"Janvier : saison des hautes eaux, pluies abondantes, croisières fluviales possibles."
Expert on Manaus · 1 contributions
Reviewed by :
Africa & Americas Desk — Mowando·Editor
Africa & Americas Desk — Mowando·EditorThe best periods
The best time to visit Manaus is July to November (dry season, low waters).
Jui, Aoû, Sep, Oct, Nov
Saison sèche — eaux basses, sentiers accessibles
- ✅Sentiers pédestres accessibles : randonnée en forêt possible, pêche au piranha optimale
- ✅Plages éphémères de sable blanc sur le Rio Negro (août-novembre)
- ✅Faune concentrée autour des points d'eau, observation facilitée
- ✅Moins de moustiques (zones inondées réduites)
- ❌Certaines zones inaccessibles en bateau (igarapés à sec)
- ❌Forte chaleur (33-35 °C) et humidité 80-90 %
- ❌Tarifs lodges en hausse
Déc, Jan, Fév, Mar, Avr, Mai, Juin
Saison des hautes eaux — croisière fluviale optimale
- ✅Forêt inondée (igapó) : navigation en canoë au cœur des arbres immergés, expérience unique
- ✅Accès à des zones inaccessibles autrement, faune aquatique visible
- ✅Lumière douce, photographie exceptionnelle
- ✅Dauphins roses plus actifs
- ❌Sentiers pédestres impraticables
- ❌Pluies fréquentes (mais brèves), humidité maximale
- ❌Plus de moustiques
- ❌Mars-avril : pic des pluies, parfois inconfortable
Month-by-month climate
Temperatures, rainfall and sunshine in Manaus across the 12 months.
| Jan | Fév | Mar | Avr | Mai | Juin | Jui | Aoû | Sep | Oct | Nov | Déc | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Min | 24° | 24° | 24° | 24° | 24° | 24° | 24° | 24° | 24° | 24° | 24° | 24° |
| Max | 30° | 30° | 30° | 30° | 30° | 31° | 32° | 33° | 33° | 33° | 32° | 31° |
| Mer | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Pluie | 270mm | 280mm | 300mm | 280mm | 220mm | 100mm | 60mm | 40mm | 50mm | 100mm | 170mm | 230mm |
| Soleil/j | 4.5h | 4.5h | 4h | 4.5h | 5h | 6h | 7h | 7.5h | 7.5h | 7h | 5.5h | 5h |
Tourist crowds
Monthly attendance levels (0 = empty, 100 = saturated).
Jan
65
Fév
60
Mar
55
Avr
50
Mai
50
Jui
65
Jui
80
Aoû
80
Sep
70
Oct
70
Nov
60
Déc
60
Average flight prices
Average round-trip Paris → Manaus by month.
Jan
$1,512
Fév
$1,620
Mar
$1,404
Avr
$1,188
Mai
$1,026
Jui
$1,080
Jui
$1,296
Aoû
$1,296
Sep
$1,188
Oct
$1,188
Nov
$1,188
Déc
$1,404
Frequently asked questions
How many days in Manaus?+
The city itself deserves 1-2 days maximum (Theatro Amazonas + Encontro das Águas + Mercado Municipal + Ponta Negra + Amazonian cuisine). Real Amazon trip happens from eco-lodges 1-3h boat ride from Manaus (mainly Rio Negro). Typical 6 days/5 nights itinerary: D1 Rio-Manaus flight, afternoon Theatro Amazonas, evening Amazonian gastronomy. D2 Encontro das Águas in morning, transfer to lodge in afternoon. D3-D5: 3 nights in lodge with daily excursion programme (jungle hike, pirogue, pink dolphin observation, piranha fishing, caboclo community). D6 return to Manaus in morning, return flight. For more complete experience, plan 8-10 days (1-2 nights Manaus + 4-5 nights premium lodge + 1 night Manaus return).
Which lodge to choose on Rio Negro?+
Our eco-lodge selection. Anavilhanas Jungle Lodge (Novo Airão, 180 km from Manaus in world's 2nd largest river archipelago, €300-450/night full board, excellent value, remarkable ornithology). Juma Amazon Lodge (Rio Juma, 100 km from Manaus, iconic floating lodge on stilts in canopy, €350-500/night, maximum immersive experience). Mirante do Gavião Amazon Lodge (Novo Airão, contemporary design, pink dolphins at exit, €400-600/night). Tiwa Amazonas (close to Manaus 30 min, €150-250/night, economical option but less profound experience). Amazon Ecopark Jungle Lodge (decent value, €200-300/night). All full boards include: transfers from Manaus, meals (3/day), guided 2-3 daily excursions (jungle hike, wildlife observation, pirogue, piranha fishing, night excursion, local community visit). Book 3-6 months ahead in Brazilian high season (July) and European (summer).
Need vaccines for Manaus and Amazon?+
Yes, yellow fever vaccine is practically mandatory to enter Brazilian Amazon (lodge companies require it at check-in). Single-injection vaccination, at least 10 days before departure in an approved centre (traveller consultations of major hospitals, Pasteur institutes). Cost: €50-80, lifetime validity since 2016 (before 10 years). International yellow certificate to keep. Other strongly recommended vaccines: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, DTP up to date. Antimalarial prophylaxis (Malarone, doxycycline) recommended for stays in remote areas or river cruises — travel medicine consultation mandatory before departure. Mosquito precautions essential (DEET 30% minimum, long clothes in evening) to prevent endemic dengue, zika, chikungunya. Take out travel insurance with repatriation (medical structures limited in deep Amazon).
How to get to Manaus from Brazil?+
Manaus is accessible exclusively by domestic flight from rest of Brazil (distances too large for bus, 4,200 km from Rio). Eduardo Gomes International Airport (MAO) 14 km from centre is served daily from: Rio (GIG) 4h flight, €250-400 return (Latam, Gol, Azul), São Paulo (GRU) 4h, €250-400 return, Brasília (BSB) 3h, €200-350 return. Some direct international flights from Miami (American Airlines, 4h30) and Lisbon (TAP, seasonal 8h). No direct flight from Europe to Manaus — access via Rio or São Paulo. From airport to centre: official taxi 60-90 BRL (€10-15), Uber 40-60 BRL, hotel shuttle by booking, 30 min drive. Once in Manaus, lodge access by fast boat (1-3h navigation) — transfers included in lodge full board.
What to taste in Manaus, Amazonian cuisine side?+
Amazonian cuisine is one of the world's most unique — indigenous (Tupi-Guarani) heritage, mixed with Portuguese and African influences. Must-tries. Tacacá (traditional soup, cassava broth + jambu — local herb that numbs the mouth — + dried shrimp + pepper, served hot in gourd, €5-10, try at street stalls or Mercado Adolpho Lisboa). Pato no tucupi (duck cooked in tucupi — boiled cassava juice — with jambu, festive iconic dish, €25-40). Pirarucu de casaca (world's largest freshwater fish up to 3 m, savoury flesh, fried or in moqueca, €30-50). Tambaqui grilled (other large Amazonian fish, costela do tambaqui = grilled ribs, €25-40). Maniçoba (cassava leaves cooked 7 days with meats, Belém festive dish, try if offered). Amazonian fruits: açaí (energising purple juice served plain with banana and muesli, €5-10), cupuaçu (creamy white-pink juice), graviola (sour-sop, delicate juice), pupunha (Amazonian palm heart). Drinks: guaraná Antarctica (national soda based on Amazonian berry), cachaça caipirinha or jambu (spicy local cocktail). Restaurants: Banzeiro (Amazonian gourmet, €50-80/person), Caxiri (traditional cuisine, €25-40/person), Tambaqui de Banda (grilled fish, €30-50/person).
Our verdict
Manaus is the unmissable gateway to the Brazilian Amazon — useful and necessary but without major urban interest in itself. Our recommendation: plan 1-2 nights in Manaus for Theatro Amazonas, Encontro das Águas and Amazonian gastronomy, then continue with 3-5 nights in a Rio Negro eco-lodge (Anavilhanas, Juma, Mirante do Gavião — €300-500/night full board with transfers, meals and guided excursions). Travel from July to November (dry season, low waters, accessible trails) for classic hiking and wildlife observation experience, or from February to May (high water season, flooded forest) for river cruises and photography. Yellow fever vaccine mandatory (10 days before departure), DEET 30% mosquito repellent essential, travel insurance with repatriation strongly recommended. Combine Manaus + lodge (5-6 nights total) with Rio (4 nights) and Iguazu (2 nights) for a complete 12-14 day Brazilian trip. The Brazilian Amazon isn't a stay: it's an initiation to the world's largest rainforest massif.
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