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Manaus - suggestions for overnight


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Our ship will overnight in Manaus arriving at 11am and departing the next day at 5pm. I am looking for first hand experience on things to do. I know a jungle trek with or without an overnight in the jungle is an option and I’ve read the opera house is nice. Has anyone done these and were they interesting? Got other suggestions?

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I would recommend arranging a private tour of Manaus.

 

We did this on our visit in 2013. In our case we did it through the cruise line as we had an option for private tours but you can find companies with trip advisor.

 

We did tour the downtown area and that included the beautiful opera house and we also visited a large market which provided a great place to pick up some gifts for the family.

 

Manaus is a large city.

 

Keith

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Thanks Keith. The opera house really is beautiful huh? We’ve seen several beautiful old colonial buildings around the world and weren’t sure if this building was unique in some way. Is it?

 

 

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You don't need a tour to see the opera house--it is within walking distance of the port and tours run frequently. There are usually tours offered that include Meeting of the Waters, walk through the jungle, water lilies, swim with the pink dolphins, visit to native village. You can also visit the Bosque da Ciencias or the CIGS zoo or go to the Punta Negra beach. It's also interesting to visit the fish market down by the river early in the morning. We've done all of these on stops in Manaus.

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Been to several fish markets throughout Asia so will probably skip this one unless the fish are unique. Want to see meeting of the waters (we love confluences) and hike through the jungle. Also, I’ve sent an email to Tropical Tree Climbers to see if we have time to climb a tree.

 

Tell me about the water lilies...

 

 

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There's an interesting zoo in Manaus. It is on the base of, and run by, the military. Has all the jungle animals, many which were somehow caught up as a result of the military activities. They use the area for their jungle training. Saw a black jaguar, regular jaguars swimming around in a large water facility which has pedestrian bridge over it that allowed looking down on the cats swimming around in the water and thoroughly enjoying it. Also, the big snakes- I don't recall whether anacondas, pythons or what, but would not want to encounter one on my own. Many various primates, and other unique creatures. Loved it.

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  • 1 month later...

For anyone looking to book a private tour from Manaus port i can fully recommend "Manausbooking.com" We have just used them for a half day city tour and a day speedboat tour . The latter was great as it included swimming with pink dolphins optional). short hike to see the giant lily pads at Lake January, lunch, seeing The meeting of the Waters and much more. A great day, they stand at the port entry if you havent prebooked.

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  • 4 months later...

From the CNN news network last fall, they had this headline: “Best things to do in Manaus with these highlights: A city of 1.8 million people surrounded by 2 million square miles of Amazon jungle more than 1,500 miles from Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, it doesn't get as many tourists as those two cities. Manaus is a gold mine of brightly colored architecture, riverfront views and world-class eating, minus the huge crowds. At the turn of the 20th century, Manaus was the center of a lucrative global trade in rubber. Today, it's the gateway for thousands of tourists seeking Amazon jungle adventures at the many lodges outside the city.

 

For a key attraction we loved in Manaus, this article shared: "Manaus' Amazonas Theater (aka Teatro Amazonas or simply The Opera House) is an opulent ode to the rubber boom of the 1800s when rubber barons and the local government had more money than they knew what to do with. Some of that windfall was used for the construction of the theater. It took 15 years to complete and includes tiles, stained glass and other elements brought from Europe."

 

Many more details and pictures of Manaus are on my live/blog that is connected below. Will try to share a few visual samples on this thread that can be helpful for those planning future travel in this amazing part of the world.

 

Full story at:

http://www.cnn.com/travel/article/manaus-brazil-things-to-do/index.html

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

From our Jan. 25-Feb. 20, 2015, Amazon River-Caribbean adventure that started in Barbados, here is the link for that live/blog. Many visuals from this amazing river and Caribbean Islands (Dutch ABC's, St. Barts, Dominica, Grenada, San Juan, etc.):

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2157696

Now at 57,679 views for these postings.

Edited by TLCOhio
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Here are a few of my visual samples from in and around Manaus. Such an amazing and interesting city. Many more pictures starting on page six of my live/blog.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Enjoyed a 14-day, Jan. 20-Feb. 3, 2014, Sydney to Auckland adventure, getting a big sampling for the wonders of "down under” before and after this cruise. Go to:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1974139

for more info and many pictures of these amazing sights in this great part of the world. Now at 208,691 views for this posting

 

Here was our first sight of the Manaus area as our ship approached. This is the industrial area east of this large city of nearly two million people. In the background, you can see the 12,500' bridge that was opened in October 2011 to cross the Rio Negro. This dramatic bridge connects to towns south of Manaus, but not to another locations or cities in the main, more populated areas of Brazil.

(Open your screen/viewer wider to see these pictures larger/better!)

FebAmazPixBB31_zpsnm4imgoc.jpg

 

Here is a sampling of visuals from the exterior of their Opera House and its nearby buildings/neighbors, the park in front of this structure, a nearby church, etc. Finally is a view from the second floor of the Opera House show the nearby areas, plus, as a bonus, a colorful rainbow!!:

FebAmazPixBB40_zpsz1k2cvz3.jpg

 

FebAmazPixBB42_zpsoyddmsqm.jpg

 

FebAmazPixBB44_zpss6w1q8d8.jpg

 

FebAmazPixBB41_zpssm2khgzz.jpg

 

FebAmazPixBB51_zpscdxkzyk5.jpg

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Here is more "eye candy" from Manaus. Hopefully this will help building excitement if you are planning to visit there for the first time or to bring back nice memories if you have been there previously.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio.

 

For details and visuals, etc., from our July 1-16, 2010, Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise experience from Copenhagen on the Silver Cloud, check out this posting. This posting is now at 228,524 views.

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1227923

 

Here are only two of my visual samples for the interior of their famed Opera House in Manaus. The second view is from one of the two grand boxes that were immediately overlooking the stage for the rich rubber barons who lived here during the peak years of their economy.:

(Open your screen/viewer wider to see these pictures larger/better!)

FebAmazPixBB45_zpsab2cx6pj.jpg

 

FebAmazPixBB48_zpsybnzbibd.jpg

Here is just one sample from our little "walk" in the rainforest 60 miles north of Manaus. Fortunately, no rain for us. But, we would have other challenges. When you walk into the "jungle", you get out of the sun and can really feel things not being as hot. BUT, it was still very humid. Christine, our guide from Amazon Ecco Adventure Tours, did an excellent job and was super hard-working as we "progressed" along these complicated trails that gave us a taste from being an explorer like Indiana Jones.:

FebAmazRainForA23_zps4zyvac24.jpg

 

Before going ashore in Manaus on our last day there, this is one of the views while having breakfast. We could see many of the nearby smaller "commuter" ships being loaded with goods and people. We were docked right in the "heart" for all of the port "action"!!:

ManausRealLifeA24_zpsnb6s4ujy.jpg

 

Visiting the markets of Manaus, including those that are more for wholesale fish, produce, etc., was both fund and interesting. Plus, free to do on our own. First shown is a typical local food, take-away style place. The next picture shows some from the fish market that was stimulating to experience, sample the human interactions, etc.:

ManausRealLifeA21_zpsce8iibla.jpg

 

ManausRealLifeA19_zpscxmhgkyt.jpg

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  • 1 year later...

From Forbes magazine three days ago, they had this headline: “Ten Bucket List Trips For The Next Decade” with this opening highlight for this listing of great potential future travel options: “With the imminent arrival of the Roaring Twenties, why not give your travel life a jolt? New decade, new you... New travel plans..

 

One of these top ten tips was for doing the Amazon, Manaus, etc.  Here is their headline: "Discover Amazonas, From Manaus To The Amazon Rainforest" .  Hare are some of their profile highlights: "2019 was the year that Brazil officially did away with its tourist visa requirement for Americans, so to say the next decade will be an easier time to visit is only one reason why this country is on our list. What about the city known as the Paris of the jungle? We're talking, of course, of Manaus, the capital of Amazonas. And you can't visit Manaus without venturing into the wilds of the Amazon, the most magnificent wilderness on earth. Spend an afternoon exploring the incongruous blend of gilded opulence (architecture lovers will rejoice) and seaside city life (the fish market will satisfy even the most discerning foodie.)"

 

Yes, this spotlighting of the Amazon and Manaus brings back wonderful memories from visiting there in 2015. 

 

Full story at:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/katherineparkermagyar/2019/12/11/2020-travel-goals-10-bucket-list-trips-for-the-next-decade/#19b69f8d5f9d

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

From late 2018, see “Holy Lands, Egypt, Jordan, Oman, Dubai, Greece, etc.”, with many visuals, details and ideas for the historic and scenic Middle East. Now at 16,867 views.  Connect at:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2607054-livenautica-greece-holy-lands-egypt-dubai-terrypix’s/

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  • 2 years later...

We have a cruise from San Juan, PR to Manaus and are considering either staying in Manaus extra days or taking another smaller boat cruise further up river from there.  I am so excited to have found this topic on the boards.  I see a couple people are still following.  Thank you for all this input.  I will read it all.

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On 7/22/2018 at 1:48 PM, TLCOhio said:

Here are a few of my visual samples from in and around Manaus. Such an amazing and interesting city. Many more pictures starting on page six of my live/blog.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Enjoyed a 14-day, Jan. 20-Feb. 3, 2014, Sydney to Auckland adventure, getting a big sampling for the wonders of "down under” before and after this cruise. Go to:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1974139

for more info and many pictures of these amazing sights in this great part of the world. Now at 208,691 views for this posting

 

Here was our first sight of the Manaus area as our ship approached. This is the industrial area east of this large city of nearly two million people. In the background, you can see the 12,500' bridge that was opened in October 2011 to cross the Rio Negro. This dramatic bridge connects to towns south of Manaus, but not to another locations or cities in the main, more populated areas of Brazil.

(Open your screen/viewer wider to see these pictures larger/better!)

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm271/tlcohio/tlcohio074/FebAmazPixBB31_zpsnm4imgoc.jpg

 

Here is a sampling of visuals from the exterior of their Opera House and its nearby buildings/neighbors, the park in front of this structure, a nearby church, etc. Finally is a view from the second floor of the Opera House show the nearby areas, plus, as a bonus, a colorful rainbow!!:

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm271/tlcohio/tlcohio074/FebAmazPixBB40_zpsz1k2cvz3.jpg

 

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm271/tlcohio/tlcohio074/FebAmazPixBB42_zpsoyddmsqm.jpg

 

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm271/tlcohio/tlcohio074/FebAmazPixBB44_zpss6w1q8d8.jpg

 

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm271/tlcohio/tlcohio074/FebAmazPixBB41_zpssm2khgzz.jpg

 

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm271/tlcohio/tlcohio074/FebAmazPixBB51_zpscdxkzyk5.jpg

@TLCOhioHi, I cannot get to your Live Amazon report on Cruise Critic.  I get a warning for that hackers could have access.  The only Live one I can reach is Australia.  Also went to the Live section on CC and they only go back to 2020.

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