Getting Here and Around

Brigadeiro Eduardo Gomes Airport is 17 km (10 miles) north of downtown. Most flights connect in São Paulo. Azul, TAM and GOL have regular flights to and from Brasília, Rio, and São Paulo. The trip to Manaus Centro from the airport by taxi takes 25 minutes and is a fixed rate of R$65. A trip on one of the city buses, which depart regularly during the day and early evening, costs R$3 for a normal bus and R$4.75 for an air-conditioned one.

If you're looking for a boat from Manaus to another town, a lodge, or a beach, go to the Hidroviária Regional Terminal. At the ticket or tourist information booths you can get information about prices and departure times and days to all the locations. You can also walk down to Porto Flutuante via the bridge behind the terminal to take a look at the regional boats. Their destinations and departure times are listed on plaques.

MACAMAZON boats run from Manaus to Santarém daily (Monday to Saturday) and Amazon Star has departures on Wednesday and Friday from the Porto São Raimundo (west of downtown) or the Porto Flutuante. The journey takes two days and costs around R$147 for a hammock and R$700 for a two-person cabin. Boats from Manaus to Belém follow the same route and run twice a week; the trip takes five days and costs R$326 for a hammock, and R$1,000 for a two-person cabin.

The bus station in Manaus, Terminal Rodoviário Huascar Angelim, is 7 km (4 miles) north of the city center. From Manaus, BR 174 runs north (471 miles) to Boa Vista in Roraima State. BR 319 travels south to Porto Velho in Rondônia State but involves a ferry crossing and is only paved for about 100 km (63 miles); the road is eventually invaded by rivers and lakes. Even if you're after adventure, don't think about driving to Porto Velho.

The city bus system is extensive, easy to use, and inexpensive (R$3). Most of the useful buses run along Avenida Floriano Peixoto, including Bus 120, which goes to Ponta Negra and stops near the Hotel Tropical. From the airport a taxi to Hotel Tropical costs R$65; a trip from the Tropical to the center of town also costs R$65. Manaus has its share of traffic and parking problems, but the driving is calmer than in Belém.