Even though Manaus is 900 miles from the ocean, it is a major world port on the largest river in the world, receiving large ocean going vessels daily, including a cruise ship from Miami at least once a week and daily container ships from around the world.

This city of 2 million is also a major industrial city with major international manufacturers having operations here in the Manaus free trade zone.

Most people only think of Manaus as a gateway to the Amazon "Jungle" (the locals don't call it the jungle, it's the interior). It is certainly that. The Amazon basin is large containing:

5% of the earth’s surface
20% of the world’s fresh water
33% of the world’s rainforests
10% of the world’s flora and fauna
4% of the world’s supply of carbon used in fossil fuels of the industrialized nations
60% of the territory of Brasil
40% of the territory of South America
.4% of the world’s population

Many people come here for the scenery, the chance to be in the wild, the chance to fish, and the fishing is awesome, but people also come here for the culture. For example, our opera house was opened in 1896 and still in operation.

Manaus is currently going through reformation in preparation for the coming of the World Cup in 2014.

I have had a wonderful full up day at the river, in Amazonia. The day began with a tour of the meeting waters between the river Negro and river Solimões. It is really fantastic the straight line formed between the black (Negro) part of the water and the brown one, from Solimões river. After that we went to see the Victoria Regia plant, that green, circular and lovely plant that grows in Amazonia rivers. Fantastic. And at last but not the least we went to a float restaurant, just in the middle of the river next to the jungle where we had a wonderful lunch. The fishing of the “piranha” fish, after lunch, was very quit and peaceful just in a canoe in the middle of the river. And the best was when that guy next to me fished a very big “piranha”. It was really a fantastic day. All the guides were on time, and the guide of the piranha fishingwas incredible.

I have to reccomend all travelers www.amazingtours.com.br
Email:amazonjungle@amazingtours.com.br

They were great!!!

If you are in Manaus you have to take a tour to the jungle. It's a really great experience. But beware. It's a lot of travel agencies that is offering the same tours with diferent prices, and many of them are bullshit. The best is to check with locals, hostels, hotels and compare different prices and what they can offer you.
You can do a really touristified tours or you can do more hardcore tour in to the jungle. It's all up to you. But don't overestimate yourself. The jungle is hard.
I recommend this travel agency: www.amazonriders.com
They have a location with the best fauna and wildlife. And the guides there are really great. The pictures i uploaded it's from my 5 day tour in the jungle.

A maior e mais preservada floresta tropical do mundo. A maior reserva de água doce em superfície. O maior banco genético. Venha conhecer o maior desafio do desenvolvimento sustentável do mundo.

It's a must for all travelers! Sleep in hammocks, build up your own base, bind your plate out of palmtree leaves and crave your own spoon! See what its nature teaches you!