Visit Manaus, The Point Where the Waters Meet

04/29/2014 - 09h26

This exclusive article from "Tourism" contains a roundup of the best of what Manaus has to offer. Whether you're in the city this summer as a football fan or not, you can be sure not to waste time.

Below are details regarding the eight principal tourist attractions of the city. As opening hours may change on account of the football, it is worth calling ahead before deciding on an itinerary.

There are also details on hotel vacancies for the month of the World Cup (from June 12 to July 13). Some are already fully booked, so be sure not to leave your reservation to the last minute.FIFA's website has some other options for accommodation.

1) Teatro Amazonas
Inaugurated in 1896, at the height of the Amazon rubber boom, this is the architectural highlight of the Amazon region. Guided tours run every 15 minutes.
Praça São Sebastião, Centro, tel. (92) 3622-2420. Open daily, from 9am to 5pm. R$10 (USD $4.50) for a guided tour.

2) Encontro das Águas (Meeting of Waters)
The dark River Negro and the sandy-colored River Solimões run side by side for over 11 miles without mixing. When finally they merge, they become the River Amazon. A boat tour will take you out to the point where the rivers meet.
Consult registered tour operators here; tel. (92) 3215-3474.

3) Mercado Municipal Adolpho Lisboa
This is an important commercial center for products from all over the Amazon region.
R. dos Barés, Centro, tel. (92) 3215-3474, Monday to Saturday, from 6am to 5pm. Sundays, from 6am to 1pm. Free entry.

4) Praia da Ponta Negra Complex
On the banks of the Rio Negro, this complex has an esplanade, an amphitheater, a lookout point, a pier, shops, areas for sports and exercise, and restaurants serving local food.
Estrada da Ponta Negra, Ponta Negra, tel. (92) 3215-3474.

5) Bosque da Ciência
For the visitor interested in seeing a little of the Amazon's flora and fauna, there are tanks containing manatees, giant otters and caimans, as well as an orchid garden.
R. Otávio Cabral, Petrópolis, tel. (92) 3643-3293. Tuesday to Friday, from 9am to 12pm and from 2pm to 4:30pm. Saturday and Sunday, from 9am to 4:30pm R$5 (USD $2.25) entry.

6) Museu da Amazônia
Along a path of just under two miles going through Amazon forest, you can see a number of different plants of the region. You might also see animals such as sloths, agoutis and snakes.
Av. Uirapuru, Cidade de Deus, tel. (92) 3582-3188. Tuesday to Sunday, from 8am to 5pm. Free entry.

7) Presidente Figueiredo
Located around 62 miles from Manaus, Presidente Figueiredo is an unmissable destination for those who like caves and waterfalls.
BR-174, km 107, tel. (92) 3324-1308.

8) Restaurante Flutuante da Tia
Set on a pier jutting out into the Rio Negro, this popular restaurant specializes in local Amazon cuisine. The most popular dish is grilled tambaqui fish (R$80 [USD $36] - serves three).
Estrada da Praia Dourada, 720, Tarumã, tel. (92) 9994-6708. Tuesday to Sunday, from 10am to 7pm.

WHERE TO STAY

Prices given per couple unless stated otherwise, breakfast included
Blue Tree Premium Manaus: R$375 (USD $169)
(11) 5041-3962; site

Saint Paul: R$565 (USD $254)
(92) 2101-9964; site

Hotel Millennium: R$875 (USD $393)
(92) 2101-9964; site

*Adrianópolis: R$166.68 (USD $75) [per person]
(11) 4872-5201; site

*Park Suítes Manaus: R$831.11 (USD $374) [per person]
(11) 3231-9000; site

MATCHES AT THE ARENA AMAZÔNIA

First Round (times given are Brasília time)
England vs Italy: June 14, 7pm.

Croatia vs Cameroon: June 18, 7pm.
There are tickets available for R$350 (USD $157), and reduced price tickets available for disabled people (R$180) [USD $81].

Portugal vs USA: June 22, 7pm.
There are reduced price tickets available for disabled people (R$180) [USD $81].

Switzerland vs Honduras: June 25, 5pm.
There are tickets available from R$270 (USD $121) to R$350 (USD $157), and reduced price tickets available for disabled people (R$180) [USD $81].

The information on this page was last checked on Tuesday April 22. Some hotels do not have availability for every day during the period of the World Cup, and there are additional fees applying to single night reservations.

Translated by TOM GATEHOUSE

Read the article in the original language