Travel to Brazil: Manaus Tours

Why travel to Manaus

Due to its location in the heart of the Amazon, Manaus is the prime departure point for multi-day trips into the jungle. Waking up in the Amazon Basin is a spectacular once in a lifetime experience, with its beautiful sunrise and accompanying concerts of thousands of different birds and insects. In general, the longer the trip and the further away one can get from the city itself, the more pristine and exciting the forests are.

The Amazon is a gigantic system of rivers and forests, the world largest rainforest and richest ecosystem, covering almost half of Brazil’s territory and extending into neighboring countries. The Amazon River and its tributaries make up 20% of the world's supply of fresh water. Of the twenty largest rivers in the world, ten are in the Amazon Basin. The Amazon still keeps many of its secrets to this day; many major tributaries of the Amazon remain unexplored and hundreds, if not thousands, of animal species remain unidentified by modern science.

The wide stretch of river known as Rio Amazonas runs between the cities of Manaus and Belém, although the various rivers that join to form it provide a navigable route for ocean-going vessels to almost the other side of the South American continent. The most common and easy departure point for excursions into the Amazon is Manaus, which lies beside the Rio Negro, 6 miles (10 km) upstream from the confluence of the Solimões and Negro rivers, which join to form the Rio Amazonas.

What to do in Manaus

The Jaú National Park is a nature lovers’ dream and should be visited if making a trip to Manaus. Situated about 136 miles (220 km) from Manaus, in the lowland plateau in the Western Amazon, it is one of the largest national parks in Brazil and in Latin America, measuring 5,614,234 acres (2,272,000 Ha). Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the park was established in 1980 to protect the region’s high level of endemism and biodiversity.

Within the city itself, the attraction most worth mentioning is the Manaus Teatro Amazonas; the famous opera house built in Italian Renaissance style and constructed at the height of the rubber boom in 1896.

When to visit Manaus

There are benefits in traveling to the Amazon Basin and Manaus throughout their various seasons and depending on your Brazil vacation priorities. June to November is considered a prime time to visit as it is the dry season, great for activities such as fishing. However, this is also Manaus’ hottest season, a time that may be stifling for some when the heat and intense humidity combine to cover the region with an impenetrable blanket of thick air. October is the height of the hot and dry season.

The wet and cooler season peaks in February when it is about 80.2°F (26.75°C) on average. The rain may mean you are wet for the entirety of your Manaus trip, but it is also a wonderfully beautiful time in the Amazon Rainforest when streams and rivers come alive, enhancing the surreal vistas.

Travel Testimonials

Our accommodations turned out to be excellent throughout the trip. From hotels, to flight purchases and local tours, Gavin's insights gave us good advice and choices. Our questions were always promptly and thoroughly answered. This service was SO much better than buying a packaged

Diane and Jim Anderson, Victoria, BC Canada

---

We can't thank you enough for all you did to ensure that we had the best trip possible. Working with you was a pleasure. Our trip was perfect in everyway. Our hotels were lovely and they surpassed our expectations.

Andrea Kustin-Mager

---

All the bumps that came up along the way were handled smoothly by you and your team. Thank you for making sure our trip was fun and relaxing!! We had the best time exploring that part of the world and seeing amazing sites!

Jessica and Angelo

See all testimonials »

Manaus Hotels

Ariau Amazon Towers

Amazon Rainforest, Manaus

Ariau Amazon Towers is the largest treetop hotel in the world. Perched among the treetops in the Amazon canopy, this jungle lodge puts you at eye-level with the playful monkeys and colorful macaws and toucans. A two-hour boat ride will get you to the hotel, located 35 miles from Manaus on the Anavilhanas Archipelago. The lodge has 268 rooms all connected by a 5 mile system of catwalks built 30 feet above the ground. Each guestroom features Brazilian décor and beautiful views of the Rio Negro and Rio Amazonas. All rooms are equipped with air conditioning, double or queen beds, minibars, and private bathrooms. Suites include private balconies, cable TV, and dining tables. For more privacy and to be closer to nature, guests can also stay in a private treehouse. Each has exquisite Amazonian wood furniture, private balconies, luxurious amenities, and spacious living rooms. The hotel also includes a dining room, where authentic Brazilian meals are served, as well as four bars, a business center and entertainment center, gym, gift shop, and two treetop swimming pools.

Swimming Pool Room Service Internet Restaurant Gym Baby Sitter Laundry Service Gift Shop

Ariau Amazon Towers Photos & Info »

---

Amazon Ecopark Lodge

Amazon Rainforest, Manaus

The Amazon Ecopark Lodge is located on the sandy-white beaches of the Taruma riverbank, near the Rio Negro, only a 30 minute boat ride from Manaus. Opened in 1991, this Amazon jungle lodge is nestled in a private reserve that promotes conservation and sustainability. Over 6 miles of jungle trails, natural savannahs, and deep primary forest beckon for exploration. There are 20 rustic bungalows divided into 64 apartments, each with thatched roofs, wide screened windows, and porches with incredible views of the Taruma. But the lodge is also outfitted with many comforts. Each room has air conditioning and a bathroom with electric-heated showers. The lodge features an Indian-style, open-air dining room where guests can enjoy a range of regional and international dishes for each of their meals. There is also a bar, living room, and two spacious open areas under thatched awnings, where guests can enjoy folklore dance and music shows.

Restaurant Internet Swimming Pool Room Service

Amazon Ecopark Lodge Photos & Info »

See all Manaus Hotels & Jungle Lodges