: Email.
Amazon Backpackers: Avenida Joaquim Nabuco 204 City Center.
Hostel Manaus: Rua Lauro Cavalcante 231 - Centro
Hostel Trip Tour:Rua Costa Azevedo,63- Centro

Alvorada:Rua Quintinho Bocaiúva nº 583, Manaus Center

Brazil Phone: 55 92xx30824732 Email: E-Mail

Brasil Av. Getúlio Vargas, 657 - Centro Manaus, Phone: 55 92 xx 30824732, Email: E-Mail. Central location.
Continental, Rua Coronel Sergio Pessoa 189, 233-3342. A few blocks removed from the main strip; pleasant and economical.
Estrela, Center, Rua Pedro Botelho, 162, Phone (55-92-xx) 3233-4538, clean and cheap: Us$ 15/single, good place to find amazon jungle tours and trips in and out of Manaus.
Jangada, Rua dos Andradas, opposite Rio Branco. Rooms with private bathroom, a/c and tv for 35 reais. Very clean.Brazil Phone: 55 92 xx 30824732 Email: E-Mail

good place to find amazon eco tours

Pensão Sulista, Av. Joaquim Nabuco 347, 234-5814.
Rio Branco, Rua dos Andradas 484, 233-4019. A real backpacker dive. Rooms are tiny and in some cases without windows.

Cheap clean rooms with Frigobar, Phone, Air condition, Safe service, brekfeast and room service

[edit] Mid-range

Continental Hotel, Estrada dos Japoneses, n.238, Parque 10, Phone:92-3642-6232 E-Mail. Rooms have Minibar, cable TV and Broadband Wifi Internet Service, 24 hour Room service, Single with breakfast US$29.99. Stay with us and feel at home.

[edit] Splurge

Tropical Manaus Eco Resort, It is Brazil’s most luxurious hotel, located in the heart of the Amazon Forest, on the banks of the Negro River. It has 588 apartments and the largest complex of hotel, events, sports, and tourism and leisure services. It is only 10 km from the Brigadeiro Eduardo Gomes International Airport and 16 km from downtown Manaus.

[edit] Stay healthy

The climate is very hot and humid. Packing thin, light-colored clothing will help you suffer the least during the day. There are also many mosquitoes known to carry malaria, so wear long sleeve shirts and pants and insect repellent. There is little cotton or natural fiber clothing available in Manaus, so don’t count on being able to pick up something on short notice. People seem to prefer synthetic materials, which have the advantage of drying easily without molding.

[edit] Stay safe

Violent crimes against tourists in Manaus are highly uncommon. However, avoid robbery by avoiding crowded (or deserted) places. From 5-7 p.m. and 7-8 a.m., the buses are packed with people going to and from work, so be away of public transportation during this time. Pickpocketing takes many forms: it could be a well-dressed teenager on a crowded bus, or 2 middle-aged women pretending to look at wooden spoons in the market. Avoid the East zone, it has a bad fame in Manaus for being dangerous Be very careful of other drivers, because of the bad traffic in the city they drive for a long time to reach their destination (thus very fast). AN ARDENT WARNING: Do not buy tours from people at the airport or on the street in Manaus. Not only are you likely to get ripped off, you will never get your money back. The best guides are hired by the best companies; the best shysters don’t work for the best companies. If you don’t want to book a tour before arriving and want to book a tour in Manaus use a reputable published guidebook first or just look for the official tourist information center (CAT), they'll help you out and even make free calls in case of need. Tour companies are relatively easy to find (or call) in downtown Manaus and many will meet you at no charge.

PAY ATTENTION TO THE FOLLOWING: The tour companies (even the ones in Lonely Planet) tend to trick the tourists sometimes, they ask you "may I do the reservation?" if you say yes and later cancel they will want to charge you 25%, it's not legal, only if they let you know about it and make you sign something, so be always suspicious about them, ask other tour operator to check the prices, sometimes they say: "We work in partnership" It's also not true, prices change a lot, so take your time to search and Good trip!

[edit] Get out

Presidente Figueiredo – 105 km from Manaus, offers archaeological grottoes and caves, waterfalls, and native scenery.
Sao Gabriel da Cachoeira - Home of many Indian tribes and the Pico da Neblina, the highest mountain in Brazil.
Aruba, Curacao - TAF flies on the weekends to those destinations, 650 USD return.
Boa Vista - By Bus or with the national airlines, from Boa vista you can fly to Guyana and Suriname.
Praia do Tupé – nearby white sand beach
Manacapurú – Paraiso d’Angelo chalets on black water
Parintins – boi festival in June
Mauês – guaraná festival
Venezuela by bus, 16 hours, Caracas 36 hours, TAM flies to Caracas 500 USD return.
Jau National Park - Jungle expeditions leave Manaus for this huge park located between the cities of Novo Airão and Barcelos. The Park is a World Heritage site and stands out in the state of Amazonas. The closest city is Novo Airão, which is 150 km from the capital. The park itself is 220 km on a straight-line from Manaus.
Manaus also offers Eco Tours for Mamori River AND Mamirauá at the south of the city near the Amazonas river reached by the Transamazônica road (an extension of the Pan-American road), for good Rainforest Tours.