Manaus Travel Forum

we will be on a cruise ship that is docked for two days in Manaus in Dec. 2009. We arrive on the 18th, spend the night on board and take on new passengers on the 20th. So what can we do there besides the offered tours and how safe is it to do things on your own if you don't speak the language? We are middle aged but good on foot. I have checked most the member pages about Manaus but haven't found much info on trips other then the usual falls and meeting of the waters.

thanks

The Opera House, Rio Negro folding into the Amazon and Piranha fishing was what I remember.

If you don't speak portuguese/spanish it will difficult to you in finding the ways to reach the spots. And crooks/swindlers are expertised in finding divested people of self-defense. So be in a group in order to look out for aiding. Do not wear valuable clothes or tourist shirts. Put your camera and notebook on a wallet or pocket.
There are some interesting spots in Manaus. I will list them:
- Museu do Indio; Rua Duque de Caxias, 356 (Pç 14)- Indian handcrafts
- Artindia; Praça Tenreiro Aranha ; Indian handcrafts
- Museu de Ciencias Naturais da Amazonia
- Teatro Amazonas
- Bosque da Ciencia; Rua Otavio Cabral Aleixo
- Parque Ecologico do January
- Flight overview by helicopter
Tourism agencies in Manaus: Amazon Explorer's, Selvatur, Companhia de Aventuras,
Fontur.
Manaus is a special city in Brazil. There is free trade zone there. Every one may buy some products at some places like:
* Shopping Cecomiz
* Some downtown stores
There's some limits you may not go too far. 1) If the product is not made in Brazil you are quoted to not spend more than US$2000,00?. This is a supposed value since I am not in Manaus. You may inquire which is the quote today.
2) You may buy only 3 units, since you're not 14 years old yet.
I will note down some hints concerned in restaurants, bilingual guides and tourism:

http://www.infoturismobrasil.com/turismo_brasil/manaus_restaura.html

Bilingual guides at: Viverde; Equipol; AmazoniaEcolazer; Cabral Expedictions.

www.embratur.com.br

Enjoy Brazil! Cassiovieggore

I agree with cassiovieggore's list of attractions.

I'd add that I've been to Manaus three times in the past decade, the first time when I was in my early 60s. I speak no Portuguese; but I had no trouble getting around -- by taxi, bus, and shank's mare (walking all over the downtown, "centro," area, including the port). I encountered no problem whatsoever.

thanks for the info. I have marked those places on my personal map and notebook. We will also be in Santarem and Boca Da Valeria. Is there anything we should see there?

Thanks