A la découverte de l'Amazonie

Want to discover the Amazon? Traveling up the Amazon River allows you to savor every part of this breathtaking region. Be amazed by the Amazon jungle discovering the wild fauna and flora or relax to the rhythm of the life of the Amazon river. We share with you here the places we visited in this region of Brazil:

Manaus :

Manaus is a huge city in the middle of the Amazon, with just over 3 million people. It has a small historic center but it is above all the starting point for many treks and excursions in the Amazonian forest. We didn't really appreciate the city itself, especially in the evening when we didn't necessarily feel safe.

What are the best things to do in Manaus ?

Visit the historical center : the main square, the "Teatro Amazonas", the lively streets around, : Free, : on Sundays and in the evening the streets are deserted, better to avoid,

Central market : liveliness of the market and the surrounding streets, perfect to buy your hammock before taking the boat, : Free, : 06:00 – 20:00,

The waters meeting point : place where the Rio Negro and the Amazon meet : agencies offer a boat service to go to the waters meeting point,

The Amazon forest : a few days of immersion to discover this incredible nature, there are many agencies that offer different tours. We went through Antonio Ecolodge and we fully recommend it! : 1990 reals/ person (340€), : 4 days/ 3 nights

Go up the river Amazon by boat : take one of the boats that go up the Amazon to reach Santarem (2 days) or Belem (5 days), we advise you to make the trip in hammocks like most locals and let yourself be lulled by the Amazon, : 300 reals/person (Manaus-Santarem and Santarem-Belém) – Hammock between 35-70 reals, : 4 days/ 3 nights

What are our good adresses in Manaus ?

Mural Living Hotel: good hotel near everything, spacious and clean room, : 230 reals /double room,

Tacaca Da Ivete : local restaurant on the main square to discover a specialty of the Amazon, the Tacaca : 25-30 reals/person, : 11:30 – 21:30 from Sunday to Friday

Antonio Ecolodge : ecolodge on the edge of the Rio Negro, discovery of the Amazon in a respectful way, canoe trip or walk, 2 nights in the lodge and one night camping in the forest. Our guide Léo taught us a multitude of things and especially how to respect this very special environment. The Rio Negro is more acidic so fewer mosquitoes, which is not unpleasant. We loved this immersion and we recommend this ecolodge. : 1990 reals/ person (340€), : 4 days/ 3 nights

Our tips for Manaus

On Sunday the city is completely empty so it is not the best day to visit. So avoid walking on Sundays and in the evening, streets a little gloomy and a little insecure in places

Immersing yourself in the Amazonian forest is just magnificent. If you can do more than 3-4 days do not hesitate!

take one of the boats that go up the Amazon to reach Santarem or Belem. We advise you to make the trip in hammocks like most locals and let yourself be lulled by the Amazon.

(by Show Me The Road)

Urubu River (The Amazon) :

We stayed in an ecolodge by the Urubu River in the middle of the Amazon forest. It was a great experience. The perfect place for a few days of immersion in this incredible flora and fauna. The objective is to discover and learn while respecting this precious environment.

What are the best things to do in the Urubu river ?

Canoe : canoeing on the river and in the different arms of the river to observe nature as closely as possible. After the rainy season when the level of the river is high enough, you can navigate among the trees that are submerged.

Observe the pink and grey dolphins : this can be from the ecolodge or during a canoe trip. Magical times!

Fishing Piranhas: fishing piranhas for dinner!

Observe the Caymans by night : aboard your canoe you may have the chance to see the caymans at night!

Hike in the forest : discovery of the Amazonian forest, trees and plants that we had never seen. You also learn how to cure different ailments from what you can find in the forest. We also learn to build traps and other things from plants, vines...

Camp in the Amazon forest sleep in a simple hammock, prepare a camp, fall asleep and wake up to the sounds of the forest, a truly magical moment.

What are our good adresses in the Urubu river ?

Antonio Ecolodge : the ecolodge is very comfortable, the food is just exquisite and the team on site is at the top! In addition to all this, it is not mass tourism and everything is done with the greatest respect for the environment. : 1990 reals/ person (340€), : 4 days/ 3 nights

Our tips for the Urubu river

A small non-exhaustive list of what to bring: clothes for hiking that dry quickly (especially in the rainy season), of course mosquito repellent (environmentally friendly, it's better), long clothes for the evening, a flashlight, a raincoat, sun protection, a swimsuit, flip-flops... And don't forget cash if you want to consume other things to drink or eat in addition to the meals that are included .

If you have time, do not hesitate to stay longer to immerse yourself more deeply in this breathtaking environment.

(by Show Me The Road)

Santarem :

Santarem is another important city along the Amazon River. The city itself is not really of tourist interest. It is known to stop there to make excursions in the Amazonian forest or like us, to reach a little corner of paradise, Alter Do Chão.

What are the best things to do in Santarem ?

Walk along the promenade : view of the Amazon, observe the fishermen and the animation along the promenade. There are also food stalls everywhere, small markets at times, : Free, : at the end of the day for the sunset it is very beautiful

Excursions in the Amazon forest : Santarem is also a starting point for many tours to discover the Amazon forest. We did this from Manaus so we don't have any info to share with you here.

Go to Alter-Do-Chão : it is a small village on the banks of the Rio Tapajos. Ideal for relaxing and enjoying the Amazon differently, : 9 reals by bus

What are our good adresses in Santarem ?

Along the promenade : along the Amazon river, on the promenade there are lots of stalls where to eat,

Our tips for Santarem

For us the city of Santarem does not have much interest, we advise you to go directly to Alter Do Chão or leave for your excursion in the Amazon forest.

(by Show Me The Road)

Alter Do Chão :

Alter Do Chão is a seaside resort along the “Rio Tipajos”. It is a small paradise made up of white sand beaches, restaurants and bars of all kinds. A perfect place to relax in the middle of the Amazon.

What are the best things to do in Alter Do Chão?

Ilha do Amor : it is the island facing the city. We reach it with small boats that go back and forth all day. Ideal place to relax, swim and enjoy eating or drinking with literally your feet in the water, : 5 reals/person for the boat trip

Serra Ibitira Piroca : peak on the Island of Love which offers breathtaking views of the surroundings. It is reached by a very simple 30min hike. The effort is definitely worth it, the view is spectacular. Many people go there for the sunset, : Free

Lago Verde : is a lake bordered by small beaches when the waters are not yet too high. There are also boat trips available.

Ponta do Cururu : breathtaking view of the river and the surrounding area. Ideal for the sunset but it can be crowded because many boats offer to go there.

Praia do Pindobal : very beautiful beach to discover. You can reach it on foot from Alter do Chão (10 km) otherwise there are also buses,

The Amazon forest : Alter do Chão can also be the starting point for some tours in the Amazon. For your information, we give you the price of what we paid with our agency in Manaus, : 1990 reals/ person (340€), : 4 days/ 3 nights

What are our good adresses in Alter Do Chão ?

Pousada Casa do Ivo : very good guesthouse, clean and comfy room, terrace with hammocks to chill and really nice breakfast, : 115 reals /double room,

Night market : several stalls on the main square. There you can taste the "pastels" that we can find everywhere in Brazil of others special dishes from Amazonia as the Vatapa or the Manicoba, : +/- 15 reals/person, : every night

Siria Bistro Vegetariano e Vegano : good little vegan restaurant with daily menu, : 30 reals/person, : everyday

Maniva, Bar & Co : very nice bar, with a few tables placed in the sand. There are often live concerts and a great atmosphere. The house cocktail is delicious and the team super friendly,

Our tips for Alter Do Chão

Take advantage of the many beaches and relax in this very special environment.

The Ibitira Piroca peak is absolutely to be done, the view is really magnificent.

(by Show Me The Road)

Belém :

Belém is located at the mouth of the Amazon. It is a city steeped in history but which has aged a little badly. The historic center is very nice with its fish market, the lively streets, the fort or the ecological park of “Mangal das Garças”. However, it remains a big city where there is sometimes insecurity. Belém charmed us less than other cities in Brazil.

What are the best things to do in Belém ?

Visit the historical center : stroll through the historic center, discover all these lively streets, the fort, the churches and the market, : on Sunday the streets are deserted, better to avoid,

Marché Ver O Peso : fish market and next to it you will find another market with everything, very good place to eat too, : 05:00 – 18:30 – Closed on Sunday,

Mangal das Garças park : very pleasant park where to walk, there are many species of birds : Free,

What are our good adresses in Belém ?

Central market : ideal for tasting Acai with fried fish : 14 reals/person

Estação das Docas : promenade along the Amazon river with many bars and restaurants. Ideal place to end a day of visit,

Our tips for Belém

On Sunday the city center is a bit deserted so it's not the best day to visit.

Belém remains a very big city so we recommend that you stay vigilant and of course at night travel by taxi or Uber.

(by Show Me The Road)

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