Manaus, a surprising city in the heart of the jungle, is the largest city in the Amazon. To visit Manaus is to discover a city full of charm in the heart of the Amazon rainforest. Its natural beauties, its parks and its magnificent architecture seduce more than one traveler.
Visit Manaus
During the visit of Manaus, strolling through its streets, the glories of its period of prosperity of the nineteenth century are obvious. Manaus was world famous for its rubber production. The city has preserved sumptuous buildings as well as some colonial mansions. The most visited building in Manaus is the famous Opera House, the Teatro Amazonas. The municipal market is also unavoidable, to make provisions for example if you plan to take the boat for the rest of his trip. Jungle tours are also possible from Manaus.
How to access Manaus?
To arrive or leave Manaus, you have only 2 options: the plane or the boat. The “cruise” connecting Manaus to Belem along the Amazon River is an experience that we recommend to everyone.
! To do in Manaus!
Visit the Teatro Amazonas
When planning our trip to Brazil, we did not expect to find an Opera in the heart of the Amazon rainforest, or more exactly in the old city center of Manaus.
This magnificent and unusual theater dating back to 1896 is the emblematic reminder of the beautiful era when the production and export of rubber made the wealth of the region. Since then, it has attracted the biggest names in the opera and sold out at the Manaus Opera Festival, which takes place from late April to early May for three weeks. The monument, nicknamed The Jungle Opera, bears witness to the past splendor of Manaus.
As far as architecture goes, what is amazing is that all building materials are imported from Europe: Carrara marble, Portugal stone, Alsace tile … It took almost 15 years of work to build such a building. ! The bourgeoisie of the time had a real cult of European and especially French fashion and dreamed of a Paris in the Amazon. Just that !
Stroll at the Municipal Market
The municipal market of Manaus comes alive in the early morning when the fishermen return and ends in the early afternoon. Located near the Opera and close to the floating port, the municipal market is a mandatory passage during a visit to Manaus. Architecturally already and for its products too! The heart of the market is a hangar built in the Eiffel style dating from the early twentieth century. Then, over the years, Manaus has seen its population grow and its market with. The limits of the market are currently very vague. Products include fish, cassava, fruits and handicrafts. The inhabitants of the Amazonian Forest come here to stock up on provisions. As for us, we took the opportunity to buy some food for the boat cruise over the Amazon that awaits us.
Excursions in the jungle
Manaus is the starting point for many excursions in the Amazon rainforest. Multiple agencies organize short stays in the forest with a local guide. Rather touristy but some travelers met during our stay in the Amazon loved it. As for us, we preferred to discover the primary forest from the village of Alter do Chao located not far from Santarem.