Best things to do in Amazonas
Find out more about those top places in Amazonas
Amazonas Travel Guide: Best Places to Visit, Top Attractions, and Things to Do in Brazil's Rainforest Heart
Welcome to Amazonas, the immense and awe-inspiring heart of Brazil. Covering a staggering area more than four times the size of Germany, this region is home to some of the world’s most biodiverse landscapes, including the mighty Amazon River, which originates here. For travelers in search of true adventure, Amazonas offers an unforgettable journey into the depths of the Amazon Rainforest—a destination unlike anywhere else on Earth.
Despite its size and ecological importance, Amazonas remains a hidden gem on the Brazilian travel circuit, often overshadowed by the country's beach-heavy eastern seaboard. But for those seeking raw nature, indigenous culture, and immersive eco-experiences, there’s no better place to explore.
Top Things to do in Amazonas
1. Visit Manaus
Your Amazonas travel guide begins in Manaus, the vibrant capital of the state. Located thousands of miles inland yet functioning as a bustling port city, Manaus is where most rainforest expeditions begin. While often used as a jumping-off point, the city has its own set of top attractions, including:
-
The Amazon Theatre (Teatro Amazonas): A stunning 19th-century opera house built during the rubber boom, it's one of the most iconic landmarks in Brazil’s interior.
-
Mercado Municipal Adolpho Lisboa: A colorful riverside market offering Amazonian produce, crafts, and local culture.
-
Meeting of the Waters: Just outside Manaus, this natural phenomenon where the dark Rio Negro and the sandy-colored Solimões River run side by side without mixing is a must-see sightseeing experience.
2. Amazon River Cruises
No visit to Amazonas is complete without a boat tour along the Amazon River. These cruises take you deep into the rainforest, offering a front-row seat to some of the world’s most spectacular wildlife—from pink river dolphins and caimans to toucans and howler monkeys. Whether you choose a luxury riverboat or a basic lodge-to-lodge tour, it’s one of the top things to do in Amazonas.
3. Explore the Mamirauá Sustainable Development Reserve
One of the most pristine and ecologically significant places to visit in the Brazilian Amazon, Mamirauá is a haven for rare species like the white uakari monkey and black caiman. This protected area is only accessible by boat and offers immersive jungle excursions, including canoe safaris, birdwatching, and wildlife tracking guided by local experts.
4. Reserva Extrativista Baixo Rio Branco-Jauaperi
For a more off-the-beaten-path experience, this remote reserve offers a chance to connect with indigenous and traditional riverine communities while exploring untouched Amazonian landscapes. It’s one of the region’s most authentic and eco-conscious tourist attractions.
5. Jungle Lodges and Night Walks
Spend a few nights at an Amazon jungle lodge to fully absorb the rhythm of the forest. Night walks offer a thrilling look at the nocturnal life of the jungle, from glowing insects to elusive tree frogs and even jaguar tracks.
Travel Tips for Exploring Amazonas
-
Best Time to Visit: The Amazon has two main seasons—wet (December to May) and dry (June to November). While the wet season allows for deeper boat navigation into flooded forests, the dry season is better for hiking and land-based activities.
-
Getting There: Manaus is well-connected by air from major Brazilian cities like São Paulo and Brasília. From Manaus, boat or plane transfers take you into deeper parts of the rainforest.
-
Packing Essentials: Bring lightweight long sleeves, mosquito repellent, waterproof bags, binoculars, and a strong sense of adventure!
-
Responsible Travel: Choose eco-certified lodges and guides who support local communities and conservation efforts.
Why Amazonas Should Be on Your Bucket List
Whether you're looking for unique places to visit, unforgettable things to do, or once-in-a-lifetime sightseeing opportunities, Amazonas delivers on every front. It’s a destination for travelers who want to go beyond the postcard and dive into the heart of one of the planet’s last great wildernesses.
From sunrise paddles along flooded forests to sharing stories with indigenous guides under the stars, the experience of Amazonas is visceral, humbling, and unforgettable. Add this extraordinary region to your Brazil travel guide and uncover a side of the country few travelers ever get to see.
-
Meeting Of The Waters
The Amazonian Rainforest offers visitors an opportunity to view a very extraordinary phenomenon. A boat tour of the Amazonian Rainforest allows you the privilege of seeing the meeting of waters or more appropriately, the union of the Black River and the Solimões River.
-
Pink Dolphins
Pink Dolphins present a gorgeous sight and can be found in the freshwater habitats in the Amazon. During a tour of this site, you also get to feed them and learn about their ecosystem and physical features. Of all dolphin species, they are considered the most intelligent and are also very social and friendly to tourists and visitors.
-
Amazon Theatre
Right in the heart of the Amazon rainforest in Brazil, stands the Amazon Theater. The Amazon Theater is an opera house and is located in Manaus which is in the heart of the Amazon. While on your tour of the Amazon, ensure that you check out this Theater.
-
Amazon Jungle
Take a tour of the Amazon Jungle and experience a life different from the one you know. Travel from the Juma River to the Juma River reserve in 4 days and 3 nights and enjoy a night of immense pleasure on a floating jungle guest house while gray and pink dolphins swim by giving you a feeling of being in Utopia.
-
Tucandeira Ants Ritual
New experiences are a part of every tour but a unique experience like the Tucandeira Ants Ritual can only be gotten on this particular tour. This particular experience is the indigenous rituals of the Sateré Mawé Tribe and is unique. This ritual is carried out as a form of male initiation.
