Destination Guide
UNESCO Heritage
The Amazon Rainforest
The World's Lungs
5.5M km²
Brazilian Amazon
10%
World's species
$100–$300
Daily budget
Jun–Nov
Best months
Manaus
Main gateway
Why Visit The Amazon Rainforest?
The Amazon is not just a destination — it is a force of nature. The world's largest tropical rainforest covers more than 5.5 million square kilometres of Brazil alone, producing 20% of the world's oxygen and housing one in ten of all species on Earth.
Most visitors base themselves in Manaus, the Amazon's unlikely metropolis of 2.2 million people deep in the jungle. From here, river cruises, jungle lodges and guided expeditions spread out in every direction.
💡 Best time: June–November (dry season) — rivers lower, wildlife concentrated near water, trails passable. December–May is wet season — forests flood beautifully, but mosquitoes multiply.
Top Experiences
Discover the best of The Amazon Rainforest.
Meeting of the Waters
Where the black Rio Negro meets the sandy Amazon — they run side by side for 6km.
Must-see
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Amazon River Cruise
Multi-day riverboat journeys. River dolphins, caimans, sloths and extraordinary birdlife.
Multi-day
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Jungle Lodge
Eco-lodge deep in the forest. Night walks, piranha fishing, canopy treks.
Eco-lodge
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Alter do Chão Beaches
Freshwater beaches on the Tapajós River. White sand, turquoise water.
Freshwater
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Teatro Amazonas
The magnificent 1896 opera house, built at the height of the rubber boom.
Culture
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Night Caiman Tour
Guided night boat tours with torchlight. Caiman eyes glow red in the darkness.
Night tour
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Neighborhoods Guide
Where to stay and what to expect in each area:
Centro (Manaus) ↗
City centre
Teatro Amazonas, floating market, MUSA aquarium. Best for cultural sights.
Jungle zones ↗
River tours
Most lodges are 1–4 hours upstream. The further you go, the wilder the wildlife.
Alter do Chão ↗
Beach village
30 min from Santarém. Best freshwater beaches in the Amazon. Laid-back.
Anavilhanas Nat. Park ↗
Eco-tourism
World's largest freshwater archipelago — 400+ river islands.
Safety in The Amazon Rainforest
⚠️ Jungle safety: Never enter jungle alone without a certified guide. Yellow fever vaccination is strongly recommended. Bring DEET (40%+), long sleeves and antimalarial meds for remote areas.
Safest areas for visitors
- Manaus city centre — Fine during the day — normal city caution at night
- Jungle lodges — Very safe — controlled environments with experienced guides
- River boats — Legitimate ferry services are safe — buy tickets from official offices
🏥 Health prep: See a travel doctor 4–6 weeks before. Yellow fever vaccine is essential. Consider malaria prophylaxis for remote areas.
Costs & Budget
| Item | Cost | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Budget hotel (Manaus) | $30–$60/night | Mid |
| Amazon lodge (all-incl.) | $200–$500/night | Luxury |
| 1-day boat tour | $80–$150/person | Mid |
| 3-day river cruise | $300–$600/person | Luxury |
| Local lunch in Manaus | $5–$10 | Budget |
| Yellow fever vaccine | $30–$80 | Mid |
Best Time to Visit
Dry season
Jun–Nov
Rivers lower. Wildlife concentrated. Trails passable. Best for wildlife.
Flood season
Dec–May
Forest floods (spectacular). Boat access everywhere.
Fish season
Jun–Oct
Amazon fish most active. Pink river dolphin sightings peak.
Wet peak
Jan–Mar
Heaviest rain. Cheapest prices. Flooded forest landscapes.
Getting Around
Fly to Manaus
Daily flights from São Paulo, Brasília and Belém to Manaus (MAO).
River boat
Slow boats run between major Amazon cities — an adventure in itself.
Speedboat
Charter speedboats for day trips and transfers to jungle lodges.
Bus (in cities)
Manaus has a bus network. Taxis and the 99 app work well.
Food & Drink
Must-try foods
- Tucunaré grelhado — grilled peacock bass, the Amazon's most prized river fish.
- Pirarucu — world's largest freshwater fish, served in every form.
- Tacacá — hot broth with jambu leaves (numbs your tongue!), shrimp and tucupi.
- Açaí — eaten as a savoury side dish with fish in the Amazon, not a sweet bowl.
Must-try drinks
- Cupuaçu juice — white, creamy Amazonian fruit. The region's most beloved drink.
- Guaraná powder — from the actual plant, far more potent than the bottled drink.
- Caipirinhas with Amazonian fruits — made with maracujá, cupuaçu or bacuri.
🍽️ Eat at the Mercado: Manaus's Municipal Market has the best regional produce and cheap local food. Go early for fresh river fish delivered overnight.
Day Trips
- Meeting of the Waters — 15-min boat from Manaus. Rio Negro meets the Amazon.
- Anavilhanas Archipelago — 2 hrs from Manaus. World's largest freshwater archipelago.
- Alter do Chão — 3 hrs from Manaus. The Amazon's most beautiful freshwater beaches.
🛡️
Don't forget travel insurance
Medical costs in Brazil can be very high for foreigners without coverage. SafetyWing covers you from $45/month.
Get insured before you go →