Amazon (Manaus) travel guide

Manaus - Located right in the middle of the Amazon Rainforest in Brazil’s largest state – Amazonas - Manaus sits on the confluence of the Negro and Solimoes Rivers. Manaus is home to a major river port, large enough to receive ocean going vessels, and the city can only be reached by river or by air. Founded in the second half of the 17th century, Manaus’ name references the Manaos Indians that used to live in the area. The city impresses with the natural beauty of its surroundings, with quiet river islands and tranquil waterways just a short boat trip away from its large and modern city center. Manaus is a popular starting-off point for expeditions into the surrounding Amazon jungle, and there are a number of excellent Amazon jungle lodges within a day’s journey from the city.

Don’t miss…

Amazon wildlife - Home to more known species than anywhere else on the planet (as well as plenty as yet undiscovered) the Amazon is full of creatures of every kind, from ants to alligators to pink dolphins and jaguars. The Amazon jungle has a diversity of amphibians, reptiles, mammals, fish, birds and insects unmatched anywhere else on earth. The flora sheltering them is equally as varied, with huge trees, such as mahogany, raising the canopy to as high as 9om, and giant lilies and delicate rare orchids growing in the shadows of the foliage.

The Meeting of the Waters - 10km downstream from Manaus, two mighty rivers - the Negro and the Solimoes - join to form the Amazon. Due to the varying temperatures and sediment levels in the rivers, their differently colored waters do not mix immediately, but instead flow side by side for some 8km. It is not until the waters finally mix that the river officially becomes ‘The Amazon’.

The Amazon Theater - Manaus' magnificent opera house was built in 1895-96 during the height of the rubber boom. With no expense spared the theater was designed in the Italian Renaissance style, complete with columns, marble staircases, chandeliers and a beautiful mosaic dome.  

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