I will be taking this trip with my mom in mid December. After the trip is over I'd like to spend time on a beach near the ocean, something very scenic. Any suggestions as to where to go and stay? Budget would be under $250 per night, would like to spend New Year's there.
http://www.rei.com/adventures/trips/latin/amc.html

PS- One other question, I'd like to learn a little of the language, Brazilian Portuguese I believe. Is Rosetta Stone a decent program for doing so?

http://www.iberostar.com/EN/Manaus-h...azon_3_32.html

Grand Amazon light years better than what you are looking at

Rio post cruise good values in your budget at Ipanema

www.expedia.com

www.booking.com

www.agoda.com

www.priceline.com

Book early over New Years...

Rosetta Stone is good but very expensive

and you do not own just lease the software

so you can never re-sell it...

www.amazon.com many other good more cost-effective

language learning options.

I'm not fond of big cruise ships, would rather be on a small boat. Thanks for the information, will check out amazon for cost and reviews.

Try Byki Express from Transparent Language. It's the free starter program, and if you like it you can move up to more expensive modules. I was very impressed. Just remember to specify that you want Brazilian Portuguese.