Activities in the Brazilian Amazon revolve mainly around eco-lodges and river cruises. In Manaus itself, some cultural must-dos before or after the forest stay.
In Manaus, don't miss: Theatro Amazonas (opera house inaugurated in 1896 at the peak of the rubber boom, Carrara marble, Murano chandeliers, French parquet, guided tour €15, excellent opera programming with annual festival in April-May, tickets €20-60), Encontro das Águas (3h boat excursion, €30-50/person, meeting of Rio Negro black waters and Rio Solimões brown waters over 10 km), Ponta Negra (urban beach on Rio Negro, restaurants, evening vibe), Mercado Municipal Adolpho Lisboa (1882, Belle Époque market, Amazonian fruits, fish, medicinal plants).
In the Rio Negro lodges (Anavilhanas, Juma, Mirante do Gavião, Tiwa Amazonas), typical 4 days/3 nights programme (3 excursions/day): D1 arrival and sunset excursion (canoe on igarapés, bird observation), D2 morning forest hike (terra firme, identification of medicinal trees by a caboclo guide, plants useful to indigenous peoples, jaguar tracks), D2 afternoon piranha fishing (traditional technique, raw meat as bait, tasting of caught piranhas at next day's lunch), D2 evening night pirogue excursion (caiman torch searching, listening to jungle sounds, very rare but possible jaguars), D3 morning pink dolphin observation (Novo Airão, possible swimming with habituated dolphin €30-50/person, ethically controversial experience — favour distance observation), D3 afternoon visit of a caboclo community (respectful encounter, artisan demonstrations, dance, craft purchases €5-30).
River cruises (4-7 nights, €1,500-3,500/person all-inclusive) are an alternative to explore more widely. Operators: Iberostar Grand Amazon (5-star boat-hotel, 4 nights Manaus-Anavilhanas archipelago return, €2,500-3,500/person), Premium Amazon Cruise (boutique boat, 3-4 nights), Amazon Clipper (small 16-30 cabin boats, more authentic). Programme: pirogue excursions, forest hikes, wildlife observation, caboclo village visits, Amazonian themed dinners.
More adventurous activities: helicopter or tourism plane flyover (from Manaus, 30-60 min, €200-500/person, extraordinary canopy and Encontro das Águas view), 3-7 day trekking with caboclo home stays (Wild Soul Travel, Amazon Eco Adventures operators, €500-1,200/person all-inclusive), meeting with indigenous peoples (only with serious operators and FUNAI authorisation, trip to São Gabriel da Cachoeira with Tukano 7-10 days €1,500-2,500/person).
In Belém (Manaus alternative), must-dos: Mercado Ver-o-Peso (Latin America's largest open-air market, Amazonian fruits, fish, medicinal plants, fresh açaí), Estação das Docas (former docks converted into gastronomic hub, river terraces), Mangal das Garças (bird park), Marajó Island excursion (world's largest river island, water buffaloes, freshwater beaches, 4h boat).
Read also
- Manaus — Amazon gateway: Theatro Amazonas, Encontro das Águas, Rio Negro lodges.
- Brazil — Complete country-continent guide: regions, formalities, best time.
- Pantanal — Another Brazilian wildlife paradise: global capital of wild jaguars.
- Rio and Southeast — Combine with the Amazon for a diversified city-nature trip.