Visiting Manaus: what are the best things to see and do in the Brazilian city?
Manaus is an original city that will take you on an architectural journey between tradition and modernity. Founded by the Portuguese in 1669, Manaus is a city of over 2 million inhabitants, located at the entrance to the mysterious and gigantic Amazon rainforest.
Before rushing into this incredible forest, don’t hesitate to spend a few days in Manaus. A visit to Manaus means discovering a city with a prestigious past, wedged between the Rio Negro and the immensity of the Amazon. A visit to Manaus also means immersing yourself in the history of rubber, the material that was the pride and wealth of the city and its entire region in the second half of the 20th century. It was the rise of the automobile that led some of the city’s entrepreneurs to start producing and trading latex, made from a tree found throughout the Amazon rainforest: the rubber tree.
So what exactly is there to see and do in Manaus? Let’s take a stroll through the city and its must-sees!
1. Amazonas Theatre
Photo credit: De Alvaro Pantoja / Shutterstock.com
What’s the best thing to do in Maunaus? Visit the Amazonas Theatre, of course! This building is undoubtedly the most famous monument in Manaus. It was inaugurated on December 31, 1896, and was built using precious materials: bricks from faraway Europe, glass from France and marble from Italy.
It symbolizes the period known as the « Belle Epoque », when the city prospered thanks in particular to rubber extraction and trade. Today, the Amazonas Theater is open to visitors and still hosts regular events such as theater, opera and music performances.
2. The town center and its architecture
Photo credit: De Anna ART / Shutterstock.com
What else is there to do in Manaus? Well, after discovering the jewel that is the Amazonas Theater, take a stroll through the historic center.
It’s here that you’ll find the oldest buildings, made of a mixture of quite original colors. Some have been renovated, others are in ruins. A surprising melting pot to discover! In fact, the city of Manaus is nicknamed « the Paris of the Tropics ». And that’s just the beginning!
3. The Adolfo Lisboa market
Photo credit: De guentermanaus / Shutterstock.com
Located near the Amazonas theater and not far from the port, the Manaus municipal market, also known as the Mercado Adolfo Lisboa, is a must-see! The stalls open in the early hours of the morning, and you can find many local products such as fish, fruit and manioc. The market is quite large, and in fact its borders are quite blurred.
The heart of the municipal market is undoubtedly the huge Eiffel-style hangar, built at the beginning of the 20th century. A must-see when you’re wondering what to do in Manaus.
4. City parks
Photo credit: Unsplash- Sid Balachandran
As Manaus has a tropical climate, the temperature changes little and rarely drops below 25 degrees. Humidity is also high, and even becomes overpowering after a few hours’ stroll around the city.
Visiting Manaus also means taking the time to relax in a park, in the shade of a large tree. The Brazilian city boasts two lovely parks in particular: the Mindú municipal park and the CIGS wildlife park.
The first is an ecological park, comprising a forest around which several activities are carried out: science, education and cultural events. The second is a nature park managed by the army, and includes 300 plant and animal species.
5. The « meeting of the waters
Photo credit: De LUC KOHNEN / Shutterstock.com
Manaus lies at the junction of two rivers ( Rio Negro and Rio Solimoes) which, when they meet, form the Amazon, the longest river on Earth (along with the Nile).
This meeting takes place just opposite Manaus, and can be reached quickly from the port. The black of the Rio Negro meets the beige of the Rio Solimoes. The two rivers flow in parallel for several kilometers, before merging to create the Amazon.
A short excursion to the » meeting of the waters » allows you to admire this curious yet beautiful natural phenomenon.
6. Bosque da Ciencia
Photo credit: Unsplash- Sid Balachandran
A visit to Manaus and the surrounding area includes the Bosque da Ciencia, both a scientific research site and a park covering more than ten hectares open to the public.
It’s a good introduction to the diversity of wildlife in the Amazon rainforest, with plenty of typical animals to spot: fish, butterflies, spiders, turtles and even caimans.
7. The beaches
Photo credit: De guentermanaus / Shutterstock.com
Brazil is synonymous with beaches! Manaus is no exception. You’ll find numerous beaches all around the city, including Ponta Negra beach, located in the heart of the chic district of the same name.
The beaches of Praia da Lua and Praia do Tupe are set amidst the lush vegetation of the Amazon rainforest!
8. The botanical garden
Photo credit: Instagram – bruno__mello
Visiting Manaus also means taking in the sights of the city’s botanical gardens.
Also known as the Adolpho Ducke Garden (in honor of a famous botanist), it is considered one of the world’s largest gardens at 100 km².
9. Things to see and do in and around Manaus
Photo credit: De guentermanaus / Shutterstock.com
While a few days’ visit to the city of Manaus is enjoyable, many tourists use Manaus as a base for their excursions into the Amazon rainforest. Indeed, Manaus is the starting point for many adventures in the South American jungle. There’s something for everyone: from a small agency offering a day trip in the Amazon, to a multi-day stay in the rainforest, with nights in a hammock, discovering native villages, or even hunting piranhas!
If you’d like to learn more about rubber, don’t hesitate to visit Vila Paraiso (half-day excursion from Manaus) and discover the Museo do Seringal. Here you can visit the workshops where the rubber was collected and processed.
For the rest, Manaus and the surrounding region have many other wonders to discover, including :
- Palacio Rio Negro: former seat of the provincial government
- Le Palacete Provincial: a police station converted into an art museum
- Mirage Park: a huge amusement park
How to get to Manaus
- By plane
To reach and visit Manaus, flights are available from most major Brazilian cities. The flight can take between 1 and 3 hours depending on the distance, and prices vary between €50 and €200 depending on your departure city. For example, a flight from Boa Vista to Manaus will cost less than €100, while a flight from Sao Paulo to Manaus is around €120.
From Europe, flights are available from Paris, but they often include a stopover (Sao Paulo if you’re flying with TAM Airlines, Rio de Janeiro if you’re flying with Air France, for example). Direct flights are also available from Lisbon. Prices vary, but are always between €600 and €1000 return.
If you’re planning to fly, don’t hesitate to consult the Ulysse flight comparator, which will help you travel at the best price.
- By boat
It is also possible to reach Manaus by boat from Belem, a little further north.
While the price is very attractive, the trip is rather long (around 5 days), but allows you to discover some superb landscapes, as well as the town of Santarem, which is well worth a visit. Prices start at €60 in a hammock and €100 in a cabin.
Where to stay in Manaus?
Manaus is a big city, so you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to accommodation. However, the largest range of accommodation is located near the port, which is close to the city center and is the starting point for many excursions into the Amazon rainforest.
The chic Ponta Negra district is also a good place to stay, with its many hotels – a little more expensive but more luxurious than elsewhere in the city.
For the more adventurous among you, many companies offer packages with accommodation in the heart of the Amazon rainforest. Thrills guaranteed! You can use this hotel comparator to find the ideal accommodation for your budget. You can also read our article on the best areas to stay in Manaus!
Map of hotels and accommodation – Manaus,br