- Destinations
- South America
- Brazil
- The Amazon
The Amazon
The Amazon is a vast rainforest, the largest on the planet,
comprising an expansive system of rivers that covers more than half
of Brazil, and invades large tracts of its neighbouring countries.
The Amazon River and its tributaries together create approximately
30,888 square miles (80,000 sq km) of navigable river systems.
Large areas of the Amazon forest still remain unexplored, however,
and tens of thousands of rare and unknown species of animals,
birds, insects, fish and plants are sheltered in and beneath the
thick tree canopies.
The Rio Solimoes is a powerful navigable stretch of river that
enters Brazil from Peru, just above the city of Manaus. Close to
the city, the light brown muddy river meets the Rio Negro with its
darker waters and the two converge to form the mighty Rio Amazonas,
which flows through Brazil to the city of Belem.
Manaus is the gateway for excursions into the jungle and river
system, situated as it is in the middle of the forest. From the
city, scores of operators run day trips and longer boat tours for
visitors wishing to experience Amazonian flora and fauna and meet
the 'caboclos' (residents of the river towns). The city itself does
not have many attractions, apart from some interesting buildings
like its opulent and famous opera house, which dates from the
height of the rubber boom in 1896. As the commercial hub of the
state of Amazonas, it is very busy, with a noisy and crowded port
and several bustling markets.
Belem is the other major starting point for Amazon exploration
with its busy port, small airport, and bus station. Located on the
coast, it has a large number of indentations, estuaries, and
islands that can be worthwhile to explore. It has a few scenic
buildings as well, but more interesting are the markets near the
quay.
The Amazon lacks a good tourism infrastructure in the form of
good hotels and reliable transportation, but ecotourism is gaining
in popularity there, and contributing to the enrichment of the
local peoples.
Information & Facts
Climate
The climate in the Amazon is fairly stable, with average
temperatures of around 80°F (26°C) all year long. The year is
divided into the rainy season, which lasts from December to June,
and the dry season from July to November. Being close to the
equator, the sun is strong and sunscreen is essential.
Language
The spoken language in Brazil is Portuguese, however
Spanish and English are also used in the cities.
Money
The Brazilian monetary unit is the real (BRL), plural reais.
There are 100 centavos to the real. The US dollar is also welcome
in most tourist establishments. In the main cities foreign
currencies and travellers cheques can be exchanged at banks or
cambios. There is an extensive network of ATMs in the
country and most major international credit cards are accepted.
Sightseeing
The Amazon's attractions are few, if you're looking for bustling
nightlife, luxury shopping trips, and fancy restaurants. If you're
looking for natural wonders though, there are more things to see
and do in the Amazon than one person could do in a lifetime.
The Amazon is one of the world's greatest natural wonders, home
to 2.5 million insect species, tens of thousands of plants, and
some 2, 000 different kinds of birds and mammals. Scarlet macaws,
jaguars, giant anacondas, poison dart frogs, piranhas, electric
eels... the list is endless.
As a reaction to deforestation and climate change, the Amazon's
tourist industry has started moving toward ecotourism, which
benefits the local people while providing an unforgettable
experience for visitors. The impact on the environment is always
important to consider when travelling to undeveloped areas, and
asking for sustainable options like non-motorised boats and trained
nature guides can make a big difference.
Because the Amazon is so large, there are many different areas
that are each fascinating and worthwhile in their own way. Manaus
is the largest city in the Amazon, with around two million
inhabitants. It is a great place to start in the Amazon, as you can
find plenty of boat and land trips into the jungle from there. It
has a variety of parks, beaches, a zoo, and the Amazonas Opera
House. It will be a host city for the 2014 World Cup. There are a
number of lodges within range of Manaus that cater for tourists,
varying in quality.
Belem is much smaller, with beautiful colonial architecture
dominating the sights. Belem has a number of interesting natural
indentations and islands on its coast, and several bustling
markets, including the Ver-o-Peso, and the Iron Market, both near
the waterfront.
There are many protected area and national parks within the
Amazon that provide great opportunities to interact with nature.
Mamirauá Sustainable Development Reserve near Tefe is a protected
area covered in swamp and flooded forest accessible by canoe. Its
infrastructure is set up for ecotourism, including a unique
floating lodge. Cabo Orange National Park is the only protected
area of the Amazon on the coastline, so the flora and fauna there
is slightly different. Infrastructure is lacking, but you can visit
it from the nearby Oiapoque City. Cantão State Park has better
facilities for tourists and an interesting ecosystem that
transitions from plains to rainforest.
The sun is strong close to the equator, especially in the
summer, so make sure to bring protection. Be careful not to take
any plants, animals, or seeds out of the rainforest, as smuggling
is a big problem in the region and the authorities won't hesitate
to prosecute. The Amazon is rural and a very poor place, so don't
expect to use credit cards out of the cities. Tourists are
overcharged as a rule, but you are free to haggle most places.
Time
Brazil spans four time zones: Rio and Sao Paulo: GMT -2 (GMT
-3 April to October); Brasilia and Belm: GMT -3 (GMT -2 October to
March); GMT -4 in the West.