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Brazil (Amazon)
This is a huge, green world centered around the biggest river on Earth. You can take boat rides to spot pink dolphins and hear the deep sounds of the jungle.
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Summary
Did you know?
Meeting of Waters – Two massive rivers run side-by-side for miles without mixing because one is muddy and fast, while the other is clear and slow.
Overview
Months
June, July, August, September, October, November, December
Vacation type
Beach, Couple, Family, Rainforest, Safari
Expenses
<100€, <150€, <200€, Over 200€
Temperature
25-30°C
Rainfall
0-50mm, 50-100mm, 100-150mm
Safety
Medium
Continent
South America
Currency
Real
Languages
Portuguese
Currency Converter
When to visit
The most pleasant time to visit the Brazilian Amazon is the dry season, running from June to November. During this period, the Amazon River and its massive tributaries drop by up to 15 meters. This exposes thousands of kilometers of white freshwater sand beaches and makes unpaved overland routes—like the BR-163 highway down to Sinop—actually drivable. Humidity drops slightly, and mosquitoes are less prevalent.
The off-peak wet season (December to May) severely restricts logistics. Heavy, daily monsoon rains cause the river systems to flood the surrounding forests (creating igapós). While this allows small boats to navigate directly through the jungle canopy, it wipes out freshwater beaches completely. Overland travel between eastern logistical hubs like Imperatriz, Araguaína, and the deep Amazon becomes highly unpredictable due to deep mud and washed-out bridges.
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Plan the whole vacation, including flights, transportation, hotels and tours with Expedia *
Climate Data
Peak Season (June to November)
Average Sunny Hours per Day: 7 to 9 hours.
Rain Frequency: 4 to 8 days per month.
Rainy Hours per Day: 1 to 2 hours.
Intensity: Brief, heavy afternoon showers.
Duration: Rain clears fast. River levels hit their lowest in October and November, fully exposing sandbanks.
Off-Peak Season (December to May)
Average Sunny Hours per Day: 4 to 6 hours.
Rain Frequency: 18 to 24 days per month.
Rainy Hours per Day: 4 to 6 hours.
Intensity: Violent, prolonged tropical downpours.
Duration: Consistent rain that severely limits outdoor trekking and turns the southern agribusiness frontiers in Mato Grosso and Tocantins into mud traps.
Climate Chart
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Data Source: Global Historical Climatology Network
ClimateCharts.net
Weather, Crowds and Costs
Per one person
Tourist Season: July-November (Dry Season)
Budget Vacation ($60-100/day)
Accommodation: $15-30/night (hostel beds in Manaus, hammock space on public riverboats).
Food: $10-20/day (street food like tapioca, traditional pay-by-weight buffets).
Activities: $10-20/day (walking through city markets, taking local ferries across the river).
Transportation: $20-30/day (public buses, cheap hammock tickets on slow cargo boats).
Other Costs: $5/day (bottled water, strong mosquito repellent).
Mid-Range Vacation ($150-250/day)
Accommodation: $70-120/night (comfortable air-conditioned hotels in towns, simple jungle lodges).
Food: $30-50/day (local fish restaurants, regional craft beer).
Activities: $30-60/day (guided day trips into the jungle, boat tours to the meeting of the waters).
Transportation: $15-20/day (ride-sharing apps in cities, domestic bus tickets between eastern towns).
Other Costs: $10/day (açaí bowls, tips for guides).
Luxury Vacation ($500-1,200+/day)
Accommodation: $300-800+/night (all-inclusive luxury eco-lodges deep in the forest, boutique colonial hotels in São Luís).
Food: $100-200/day (fine dining in Manaus using rare Amazonian ingredients).
Activities: $100-300+/day (private motorized canoe tours, sport fishing expeditions).
Transportation: $100-300+/day (domestic flights to skip long boat rides, private transfers).
Other Costs: $30+/day (indigenous art, premium cocktails).
Off-Peak Season: December-June (Wet Season)
Budget Vacation ($50-80/day)
Accommodation: $15-25/night (off-season hostel rates).
Food: $10-20/day (supermarket food, local bakeries).
Activities: $5-10/day (free city museums, local markets).
Transportation: $15-25/day (local buses, hammock riverboats).
Other Costs: $5/day (rain ponchos).
Mid-Range Vacation ($120-200/day)
Accommodation: $60-100/night (discounted hotel rates).
Food: $25-45/day (indoor cafes, local restaurants).
Activities: $30-50/day (indoor cultural tours, short boat trips between rain showers).
Transportation: $15-20/day (ride-sharing apps).
Other Costs: $10/day (wet weather gear, coffee).
Luxury Vacation ($400-900+/day)
Accommodation: $250-600+/night (luxury river cruise cabins).
Food: $80-150/day (lodge dining).
Activities: $100-250/day (guided canoe trips through the flooded forest canopy).
Transportation: $100-200/day (private transfers, flights).
Other Costs: $20/day (spa treatments at lodges).
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You can find accomendations that fit your trip and budget on Booking.com, Vrbo and Hotels.com
Best Regions to visit
Cities
1. Manaus
- The largest city in the Amazon, sitting in the middle of the jungle. It is the main starting point for forest expeditions and features a famous 19th-century opera house built during the rubber boom.
2. Belém
- The vibrant gateway to the Amazon River, famous for its historic waterfront market, colonial buildings, and authentic jungle food.
3. Macapá
- A unique, isolated city sitting exactly on the Equator. You can only reach it by boat or plane to see its massive river fortress.
4. Alter do Chão (Santarém)
- A small town on the Tapajós River, often called the "Caribbean of the Amazon." During the dry season, the river drops to reveal beautiful white-sand beaches right in the middle of the rainforest.
Manaus
Did you know?
Walking Trees – Certain palm trees can slowly move their roots over years to chase sunlight, walking a few centimeters away from bad spots.
Islands
1. Ilha do Marajó
- A massive island at the mouth of the Amazon River that is the size of Switzerland. It is famous for its large herds of water buffalo, which the local police even use for patrols.
2. Ilha do Bananal
- The largest river island in the world, located in the southern part of the region. It is a huge ecological reserve mixing Amazon rainforest with savanna, perfect for seeing rare wildlife.
3. Ilha do Amor
- A small, famous sandbank island right across from Alter do Chão. It is the most popular river beach destination in the entire Amazon during the dry season.
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Find the perfect place to stay in any of these top cities and islands with Booking.com, Hotels.com and Vrbo – offering entire homes and apartments for a comfortable and private experience.
Things to see
Natural Attractions
1. Encontro das Águas (Meeting of the Waters)
- Just outside Manaus, the black water of the Rio Negro and the sandy water of the Amazon River run side-by-side for 6 kilometers without mixing.
2. Anavilhanas Archipelago
- One of the world's largest freshwater archipelagos. It contains hundreds of islands and forms a confusing, beautiful maze of jungle and water.
Historical and Cultural Sites
1. Teatro Amazonas
- A massive, pink-and-white Renaissance opera house in the center of Manaus. It was built in 1896 using materials imported from Europe, paid for by the region's massive rubber wealth.
2. Historic Centre of São Luís
- A UNESCO World Heritage site featuring thousands of historic Portuguese colonial buildings covered in detailed, hand-painted ceramic tiles (azulejos).
3. Mercado Ver-o-Peso
- Located in Belém. It is the largest open-air market in Latin America, selling giant fish, exotic fruits, and traditional Amazonian herbal medicines.
Unique Experiences
1. Sleeping in the Jungle
- You can join survival tours where local indigenous guides teach you how to set up a hammock camp deep in the forest and find fresh water in vines.
2. Swimming with Pink River Dolphins
- In the rivers near Manaus, you can get in the water with wild Amazon river dolphins (Botos). They are naturally pink and very curious.
3. Riding the Hammock Boats
- Taking a multi-day journey on a regional riverboat. Hundreds of passengers sleep side-by-side in colorful hammocks swinging on the open-air decks.
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The best way to explore major cities and must-see attractions is by booking guided tours.* They offer convenience, local insights, and often save time when visiting popular sights.
Unique Accomondations/Foodspots
Accommodations
Anavilhanas Jungle Lodge
Location: Rio Negro, Amazonas, Brazil
A luxury wilderness lodge nestled on the banks of the massive Rio Negro directly opposite the world's largest freshwater archipelago, featuring private elevated forest cottages, river view bungalows, and immersive jungle excursions.
Restaurants / Bars
Banzeiro
Location: Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
A celebrated culinary institution dedicated to regional Amazonian heritage, renowned for introducing exotic river fish like tambaqui and matrinxã, wild jungle roots, and indigenous ingredients to contemporary Brazilian fine dining.
Tours to do
1. The Trans-Amazonian Edge
- A rugged overland route heading south from the Amazon through Pará down the BR-163 highway. You will see deep jungle transition into massive farming landscapes.
Best Time: July to September (Dry season is mandatory to avoid mud).
Average Cost: $800 – $1,200 per person
Amazon Rainforest
How to get around
1. Riverboats and Ferries
- The main way locals travel. Boats range from slow ferries where you string up your own hammock, to fast modern catamarans.
2. Domestic Aviation
- The only fast way to cover the massive distances. Airlines like LATAM, Gol, and Azul connect all the major regional cities.
3. 4WD and Highway Driving
- Roads in the deep Amazon are mostly dirt and become impassable mud pits in the wet season. A 4WD is mandatory outside of major city limits.
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You can find great car rental deals for your vacation on Expedia *
Did you know?
Underwater River – Deep beneath the actual Amazon River, scientists found a slow-moving underground water current that is just as long.
What to eat
1. Açaí (Traditional Style)
- In the Amazon, açaí is eaten pure, unsweetened, and at room temperature. It is served as a savory side dish alongside fried fish and cassava flour.
2. Tambaqui
- A giant, round river fish. Locals roast the massive ribs over a charcoal fire. It is rich, fatty, and considered one of the best fish in Brazil.
3. Tacacá
- A hot street food soup made from wild cassava broth, dried shrimp, and jambu—a local leafy green that naturally numbs your mouth and lips.
4. Tapioca
- A popular street food made from a white cassava flour crepe, filled with melted cheese, coconut, or dried meat.
Tambaqui
Flights
Flight prices are approximate and vary by departure city, airline, and booking time. Check airlines or travel platforms for the latest details.
* Please note: All prices are rough estimates for orientation purposes only and may vary by region.
Main Airport: Manaus International Airport (MAO)
Flight Prices and Seasons:
From Europe:
- Average Round-Trip Cost: $900 to $1,500 (Usually requires a connection in São Paulo or Lisbon).
- Cheapest Months: March and November.
- Peak Prices: July, August, and late December.
From North America:
- Average Round-Trip Cost: $700 to $1,200 (Direct flights are available from Florida to Manaus).
- Cheapest Months: February and October.
- Peak Prices: December and July.
From Asia:
- Average Round-Trip Cost: $1,500 to $2,500 (Requires two connections, usually via the Middle East and São Paulo).
- Cheapest Months: May and September.
- Peak Prices: Lunar New Year and July.
From Australia
- Average Round-Trip Cost: $1,400 to $2,200 (Connect via Santiago, Chile, then through São Paulo to Manaus).
- Cheapest Months: May and November.
- Peak Prices: December and January.
From Africa:
- Average Round-Trip Cost: $1,000 to $1,700 (Fly direct from Johannesburg or Luanda to São Paulo, then connect north).
- Cheapest Months: March and October.
- Peak Prices: December.
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You can find the best flight deals with Skyscanner or plan the whole vacation, including flights, transportation, hotels and tours with Expedia *
Airport Location
Visa
1. Visa Requirement
- Most travelers need a visa to enter Brazil, including citizens of the U.S., Canada, and Australia, while citizens of some EU countries can enter visa-free.
2. Visa-Free Countries
- Citizens of Argentina, Chile, Colombia, and several other South American countries can enter Brazil without a visa for stays of up to 90 days.
3. Visa Application
- Travelers from countries that require a visa must apply at a Brazilian embassy or consulate before traveling.
4. Types of Visa
- Commonly issued as tourist visas (valid for up to 90 days) or business visas.
5. Processing Time
- Visa processing can take from a few days to a few weeks, so it's advisable to apply well in advance.
6. Duration of Stay
- Tourist visas usually allow stays of up to 90 days, with the possibility of extensions.
7. Health Requirements
- A Yellow Fever vaccination is highly recommended for the entire Amazon region. Malaria is present in rural areas; consult a doctor about anti-malarial pills. Use strong insect repellent.
Important things to know
1. Payments
- The local currency is the Brazilian Real (BRL). Credit cards are widely accepted, especially in urban areas.
2. Tap Water
- Tap water is generally not safe to drink in many areas. Bottled water is recommended.
3. Electricity
- The voltage is 127V or 220V, depending on the region. Plug types C and N (two round pins) are used. An adapter may be needed for devices from other regions.
4. Tipping in Restaurants
- Tipping is customary, with 10-15% being standard for good service in restaurants.
5. SIM Cards
- Local SIM cards are available from providers like Vivo, TIM, and Claro. They can be purchased at stores, offering various prepaid data plans.
6. Driving Side
- In Brazil, people drive on the right side of the road.
Souveniers
1. Marajoara Pottery
- Originating from Marajó Island, this ancient style of ceramic pottery features complex geometric patterns painted in natural dyes.
2. Guaraná Powder
- The ground seeds of the guaraná plant are sold in local markets. It is a potent, natural energy stimulant that locals mix into water.
3. Indigenous Basketry
- Many river communities sell beautiful woven baskets made from palm leaves and small animals hand-carved from heavy Brazilian woods.
4. Cachaça & Caipirinha Kit
- Cachaça is the key ingredient in Brazil’s famous caipirinha cocktail. Buy a high-quality bottle along with a wooden muddler and lime for the full experience.
Cachaça
Location
Reviews
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