Manaus travel guide

Manaus Tourism | Manaus Guide

You're Going to Love Manaus

Manaus is a tropical city in northwest Brazil and the main starting point for visitors coming in to explore the Amazon rainforest.

Top 5 Reasons to Visit Manaus

1. Discover the Amazon

Many Amazonian tours start from Manaus. The world's largest rainforest is home to many species of birds, fish, monkeys, and more.

2. Meeting of the Waters

At the point where the Negro River and muddy Solimões River meet, the two bodies of water do not merge, giving the off a block-colored marble effect.

3. Teatro Amazonas

The Teatro Amazonas was built in the 19th century during the profitable rubber trade. There are many English tours telling of the history of the building as well as free performances.

4. Palácio Rio Negro

The former German-built Palace is now used as a cultural center for Manaus' theater and dance performances.

5. The Jaú National Park

Jaú is one of the largest National Parks in Brazil and is a critically important ecosystem packed with diverse fauna and flora.

1. Discover the Amazon

Many Amazonian tours start from Manaus. The world's largest rainforest is home to many species of birds, fish, monkeys, and more.

2. Meeting of the Waters

At the point where the Negro River and muddy Solimões River meet, the two bodies of water do not merge, giving the off a block-colored marble effect.

3. Teatro Amazonas

The Teatro Amazonas was built in the 19th century during the profitable rubber trade. There are many English tours telling of the history of the building as well as free performances.

4. Palácio Rio Negro

The former German-built Palace is now used as a cultural center for Manaus' theater and dance performances.

5. The Jaú National Park

Jaú is one of the largest National Parks in Brazil and is a critically important ecosystem packed with diverse fauna and flora.

What to do in Manaus

1. An Opulent Outpost Of European Civilization

Manaus' magnificent theater is easily the city's most famous attraction. That's mainly due to the simple wow factor of finding such an elegant building so deep in the Amazon. Built in 1896 out of materials brought in from Europe, it was part of Manaus' bid for greatness. The rubber boom burst, the city stagnated a little, but the dome, columns and beautiful interior of the theater survived - and remain a startling attraction for everyone who visits. Why not catch a show to see the venue in all of its glory?

2. Amazing Amazonian Outdoor Attractions

It doesn't matter where you've traveled, you won't have entered a city park like the Jardim Botânico Adolpho Ducke. The sheer scale of this park is what sets it apart. Stretching across some 40 square miles, it's a showcase of the Amazon's flora and fauna within easy reach of central Manaus. Start at the Museu da Amazônia, for a great introduction to the natural wonders of the park, then explore the trails. The Janauari Ecological Park is also a great visit for nature lovers, and can be reached by boat from Manaus' dock.

3. A Wonderfully Recreated Rubber Plantation

For over a century, rubber cultivation ruled the roost in Manaus, and the surrounding forest was covered in thriving plantations where, it has to be admitted, life wasn't always peachy for everyone. This museum brings home the reality of plantation life at a site just northwest of the city center. See the recreated shacks of the workers, and the smokehouses where they labored, and find out how they extracted rubber sap, which ended up on tires across the world.

4. Where One Plus One Doesn'T Equal Two (At First)

One of the most magical sights in the Amazon basin, the "meeting of the waters" is much more awe inspiring than the simple name suggests. Around 15 miles south of Manaus, the Amazon meets up with the Rio Negro and the River Solimões. While the Negro is, as the name indicates, almost black in color, the Solimões is much lighter. But they don't mix straight away. Instead, for miles on end, the two rivers run in the same course, but seemingly separate, creating a two-tone effect that's as captivating as it is mysterious - at least until your guide explains what's going on.

5. Sheer Baronial Brilliance

Get a feel for the opulence of Manaus' golden age by visiting this palace, which was once home to a German rubber baron by the name of Waldemar Scholz. Appropriately attractive, the palace was luxurious enough to pass from Scholz to the state's governor, but now it's a cultural center, and surely one of the most handsome in Brazil. Tour the art gallery of Brazilian talent, wander the building itself, and catch a musical show if you can.

1. An Opulent Outpost Of European Civilization

Manaus' magnificent theater is easily the city's most famous attraction. That's mainly due to the simple wow factor of finding such an elegant building so deep in the Amazon. Built in 1896 out of materials brought in from Europe, it was part of Manaus' bid for greatness. The rubber boom burst, the city stagnated a little, but the dome, columns and beautiful interior of the theater survived - and remain a startling attraction for everyone who visits. Why not catch a show to see the venue in all of its glory?

2. Amazing Amazonian Outdoor Attractions

It doesn't matter where you've traveled, you won't have entered a city park like the Jardim Botânico Adolpho Ducke. The sheer scale of this park is what sets it apart. Stretching across some 40 square miles, it's a showcase of the Amazon's flora and fauna within easy reach of central Manaus. Start at the Museu da Amazônia, for a great introduction to the natural wonders of the park, then explore the trails. The Janauari Ecological Park is also a great visit for nature lovers, and can be reached by boat from Manaus' dock.

3. A Wonderfully Recreated Rubber Plantation

For over a century, rubber cultivation ruled the roost in Manaus, and the surrounding forest was covered in thriving plantations where, it has to be admitted, life wasn't always peachy for everyone. This museum brings home the reality of plantation life at a site just northwest of the city center. See the recreated shacks of the workers, and the smokehouses where they labored, and find out how they extracted rubber sap, which ended up on tires across the world.

4. Where One Plus One Doesn'T Equal Two (At First)

One of the most magical sights in the Amazon basin, the "meeting of the waters" is much more awe inspiring than the simple name suggests. Around 15 miles south of Manaus, the Amazon meets up with the Rio Negro and the River Solimões. While the Negro is, as the name indicates, almost black in color, the Solimões is much lighter. But they don't mix straight away. Instead, for miles on end, the two rivers run in the same course, but seemingly separate, creating a two-tone effect that's as captivating as it is mysterious - at least until your guide explains what's going on.

5. Sheer Baronial Brilliance

Get a feel for the opulence of Manaus' golden age by visiting this palace, which was once home to a German rubber baron by the name of Waldemar Scholz. Appropriately attractive, the palace was luxurious enough to pass from Scholz to the state's governor, but now it's a cultural center, and surely one of the most handsome in Brazil. Tour the art gallery of Brazilian talent, wander the building itself, and catch a musical show if you can.

1. An Opulent Outpost Of European Civilization

Manaus' magnificent theater is easily the city's most famous attraction. That's mainly due to the simple wow factor of finding such an elegant building so deep in the Amazon. Built in 1896 out of materials brought in from Europe, it was part of Manaus' bid for greatness. The rubber boom burst, the city stagnated a little, but the dome, columns and beautiful interior of the theater survived - and remain a startling attraction for everyone who visits. Why not catch a show to see the venue in all of its glory?

2. Amazing Amazonian Outdoor Attractions

It doesn't matter where you've traveled, you won't have entered a city park like the Jardim Botânico Adolpho Ducke. The sheer scale of this park is what sets it apart. Stretching across some 40 square miles, it's a showcase of the Amazon's flora and fauna within easy reach of central Manaus. Start at the Museu da Amazônia, for a great introduction to the natural wonders of the park, then explore the trails. The Janauari Ecological Park is also a great visit for nature lovers, and can be reached by boat from Manaus' dock.

3. A Wonderfully Recreated Rubber Plantation

For over a century, rubber cultivation ruled the roost in Manaus, and the surrounding forest was covered in thriving plantations where, it has to be admitted, life wasn't always peachy for everyone. This museum brings home the reality of plantation life at a site just northwest of the city center. See the recreated shacks of the workers, and the smokehouses where they labored, and find out how they extracted rubber sap, which ended up on tires across the world.

4. Where One Plus One Doesn'T Equal Two (At First)

One of the most magical sights in the Amazon basin, the "meeting of the waters" is much more awe inspiring than the simple name suggests. Around 15 miles south of Manaus, the Amazon meets up with the Rio Negro and the River Solimões. While the Negro is, as the name indicates, almost black in color, the Solimões is much lighter. But they don't mix straight away. Instead, for miles on end, the two rivers run in the same course, but seemingly separate, creating a two-tone effect that's as captivating as it is mysterious - at least until your guide explains what's going on.

5. Sheer Baronial Brilliance

Get a feel for the opulence of Manaus' golden age by visiting this palace, which was once home to a German rubber baron by the name of Waldemar Scholz. Appropriately attractive, the palace was luxurious enough to pass from Scholz to the state's governor, but now it's a cultural center, and surely one of the most handsome in Brazil. Tour the art gallery of Brazilian talent, wander the building itself, and catch a musical show if you can.

Where to Eat in Manaus

Pirarucu, the biggest fish found in the Amazon is a very popular dish. Tambaqui de Banda is a great place to try Pirarucu and many other local Amazonian foods. Average meal prices are around R$30.

When to visit Manaus

Manaus in June
Estimated hotel price
AED 200
1 night at 3-star hotel
Manaus in June
Estimated hotel price
AED 200
1 night at 3-star hotel

Weather in Manaus is typically very humid and goes through two distinct seasons: wet and dry. The best time to visit is between the months of May and July when the weather is not too hot, and the jungle is most accessible with little rain.

Data provided by weatherbase
Temperatures
Temperatures
Data provided by weatherbase

How to Get to Manaus

Plane

The Eduardo Gomes International Airport (MAO) is the most common way to reach northern Brazil and just nine miles outside of the city. Flights from Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro in Brazil will take about four hours to reach Manaus. Taxis from the airport to anywhere in the city are around R$75, while bus number 306 runs into town every 30 minutes; tickets are R$3.

Boat

One of the easiest ways to reach Manaus is by boat on the Amazon River, which offers passage to nearby ports in Peru, Colombia, and Venezuela.

Bus

The roads leading into Manaus make it very difficult to access the city by bus. However there are however several bus companies which will get you to Manaus from Boa Vista or Caracas taking anywhere from 15-32 hours of driving.

Plane

The Eduardo Gomes International Airport (MAO) is the most common way to reach northern Brazil and just nine miles outside of the city. Flights from Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro in Brazil will take about four hours to reach Manaus. Taxis from the airport to anywhere in the city are around R$75, while bus number 306 runs into town every 30 minutes; tickets are R$3.

Boat

One of the easiest ways to reach Manaus is by boat on the Amazon River, which offers passage to nearby ports in Peru, Colombia, and Venezuela.

Bus

The roads leading into Manaus make it very difficult to access the city by bus. However there are however several bus companies which will get you to Manaus from Boa Vista or Caracas taking anywhere from 15-32 hours of driving.

Airports near Manaus

Airlines serving Manaus

KLM
Good (830 reviews)
SWISS
Good (912 reviews)
Delta
Good (4,585 reviews)
Air France
Good (964 reviews)
Iberia
Good (1,533 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (2,102 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (4,868 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (2,477 reviews)
TAP Portugal
Good (1,114 reviews)
Ethiopian Air
Good (383 reviews)
Air Europa
Good (314 reviews)
JAL
Excellent (917 reviews)
Avianca
Good (1,301 reviews)
Aeromexico
Good (826 reviews)
LATAM Airlines
Good (977 reviews)
Copa Airlines
Good (775 reviews)
GOL
Good (675 reviews)
American Airlines
Good (5,698 reviews)
Aerolineas Argentinas
Excellent (534 reviews)
Azul
Excellent (472 reviews)
Show more

Where to stay in Manaus

Centro Histórico - explore the region's colonial history and admire the impressive architecture, palaces, and cultural events.

Popular Neighborhoods in Manaus

Plateau - this neighborhood is a nice blend of shopping centers and nature with the Parque dos Bilhares being the most popular destination.

New Town - New Town is the most populated district and is known as the culinary and entertainment center of Manaus.

Plateau - this neighborhood is a nice blend of shopping centers and nature with the Parque dos Bilhares being the most popular destination.
New Town - New Town is the most populated district and is known as the culinary and entertainment center of Manaus.

Where to stay in popular areas of Manaus

Most booked hotels in Manaus

Manaus Hotéis Millennium
4 stars
Excellent (8.8, Excellent reviews)
AED 220+
Hotel Adrianópolis All Suites
4 stars
Excellent (8.4, Excellent reviews)
AED 261+
Blue Tree Premium Manaus
4 stars
Excellent (8.1, Excellent reviews)
AED 231+
Intercity Manaus
4 stars
Good (7.7, Good reviews)
AED 209+

How to Get Around Manaus

Public Transportation

Local buses around Manaus cost about R$3. You can buy your ticket on board or at the station before boarding.

Taxi

Taxi fares between destinations are on average around R$25.

Car

Pick your rental car up for around R$190 from the airport. The main AM-010 or AM-070 highways are best for driving as they are paved and cover most of the Manaus region.

Public Transportation

Local buses around Manaus cost about R$3. You can buy your ticket on board or at the station before boarding.

Taxi

Taxi fares between destinations are on average around R$25.

Car

Pick your rental car up for around R$190 from the airport. The main AM-010 or AM-070 highways are best for driving as they are paved and cover most of the Manaus region.

The Cost of Living in Manaus

Shopping Streets

Avenida Djalma Batista is the main road featuring both big shopping malls and smaller boutique stores selling clothes, jewelry, and home decor.

Groceries and Other

The main grocery stores are Big Amigao, Supermercado Big Boi, and the open Mercado Adolpho Lisboa. A dozen eggs will cost around R$7.

Cheap meal
AED 21.96
A pair of jeans
AED 126.24
Single public transport ticket
AED 3.31
Cappuccino
AED 7.68