11 Best Things To Do In Manaus, Brazil

1. Pay a visit at Metropolitan Cathedral of Manaus

The Metropolitan Cathedral of Manaus (Metropolitan Cathedral of Our Lady of the Conception, Manaus) holds a special place in the heart of the city. Originally built in 1695 by Carmelite missionaries, it was the first church to grace the grounds of Manaus. It was once a humble and rustic structure, though unfortunately, a roaring fire in 1850 destroyed the blessed sanctuary. However, undeterred by adversity, the resilient community rebuilt the cathedral, and in 1878, a new design emerged.

With its neoclassical architecture featuring clean lines, the Cathedral stands proudly as a witness to the city’s history. It continues to be a remarkable architectural gem that enriches the downtown landscape atop a small hill facing the port.

Metropolitan Cathedral of Manaus

Address: Praça Oswaldo Cruz, Centro, Manaus/Am, Brazil (Zip Code: 69005-390)

Opening hours (Secretariat): Mon: 3pm - 6pm; Tue - Fri: 9am - 12pm, 2pm - 6pm; Sat: 8am - 12pm, 3pm - 8pm; Sun: 7am - 12pm, 5pm - 7pm.

2. Watch a performance at the Teatro Amazonas (Amazon Theatre)

If you’re wondering what is there to see in Manaus, Brazil, the shows at Amazon Theatre might excite you. In fact, the impressive building itself is already a sight to behold. This opera house is the home of different acts such as musical concerts and regular rehearsals and performances of the Amazonas Philharmonic Orchestra. It is the top theatre in the city of Manaus and holds annual events like the Amazonas Opera Festival.

The idea for its construction was led by a member of the local House of Representatives, Antonio Jose Fernandes Junior - a person with a passion for opera and arts who dreamt of making the city the arts and culture capital of Brazil. The theatre was built in the Renaissance Revival architecture and guided tours are available if you want to see its detailed design, up close.

Amazon Theatre

Address: Avenida Eduardo Ribeiro, Centro, Manaus - AM, 69025-140, Brazil

Website: Amazon Theatre

3. See the Palacio Rio Negro

This palace was built in an eclectic style, in 1903, as the private residence of a German entrepreneur named Karl Waldemar Scholz. It later changed hands in 1918 when the palace was purchased by Pedro de Alcantara Bacellar - a governor of the Brazilian state of Amazonas. The palace was the former hub of the government, as well as the residence of the governor of the state of Amazonas. As of today, the palace hosts different kinds of events, such as art expos, shows, plays and cultural activities, to name a few.

Palacio Rio Negro

Address: Av. Sete de Setembro, 1546 - Centro, Manaus - AM, 69005-141, Brazil

Website: Palacio Rio Negro (in Portugese)

4. Take a dip at Praia da Ponta Negra

If you are looking for a place to enjoy during a summer visit, Ponta Negra should be on your list. Ponta Negra is the city’s popular beach, where visitors and residents of Manaus flock together. The place is perfect for a relaxed morning walk and has a very lively nightlife. There are different activities you can do while on the beach, such as bicycling, different ball games and a large playground, perfect for the kids.

You don’t also need to worry about going hungry here, as cafes and shops are everywhere. Take advantage of the perfect spot to see the picturesque sunset and enjoy the view.

Praia da Ponta Negra

Address: Rua João Rodrigues de Oliveira, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte 59090-210, Brasil

5. Bring the whole family to the Adolpho Ducke Botanical Garden

This botanical garden spans over 100 square kilometers (38.6 square miles) and is an ecological reserve and the largest urban forest in the world, with an infinite number of vegetal and animal species. The garden provides its visitors, both Brazilian and international, with a wide variety of interesting attractions, including exhibits on environmental education, a botanical library, expos, events and seminars.

See the amazing and well-kept flora and fauna in the open-air museum inside the reserve. Best of all, you can enjoy all of these attractions and activities for free!

Adolpho Ducke Botanical Garden

Address: R. Profa. Felismina Cheks, s/n - Cidade de Deus, Manaus - AM, 69099-415, Brazil

Website: Adolpho Ducke Botanical Garden **in Portugese)

6. Appreciate nature at Mindu Municipal Park

Mindu Municipal Park is perfect for a morning stroll. It has dense vegetation and there are walking tracks that you can use to explore the park. You can bring your family here, meet the animals, admire the water lilies or watch the birds. If you feel peckish, indulge in the bakery goodies available at Cafe Do Mindu. However, ensure you carry insect repellent and your drinks.

Visiting this park is certainly one of the fun things to do in Manaus, Brazil. Just try to wrap up your visit by 4:30pm as it is not recommended to stray alone after dusk in the park.

Mindu Municipal Park

Address: Bairro Parque 10, 69075-327 Manaus, Brazil

Website: Mindu Municipal Park

7. Shop at Mercado Municipal Adolfo Lisboa

Don’t forget to drop by Manaus’ famous marketplace. The market was built during 1880 and later inaugurated in 1883. Also called the Mercado Municipal, this market is a replica of Paris’ popular market, Les Halles. In fact, some of the structures of the building were built in Paris and sent to Manaus, by ship.

The market is also one of the biggest of its kind in the city, where you can find a vast array of fish, fresh fruit, vegetables, spices, and souvenirs for you to take home!

Mercado Municipal Adolfo Lisboa

Address: Rua Dos Bares, Nº 46 Centro, 69005-020 Manaus, Brazil

Facebook: Mercado Municipal Adolfo Lisboa

8. Visit Museu do Seringal Vila Paraiso

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Care for another interesting visit to a museum? A quick visit to the Museu Do Seringal will take you back to the past. It is a tour of an old movie set that showcases what an actual latex extraction plantation looked like, back in the early days. You will also be able to touch real rubber and watch as the latex is drips off the trees.

Museu do Seringal

Address: São João Afluente do Tarumã Mirim, S/n - Zona Rural, Igarapé - MG, Brazil

Website: Museu do Seringal **in Portugese)

9. Visit Bosque da Ciencia

Another interesting sight in the city of Manaus is the Bosque da Ciencia, a great place for a morning walk, where you can see different species of monkeys. The place is not too small - big enough to see several different special Amazonian animals. Also known as the INPA (National Institute of Amazonian Research), it also features rescued manatees, as well as different fish from the river, birds and other species of animals indigenous to the area.  

Bosque da Ciencia

Address: Av. Bem Te VI, 1 - Petrópolis, Manaus - AM, 69067-001, Brazil

Website: Bosque da Ciencia *in Portugese

10. Admire the Monumento a Abertura dos Portos as Nacoes Amigas

Right in front of the Amazon Theater lies this admirable monument in a plaza. This is also a nice place to have a relaxing break and there are benches available to sit on if you are tired. There is a sculpture in the middle of San Sebastian Square and some musicians or street performers can be seen here.

Four continents can be seen on the different sides of the monument, namely Europe, Africa, Asia and America, which are responsible for the development of Brazil.

Monumento a Abertura dos Portos as Nacoes Amigas

Address: Praca Sao Sebastiao, Manaus, State of Amazonas 69010-240, Brazil

11. Amazon River - Where waters meet (from USD 56.0)

Brazilian nature is really wonderful and the Amazon River and rainforest are so beautiful that they have been named one of the New7Wonders of Nature by popular vote. One of the highlights in Manaus that you shouldn’t miss is the Meeting of the Waters of the Amazon River. This is where you can see the confluence of the black water of the Rio Negro and the white water of the Rio Solimões, due to the differences in temperature, speed and water density of the two rivers.

If you want to see this unusual phenomenon, guided tours are available that also include other places to visit in Manaus. You just have to book your ticket in advance for a hassle-free trip. This is certainly worth seeing!

Rio Negro Cruise from Manaus to the Amazon River

Duration: 4 hours

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A variety of attractions

There you have it - a list of the things to see and do in the city of Manaus. If your wanderlust spirit has been tickled, it’s time that you become one of the continuously increasing numbers of travellers who support the thriving industry of tourism in Manaus, Brazil. A week spent in the city will never be enough so please, make sure to stay longer! Have fun exploring the city of Manaus, Brazil!