The Amazon has been exciting people from around the globe for centuries, sometimes just with the mention of the name. The idea of visiting the world’s biggest river and the rainforest that surrounds it attracts many adventurous travelers to Brazil. With over half of the world’s largest jungle found in Brazil, it is little wonder that the area’s main city, Manaus, serves as the point for most people to begin their adventures into the Amazon Jungle.
The rainforest is home to more known species than anywhere on earth and plenty of unknown ones too as new species of flora and fauna are still being discovered regularly. One of the most sparsely populated regions in terms of humans, the Amazon is full of creatures of every kind and size. From the tiniest ants to alligators, pink dolphins, giant otters, macaws, anacondas and jaguars, the jungle has a diversity of amphibians, reptiles, mammals, fish, birds and insects unmatched elsewhere on earth. The flora sheltering them is equally varied. Huge hardwood trees like mahogany raise the canopy to as much as 295 ft (90m) above your head. Giant lilies and delicate rare orchids also grow in the shadows of the foliage.
BREATHTAKING BRAZILIAN AMAZON
One of the area’s most accessible attractions is the Meeting of the Waters, 6 miles (10km) downstream from Manaus. The black water of the Rio Negro and the sand-colored water of the Solimões run side by side, refusing to join together for miles. Differences in consistency, temperature and density mean that they don’t immediately mix.
It is possible to watch opera in the Amazon Jungle, or at least on the edge of it. Manaus has a magnificent opera house, built in 1896, while the Amazon island of Parintins hosts its Boi-Bumbá festival. This is possibly the craziest celebration in Brazil.
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What not to miss in Brazil’s Amazon
Amazon Lodges
Most people come to the area for an adventure in the Amazon. Trips to lodges on the edge of pristine tropical rainforest can be a fantastic experience, as well as short excursions into the jungle or along the Amazon and its tributaries can be arranged. There are a handful of great options for staying at Amazon properties ranging from small and luxurious (Anavilhanas Lodge) to more economical options (Amazon Eco Park)…and plenty in between.
Amazon Cruises
Boats are the public transport for most of the Amazon region, and the city of Manaus is the embarkation point for most cruises on the river. Amazon cruises take in the black waters of the Rio Negro and the white water Rio Solimoes, many Amazon cruises visit both parts of the river within a week, and also have options for shorter cruises on each one of the two tributaries.
Meeting of the waters
Near Manaus, the Rio Negro and the Amazon meet creating a contrast in color between the two rivers that is so apparent, it can be seen from outer space. Due to the notably different water properties in the rivers as well as pH levels, and the fact the Amazon River is much cooler and faster than the Rio Negra, the two rivers flow alongside each other for around 6km before they finally meet.
Jungle & Jungle & Nature Hikes
The Amazon jungle is a magical world full of natural secrets. Hiking through the rainforests is a must-see experience for anyone wanting to experience the beauty of the rainforest. Guides explains how to climb Açai trees, make rope out of leaves, and talk to the monkeys and birds. Here in the Amazon resides world’s largest monkey population, and these monkeys are some of the most intelligent and inquisitive in the world. The local people are very social and very friendly, and often share food with tourists.
Meeting of the waters
The Brazilian Amazon is full of adventure activities, even multi-generational families will find exciting activities for all ages. Viewing wildlife typically happens during the excursions, many times aboard smaller skiffs. River dolphins, three-toed sloths, red-bellied piranha, caiman, manatees and more are among the species that live in the Amazon. There’s an adventure for everyone exploring the Amazon rainforest between jungle treks, jungle lodges, piranha fishermen, paddles boards, canoeing, bird watching and more.
Visit Local Communities
A number of Amazon tribes and mestizo groups are found in the Brazilian Amazon, whilst some of them continue to be genuinely uncontact or to protect their autonomous territories, other Amazonian communities have decided to share their culture with Amazonian visitors. Some of these communities allow travelers to join and learn about the lifestyle while visiting the Amazon. Our experiences are designed together with the community.
destination map
| Title | Address | Description |
|---|---|---|
Rio de Janeiro | Río de Janeiro, Estado de Río de Janeiro, Brasil | Rio de Janeiro is truly one of the world’s great cities. It is known to its people, the Cariocas, as the Marvelous City and every visitor to Rio will understand why. Much of that is due to the city’s unbeatable location, nestled between the deep blues of the Atlantic Ocean and Guanabara Bay and the dark greens of the forested mountains, and fringed by stunning golden beaches such as Ipanema and Copacabana.Read more… |
Buzios | Búzios, Estado de Río de Janeiro, Brasil | Búzios is one of the prettiest places in Brazil, and possibly in the world. Any visitor will be able to understand why it is regularly voted amongst the top ten most beautiful places on the planet. The romantic charm of Búzios is not just in the quaint old fishing village with its winding cobblestone streets and picturesque harbor. It occupies part of a small peninsula ringed by 25 beautiful tropical beaches. Read more… |
Paraty | Parati - Estado de Río de Janeiro, 23970-000, Brasil | Paraty is a fabulously picturesque colonial town on one of Brazil’s most beautiful stretches of coastline, the Costa Verde. The town itself, with its colorful old buildings and fishing boats, is dwarfed by the forest-covered mountains behind, which slope down to meet blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The rocky coast has many bays and sprinkled with over 60 islands and 100’s of secluded tropical beaches. Read more… |
Iguaçu Falls | Foz do Iguaçu, Estado de Paraná, Brasil | Possibly the most picturesque waterfalls on earth. Unlike other great waterfalls, the majesty of Iguaçu is that the Iguaçu River drops around 328 ft (100m) into 275 separate Falls across its 0.6 mile (1km) width. Many of the Falls would be tourist attractions in their own right, but as a whole, the spectacle is as awe-inspiring as any of nature’s great sights. Read more… |
Manaus & the Amazon | Manaos, Amazonas, Brasil | The idea of visiting the world’s biggest river and the rainforest that surrounds it attracts many adventurous travelers to Brazil. With over half of the world’s largest jungle found in Brazil, it is little wonder that the area’s main city, Manaus, serves as the nexus for most travelers who begin their adventures into Brazil’s lively Amazon Jungle. Read more… |
Southern Pantanal & Bonito | Bonito, MS, 79290-000, Brasil | The world’s largest inland wetland, over half of it lies in Brazil, with Bolivia and Paraguay sharing the remainder. Wildlife viewing here is always spectacular as unobstructed views of large areas of the flooded plains make it possible to spot jaguars, pumas, wolves, deer, anteaters, armadillos, monkeys, around 650 species of bird, and 250 species of fish. Read more… |
Salvador de Bahia | Salvador de Bahía - Bahía, Brasil | Salvador is the heartbeat of Brazil’s African culture with rhythms, dances, clothes, food and beliefs all imported, along with the people, from the continent across the Atlantic Ocean. The majority of Africans were taken to Brazil as slaves to work on sugar and coffee plantations in Salvador, the first capital of Brazil. Read more… |
Lençóis & Chapada Diamantina | Chapada Diamantina, Andaraí - State of Bahia, 46750-000, Brasil | Nature doesn’t get much better than Chapada da Diamantina, and luckily isn’t flooded with tourists. So the only distractions from mountain scenery are natural: orchids and bromeliads; butterflies the size of your hand; monkeys; alligators; deer; and possibly even jaguars can be seen amongst the trees. Read more… |
Depending on your client’s preferences, we can help you determine the best experiences tailored for your clients. From where to visit, when to go, what to do and how to get there safely, our travel experts will help you create an experience your clients will love.
Best times to visit Brazil’s Amazon
The Amazon Rainforest isn’t called a rainforest for nothing. In one of the wettest places on earth, you can expect to feel, see or just hear rain around 200 days per year. As the jungle straddles the equator, temperatures vary little from around 86˚F (30˚C) in the day to 72˚F (22˚C) at night. December to May is the rainy season, when travel may be difficult. The flooded forests are at their most beautiful at times of high water between April and June.
The Manaus Opera Festival takes place over three weeks in April and May, while the Boi-Bumbá festival on Parintins Island lasts for three crazy days from 28th – 30th June.
practical information
HOW TO GET THERE
The airport in Manaus has flights arriving from major cities all over Brazil. International flights arrive only from major South American destinations and Miami in the USA. From Europe and elsewhere it is better to fly into Rio de Janeiro or São Paulo and make connections. Flights to Manaus will be a delight for anybody who sees the verdant jungle canopy spreading as far as the eye can see, only broken by mighty rivers. For this, you need clear skies, which are certainly not guaranteed above a rainforest!
GETTING AROUND
There are few roads in the Amazon area, so the rivers are used to transport goods, locals and travelers. Tours to the jungle start from Manaus, but the jungle close to the city has been cleared somewhat, so the further away your destination, the more likely you are to find the true Amazon Jungle. Lodges are usually reached from Manaus by river or sometimes by air. The island of Parintins and its Boi-Bumbá festival can also be reached by river or air from Manaus
WHERE TO STAY
Manaus has good hotels in the city as well as plenty of midrange and budget accommodation, but for a true jungle experience it is necessary to travel further afield. Jungle lodges on the edge of the river and the edge of the jungle come in varied sizes and with very varied amenities! They range from very basic cabins to top-class eco-lodges with canopy walks and helipads. Staying in remote places means you will have to eat the food provided at your lodge. Cuisine in Manaus comes with Brazilian and international flavors.
The Amazon island of Parintins gets very busy for the Boi-Bumbá festival. Hotels need to be reserved ahead of time. Tours can be arranged from Manaus, including boat trip and accommodation.
More highlights of Brazil
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