Manaus

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A short trip to Manaus

A March 2000 trip to Manaus by Adelaide

Teatro AmazonasMore Photos

I was on a business trip and only had time to spend the weekend as a tourist, which wasn't enough. Manaus, the capital of the state of Amazonas, is the main entrance for visitors to the Amazon in Brazil.

  • 6 reviews
  • 6 photos

A short trip to ManausBest of IgoUgo

Overview

Manaus is set by Negro river, which flows into the Amazon river a few km after. The meeting of these waters and the flooded areas around it are some of Manaus' best attractions. Although tourists flock into Amazon for the jungle, the city itself has a rich history and some architecture landmarks. Though close to the jungle, it's a big city with a population of around 2 million.

Quick Tips:

If you have time and money, take a package to one of the many jungle lodges, so you can see more of the jungle, as you are far from the city of Manaus.

Best Way To Get Around:

Manaus itself has a reasonable bus system (although not always easy to go around). Air conditioned buses cost only around US.50.

Tropical Manaus ResortBest of IgoUgo

Hotel | "Tropical Hotel"

The hotel is certainly Manaus's best, although it's also expensive (travel packages often give better tarifs). Rooms are comfortable and the buffet breakfast, which is included in the price, is delicious. The hotel is located at Ponta Negra, a residential area. Travel agencies located at the hotel lobby can arrange tours, many of which departing from the hotel's deck. There is a mini zoo with native animals of the Amazon. Check out the Tropical Hotel
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Adelaide on October 19, 2000

Tropical Manaus Resort
AV CEL TEIXEIRA 1320 Manaus, Brazil
55 92 6595000

Mindu ParkBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Igapó
At Mindú Park, not far from the city center, we walked along trails to see the ecosystems of the Amazon, some of which are original. Signs identify some of the trees like the 'pau-brasil' shown here. The colorant extracted from its red wood was the first produce from Brazil that the Portuguese exploited. Mindú Park is a refuge for the sauim-de-coleira, a very small brown and white monkey, but I didn't see any. You can also visit an igapó, a water pond formed by rain in low areas. There are also organized activities, lectures, etc, but I am not sure if this is only for scheduled visits.
  • Member Rating 2 out of 5 by Adelaide on October 24, 2000

Mindu Park
take bus 328 from downtown Manaus, Brazil

Customs BuildingBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Customs building
The Customs Building dates from 1906. It was pre-frabricated in England in a mix of Medieval and Renaissance styles. Together with Manaus' port, it was registered as a National Historical Heritage site in 1987.
  • Member Rating 2 out of 5 by Adelaide on October 24, 2000

Customs Building
By the port Manaus, Brazil

Meeting Of The WatersBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Vitoria regia
The boat first takes us to witness the meeting of the waters, which is the union of the dark waters of Negro River with the muddy Amazon River. Due to the different temperatures and densities of these waters, they mix very slowly. Then we visited Janauary Ecological Park, where we saw the 'vitoria regia', a waterlily, with its huge disk-shaped leaves that may grow to diameters of almost two meters! After lunch, we left in canoes into the 'igarapes' - channels formed during the wet season, which last from December to May. We stopped at a native people's home, where they keep animals like monkeys, caymans, sloths and anacondas that tourists can photograph (a R$1 tip - about US$0.50 - is recommended for each picture).
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Adelaide on October 19, 2000

Meeting Of The Waters
Amazon River meets the Rio Negro Manaus, Brazil

Teatro Amazonas - Opera HouseBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Teatro Amazonas
Teatro Amazonas is the city's opera house. It was opened in 1896 and its construction took 15 years. All materials were brought from Europe - even the Brazilian woods that were used were worked in Europe. It has 685 seats and every year hosts concerts, opera and ballet presentations. Manaus was a very rich city at that time, due to the rubber. It was one of the first cities in Brazil to have electricity. Guided tours are available (US$2.5). Closed on Sunday.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Adelaide on October 19, 2000

Teatro Amazonas - Opera House
Praça São Sebastião Manaus, Brazil

About the Writer

Adelaide
Adelaide
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

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