Embedded in the Amazon Forest, Manaus is a city with almost 1.5 million inhabitants and it is the capital of Amazonas, the largest Brazilian state. The city impresses with its natural beauty, ecological parks and a series of green areas that seem endless. It is a land of contrasts, blending exuberant nature with a high-tech industrial centre and the remains of a glorious past, during the peak of the international rubber trade.

Manaus was founded in the second half of the 17th century, with the construction of the São José da Barra Fort, on the Negro River’s left bank, with the purpose of protecting the region against foreign invasion. Its name is a reference to the manaos Indians that lived in the area.

For many years, the city was practically isolated. However, from the 19th century on, when the international rubber trade started to grow and its raw material, latex, was extracted from native rubber trees, Manaus began to attract the attention of businessmen the world over.

By the end of the 19th century, the wealth generated by rubber exports financed the construction of luxury buildings replicating Europe’s fashionable architectonic style in the heart of the Forest. Orchestras and European opera companies performed regularly at the Amazonas Theatre, one of the greatest symbols of economic development of that period.

When the rubber trade declined, for a long time, Manaus was forgotten. It recovered its economic importance with the installation of an industrial centre, stimulated by the institution of a Free Zone in 1957. Today, many companies stand out, using state-of-the-art technology to produce electronic, computer and communication equipment.

Basic information

Climate
From December to May it rains a lot, embellishing the citys waterfalls. For the rest of the year, when there is less rain, river beaches are formed on the Negro River.

Events

February – Amazonas Carnival – samba schools parade at the "sambodromo" at the Convention Centre
May – Ponta Negras Music Festival
June – Amazonas Folklore Festival
June 29 – São Pedro River Procession
October 24 – Anniversary of Manaus
December – Ponta Negras New Years Eve Party

City facts

Manaus
Capital of the State of Amazonas
Region: North
Population: 1,527,314 inhabitants
Area Code: (92)

Distances
Boa Vista: 800 km

Accommodation / Restaurants

Most of Manaus” hotels are located in the town centre. The establishments are fit for business trips, but they can also accommodate tourists. In Ponta Negra, alongside a river beach, there is a huge resort with many leisure options and a convention centre. For those in search of adventure in the Amazon Forest, there are hotels in the jungle, accessible only by boat over the Negro River.

The driving forces of local cuisine are fish and vegetables from Amazonas. Among the most enjoyed dishes are those prepared with fish such as baked, stewed or fried tambaqui, matrinxã, jaraqui, pacu, pirarucu, and large bass. On the streets, one can taste typical delicacies such as tacacá, a soup prepared with tucupi (a condiment made with cassava juice and pepper), dried shrimp, cassava starch and jambu (Paracress spotflower) leaves. For dessert, we suggest the exotic local fruits, either fresh or in the form of juices, ice cream, and sweets. Some of the most enjoyed fruits are açai, araçá, abacaba, cupuaçu (a plant closely related to the cacao tree), graviola (cherimoya fruit), buriti palm and taperebá.

For those seeking more conventional dishes, there are many restaurant options serving other types of cuisine such as Italian Portuguese, Japanese and international.
Learn more about lodging and restaurants in Manaus from the sites below:

How to get there

By Air: The Eduardo Gomes International Airport receives domestic flights and flights from some Latin America cities, London, Miami and others.
By Highway: Road access from the south, southwest, midwest, and northeast regions is to Belém, capital of the State of Pará. From there, boat or river ferry trip over the Pará and Amazonas rivers to Manaus takes 96 hours. There is a paved road connecting Manaus to Boa Vista, capital of the State of Roraima, and to Venezuela. In most places in the north, trips are made by boat and by plane using regional airlines. There are also road connections between Manaus and neighbouring towns.
Main access roads:
From Boa Vista to Manaus: BR-174
From Brasília to Belém: Belém-Brasília Federal Highway (BR-153, BR-226 and BR-010)

Services

Manaustur – Municipal Foundation for Tourism
Av. Sete de Setembro, nº 157 - Paço da Liberdade – In the town centre.
Tel: +55 (92) 622-4948/233-1517/234-4261

Eduardo Gomes International Airport
Phone: +55 (92) 652-1210

Coach Station
Phone: +55 (92) 642-5805 or 236-1280

Manaus Port
Phone: +55 (92) 621-4359 or 621-4301

Bank Branches
The city has several national and international bank branches. Most commercial establishments accept credit card.

Attractions

It is the greatest symbol of Manaus economic peak. It has 700 seats and was constructed with bricks brought over from Europe, French glass and Italian marble. Several important opera and theatre companies, as well as international orchestras, have already performed there.

Ponta Negra Cultural, Sport and Leisure Park
Ponta Negra beach, located 13 km from downtown Manaus, is one of the city”s most important tourist attractions. The complex has beach volleyball courts, cycle way, a belvedere, playground, a medical centre and a spacious sidewalk with bars, restaurants and snack bars. The sunset seen from here is an extraordinary sight. It also has a modern amphitheatre with capacity for 15 thousand people, dressing room, and all the infrastructure for shows, where many popular events constantly occur.

Public Swimming Areas
The Tarumã, Tarumãzinho and Cachoeira das Almas bayous (branches of rivers), located near the city, are places of leisure for the population on weekends. Manaus has several public swimming areas, which are presently being remodelled and urbanized. There are also many private clubs which can be visited.

 

Beaches and Ecological Parks
For outings to beaches and parks situated near the city, many times it is necessary to use boats. The beaches are formed right after level of the river water starts dropping, which lasts from August to November. Starting in December, as the river rises, the waters invade the sand and the woods along its banks.

Paricatuba Waterfall
This waterfall, located on the right bank of the Negro River, along a small tributary, is formed by sedimentary rocks, surrounded by abundant vegetation. Access is by boat. The best time to visit is from August to February.

Love Cascade
This cascade, located in the Guedes bayou, with cold and crystal clear water, is accessible only by boat followed by a hike through the Forest.

Tupé Beach
Approximately 34 km from Manaus, this beach is well frequented by bathers on holidays and weekends. It is accessible only by boat. When the Negro River waters rise, the beach is reduced to a 20 m-width stretch of sand; but when they recede, it can reach 80m.

Moon Beach
It is located on the left bank of the Negro River, 23 km from Manaus. It is accessed only by boat. The beach is shaped like a crescent moon and has vegetation of rare natural beauty, with a great stretch of sand and clear, cold water.

Lion Waterfall
Located on km 34 of the AM 010 state highway (Manaus-Itacoatiara), this is a pleasant place to spend the day. Bathing in the waterfall is allowed. The water is clear and very cold.

Anavilhanas
Approximately 100 km above Manaus, near the Township of Novo Airão, on the Negro River, stands Anavilhanas, the world”s largest archipelago of river islands. There are about 400 islands covered with native forest, forming a veritable natural labyrinth. During the dry season, the receding waters reveal several beaches of white sand and interesting natural formations of roots and trunks.

Meeting of the Rivers
This natural phenomenon is caused by the confluence of the Negro River”s dark water and the Solimões River”s muddy brown water that join together to form the Amazonas River. For 6 km, the waters of both rivers run side by side, without mixing. This phenomenon is caused by the great difference in water temperatures and current speeds. The Negro River (22ºC) flows at approximately 2km/h, while the Solimões River (28ºC) flows at 4 to 6 km/h.

Adolpho Ducke Botanical Gardens
The Adolpho Ducke Botanical Gardens, inside a 100 km ecological reserve, is the world”s largest, with an infinite number of plant and animal species.

Municipal Park of Mindú
It is located in an urban area, in the November 10 Park district. It was created in 1992 to be an area of ecological interest. It covers an area of 330,000 sq m (33 ha) of forest lands remaining from the Township, and is used for scientific, educational, cultural and tourist activities. It is one of the last habitats for the sauim-de-coleira, a species of monkey that only exists in the Manaus region and is threatened with extinction. It is possible to walk safely through four distinct ecosystems in the park: land covered by secondary growth, firm ground brush, sandbanks and degraded areas that were illegally cleared in 1989. The Park also has a Library, with an environment information centre connected to the Internet. It also has a parking area, amphitheatre for 600 people, gardens planted with medicinal and aromatic herbs, orchid nursery, above ground trail and signs directed to the development of environmental education programmes.

The Science Grove
The Grove is located in the INPA”s – Amazonas National Institute for Research – area. A visit to the grove provides better knowledge of the Amazonas environment, providing pleasant moments while wandering along its trails and paths. The Grove”s main attractions are: otter vivarium, manatee hatchery, bee hives, Science House, educational trails, alligator”s vivarium, botanical garden, above ground trail, free fauna, orchid nursery and bromeliad nursery.

Zoo
The zoo is open to the public. It is managed by the Brazilian Army and boasts approximately 300 species of animals from Amazonas fauna, including monkeys, wildcats, otters, snakes, alligators, macaws, tapir, and turtles.

Tropical Manaus Eco Resort
It is Brazil”s most luxurious hotel, located in the heart of the Amazon Forest, on the banks of the Negro River. It has 588 apartments and the largest complex of hotel, events, sports, and tourism and leisure services. It is only 10 km from the Brigadeiro Eduardo Gomes International Airport and 16 km from downtown Manaus.

Cruises - Iberostar Gran Amazon
A luxurious boat, with capacity for 150 people, will take tourists on a cruise over the Negro and Amazon Rivers, offering comfort and the excellent Iberostar service. The trip starts in Manaus, stopping at several locations in the Amazon jungle to take tourists on small boat excursions that will explore the thick native vegetation. Ideal for those who like adventure, but want the comfort of a five star hotel.


Shopping

Arts and Crafts
The Forest inhabitants and members of Indian tribes produce baskets, hammocks, knick-knacks and ornaments using regional seeds, vines, fibres and wood. The Branco e Silva Centre for Arts and Crafts is a space where one can find arts and crafts stores as well as places to savour typical Amazon cuisine. Pieces made by Indians can also be found at the Indian Museum and in the Artindia store, which is maintained by the FUNAI (National Foundation for Indians), a government agency.

Manaus Free Zone
Created to be a free trade zone in order to develop Western Amazonas, the Manaus Free Zone quickly became a centre of intense commercial and industrial activity. Brazilian industries producing such articles as electronics, watches, bicycles, computers, toys, jet skis, glasses and motorcycles, and which supply the local market, are concentrated in the Free Zone. Commerce is vigorous, offering high technology products at affordable prices.

Information provided by Embratur