Manaus, Brazil: travel guide
A rainforest gateway where the Amazon's dark and pale rivers meet
Gateway to the Amazon rainforest. A gilded opera house rises from the jungle; the Meeting of the Waters flows nearby; jungle lodges begin minutes from the city centre.
About Manaus
Manaus sits deep in the Amazon, in the state of Amazonas, and is the main base for exploring the world's largest rainforest by river. Its best-known sight is the Teatro Amazonas, an opera house built during the rubber boom that still stands incongruously among the city streets.
On the river, the Encontro das Águas shows the dark Rio Negro running beside the pale Solimões for miles without mixing. Jungle lodges and boat trips lead to wildlife, forest walks and visits to riverside communities, and the Mercado Municipal gives a taste of Amazonian fish and fruits.
Manaus suits nature lovers and adventurous travellers. It is hot and humid year-round, with the drier period roughly from July to December.
- Country
- Brazil
- Currency
- BRL
- Time zone
- America/Manaus
- Nearest airport
- MAO
Last updated
Top places to visit in Manaus
Encontro das Águas
Nature · 4.8 rating · about 2 h · entry R$80 (≈ ₹1,520)
Where the dark Rio Negro meets the sandy Amazon River, flowing side-by-side without mixing for 6km due to differences in temperature, speed and density.
Teatro Amazonas
Heritage · 4.8 rating · about 1 h · entry R$50 (≈ ₹950)
Opulent 1896 opera house in the heart of the Amazon — Italian marble, Venetian glass chandeliers and a dome painted in the colours of the Brazilian flag.
Mercado Municipal Adolpho Lisboa
Market · 4.4 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Ornate 1882 iron market — fresh Amazon fish, exotic fruits (cupuaçu, açaí, jambu), medicinal plants and artisanal crafts.
MUSA - Museu da Amazônia
Nature · 4.6 rating · about 3 h · entry R$50 (≈ ₹950)
192 hectares of primary Amazon rainforest inside Manaus, with a 42-metre canopy walk tower offering a unique aerial perspective of the jungle.
Things to do
- Meeting of Waters Boat Tour Nature · 3 h · from 90 per person
- Amazon Jungle Day Trip & Piranha Fishing Nature · 8 h · from 250 per person
Where to stay in Manaus
- Centro Histórico / Praça São Sebastião about BRL 220 per night
Walking distance to Teatro Amazonas, the market and the port. Most affordable area. Safe during the day — avoid walking at night.
Hotels
- Mercure Manaus Hotel 4-star · BRL 220 to BRL 480 per night
- Tropical Manaus Ecoresort 4-star · BRL 380 to BRL 1,100 per night
Where to eat
- Sorvetes Glacial ice-cream, dessert, regional · about BRL 20 per person
- Banzeiro amazon, contemporary, river-fish · about BRL 130 per person
- Choupana amazon, regional, river-fish · about BRL 65 per person
Getting to Manaus
Airport: Manaus (Eduardo Gomes Intl) (MAO)
Getting around
- Boat
- Bus
- Ride Hail
- Walking
Safety and scams to avoid
Jungle Tour Fraud
Porto Flutuante waterfront
Operators sell "Amazon jungle tours" with no real equipment, unlicensed guides and transport. Tourists end up on a 30-minute boat ride to a non-jungle area.
How to avoid it: Book only with CADASTUR-registered tour operators or through your hotel. Check online reviews. Legitimate companies have offices, not just men approaching at the dock.
Currency Exchange Fraud
Centro and bus station
Money changers offer excellent exchange rates for USD/EUR. They use sleight of hand to swap bills or offer counterfeit reals.
How to avoid it: Exchange money only at official banks (Banco do Brasil, Bradesco) or authorised exchange houses with BACEN registration. Verify all notes received.
More in Brazil
Frequently asked questions about Manaus
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Manaus?
- The highest-rated places in our Manaus guide are Encontro das Águas, Teatro Amazonas, MUSA - Museu da Amazônia, Mercado Municipal Adolpho Lisboa.
- Where should I stay in Manaus?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Manaus: Centro Histórico / Praça São Sebastião.
- How do I get around Manaus?
- Ways to get around Manaus covered in our guide: Boat, City bus, Ride-hailing app, Walking.
- What scams should I watch out for in Manaus?
- Scams reported to us for Manaus include Jungle Tour Fraud; Currency Exchange Fraud. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
- Which airport is nearest to Manaus?
- The nearest airport to Manaus has the code MAO.