Top Activities in Manaus, Brazil

October 31, 2026

Top activities in Manaus, Brazil

Manaus is a city of about 2.2 million people at the confluence of two great rivers, and it can be reached only by air or by water in practice. These are the activities visitors build a stay around, in the order most people tackle them.

Quick picks

River confluence: the Meeting of the Waters, by boat.
Forest: the MUSA canopy tower in the Adolpho Ducke Forest Reserve.
Culture: a guided visit to Teatro Amazonas.
After dark: caiman spotting by boat with a licensed guide.
Out of town: waterfalls at Presidente Figueiredo.

Meeting of the Waters

The Rio Negro is dark and acidic, and the Solimões carries pale sediment. Where they meet, they flow in two bands for about 6 km, with differing speed, temperature and density. Boats go from the Porto Flutuante in the city centre, and tours bundle the trip with other stops. Ask each operator for a price, since fares vary. Background reading is on Portal Amazônia .

MUSA canopy tower

MUSA, the Museu da Amazônia, is at Avenida Margarita 6305 in the east zone. A climb of roughly 242 steps takes you to platforms at 14, 28 and 42 m. Open daily 08:30 to 17:00, shut on Wednesdays, with the final entry about an hour before closing. The museum site lists ticket prices and a resident discount: museudaamazonia.org.br . Reserve through WhatsApp, (92) 99280-9059, or write to agendamento@museudaamazonia.org.br . Birds may show up from the platforms, but there is no promise of any species.

Teatro Amazonas

Address: Praça São Sebastião.
Opened: 31 December 1896.
Tickets: R$20 full, R$10 half; free for Amazonas residents with ID, children to 10 and people with disabilities.
Hours: Tuesday to Saturday 09:00 to 17:00, Sunday and holidays 09:00 to 13:00. Check on the day for Monday.
Format: guided visits only.
Status: UNESCO World Heritage since 27 July 2026, as Amazonia Theaters.

Night caiman spotting

A licensed local guide can take you out by boat after dark from Manaus or a lodge. You watch from the boat. Nobody catches, holds or poses with the animals.

Presidente Figueiredo

The waterfall town is about 105 km north on the BR-174. A local guide makes swimming at the falls safer.

Before you travel

The CDC recommends a yellow fever vaccine for Amazonas from age nine months, given at least 10 days ahead. Brazil does not demand it at the border.
Malaria occurs across Amazonas, so ask a doctor about tablets a month before. Use DEET or picaridin.
The US State Department lists Brazil at Level 2 for crime.
River level matters: August to November is low water, with shallow channels and long boat transfers. Look up the Porto de Manaus gauge before booking.
Bring reais; cash is handy for river taxis.

Tours

Search for river and city options on GetYourGuide . The health notes come from the CDC Brazil page .