Manaus travel guide

Amazonas' Modern Urban Mecca

Hot and humid all year round, Manaus, capital of the state of Amazonas, is an unexpected and sophisticated urban center full of contrasts: from the elaborate Opera House to small riverside venues where locals and tourists enjoy culinary regional delights including tambaqui fish baked in banana leaves and pirarucu, a large freshwater fish reaching 6 feet in length. With over a million and a half people, Manaus is nestled in the Amazon jungle on the banks of the Rio Negro, which meets up with the Rio Solimões to form the Amazon. Small boats can take tourists to see this impressive "meeting of the waters," -- the two different colored rivers, yellow and black, do not actually mix together where they meet. The bustling harbor, the main distribution point for the whole Upper Amazon region, hosts a variety of maritime vessels including huge ocean liners. Manaus is a "free trade zone" where visitors can buy luxury imported items tax free. There are plenty of parks and museums to visit and adequate bus accommodations. Also popular among tourists are small boat trips to a variety of local outings including night trips to find alligators. Public transportation includes two storey boats, which take visitors to surrounding villages and back south to Rio de Janeiro. This bustling urban center is surrounded by lush green rainforest that seems to threaten to overtake it at any moment.