7 Things to See and Do in Manaus for Backpackers (Brazil)

Manaus, Brazil, is a city of three million people in the middle of the jungle. Here are a few things that you can see and do before backpacking the Amazon.

I arrived in Manaus, the capital of the State of Amazonas in Brazil having travelled down the Amazon in a cargo boat from Tabatinga, a journey that took 78 hours.

At first glance, Manaus seemed a bit down at the heels and there ain’t nothing gonna change your mind about that that’s for sure, how ever long you stay.

It is down at the heels and very rough around the edges. I ain’t gonna make it out as something it’s not.

In the mid 19th century, it was the centre of the rubber boom, until the seeds were smuggled out to Southeast Asia, whereby the city fell into poverty.

Rooftop view of Manaus from the hotel where I spent the first night.

Some random sculpture in Manaus:

Manaus is the gateway to the Amazon. There are all kinds of tours that you can organise from Manaus, and of course, it is a popular destination for those going upriver to Tabatinga (I made that trip the other way) or downriver to Belém.

I spent two full days exploring the Centro Histórico area of Manaus. My only excursion outside of the city center was a trip to the bus station to buy a ticket on the Eucatur bus: Manaus to Boa Vista.

Riding the local bus to the main bus terminal in Manaus:

Manaus has a bit of a bad reputation for being unsafe, like a lot of cities in Brazil, but, to be honest, the vibe didn’t feel dodgy.

There are quite a few homeless and drunks sleeping out and sometimes there is the overwhelming smell of piss and crap.

I walked all over Centro during the day and apart from the 20 minute walk from the port to the hotel on the day we arrived (we were 5), I didn’t venture out after dark.

Daytime felt ok. But it pays to be careful!

Everyone was pretty friendly and smiling. Yet there was no I Love Manaus sign.

There aren’t many things to see or do in town but I liked it all the same, for the few days that I stayed there.

I enjoyed my stay at the Aldeia Hostel, just 2 blocks from the Opera House

This is a quick-fire, top seven things to see and do blog post.

Ideal if you are waiting for your jungle tour to start or preparing for the boat trip up or down the Amazon, or like me, recovering after the 4 day 3 night slow boat from Tabatinga.

1. The Opera House

The Amazon Theatre or Teatro Amazonas in Portuguese, commonly referred to as the Opera House, stands proudly in the centre of the historical district

Built in 1896 during the peak of the rubber boom, it symbolized the wealth of “rubber barons” who aimed to transform Manaus into the “Paris of the Tropics”

It was designed by Italian architect Celestino Sacardim.

The iconic dome is covered in 36,000 ceramic tiles painted in the colors of the Brazilian flag, which were imported from Alsace, France.

2. Largo de São Sebastião

This is the main plaza in front of the Opera House. It is worth coming here to sit and people watch.

3. Catedral Metropolitana Nossa Senhora da Conceição

The Metropolitan Cathedral is located down by the port in the Praça de Matriz.

4. Clock Tower

No info about the clock tower.

5. State of Amazonas Court of Auditors

There isn’t much information about the State of Amazonas Court of Auditors, now derelict, near the port.

It’s an eerie place but it is the location for the daily artisanal market which is worth a look.

Manaus lacks a café scene. But the Bentes Café inside the former Court of Auditors, is hopefully a sign of things to come.

6. Mercado Municipal Adolpho Lisboa

I came here to get a feed. Breakfast was included at my hostel where I ate well. So my second meal of the day was at the municipal market

This is Manaus. It’s as cheap as you will get.

7. The Harbour Port Area

The harbour/port area is an interesting place to wander, though not after sunset and keep your wits about you at all times. Manaus is a working city.