Tour guides Brazil > Amazonia

5 ideas for guided tours in Amazonia

• Manaus

  

  In the heart of the forest, Manaus is a remarkable city where modern life meets lush nature. It’s the perfect gateway to venture into the vast Amazon.

  Its heritage is striking, starting with the Teatro Amazonas, a masterpiece from the rubber boom era. This building, crowned with a multicolored dome inspired by the Renaissance, reflects the grandeur of another age.

  Next, witness the unique natural phenomenon of the Negro and Solimões rivers: their waters—one dark, the other earthy—flow side by side without mixing. Not far away, the Janauari Ecological Park immerses you in thriving nature. Glide among flooded trees, look out for pink dolphins, and spot sloths and birds tucked into the foliage.

  Finally, make a stop at the Mercado Municipal, lively and fragrant. Between tropical fruits, spices, and local specialties like grilled tambaqui or tacacá, your senses will be delighted.

• Anavilhanas Archipelago

  

  Scattered across the Rio Negro, more than 400 islands make up this still unspoiled archipelago. The Anavilhanas Archipelago is a paradise for those who love wildlife, winding rivers, and authentic encounters.

  Paddle through channels lined with flooded forests, where monkeys leap from branch to branch. Overhead, the sky fills with the colors of blue macaws and vultures. By canoe or on foot, every turn reveals something alive: a wild orchid in bloom, the call of a howler monkey, a hidden waterfall.

  A guided hike takes you along trails dotted with natural pools and centuries-old trees. Out on the river, stop at the floating village of Acajatuba. Here, the locals share their daily lives with simplicity, rooted in traditions and harmony with their environment.

• Marajó Island

  

  Between jungle, beaches, and free-roaming buffalo, the island of Marajó feels like a world apart. Start with Joanes Beach, a wide stretch of golden sand where the ocean slowly retreats. At dawn, fishermen pull in their nets full of catch while children play in the surf.

  At Pesqueiro Beach, water buffalo wander peacefully. Their massive silhouettes give the island its unique atmosphere, a blend of tradition and raw nature.

  In the village of Salvaterra, discover Marajoara ceramics, remnants of an ancient art passed down through the centuries. Each piece, adorned with sacred patterns and animal symbols, tells a fragment of the local Indigenous history.

• Sao Luis

  

  Capital of Maranhão, São Luis pulses with a unique blend of colonial heritage and Afro-Brazilian culture, carried by the winds of the Atlantic.

  Lose yourself in the historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage site, where houses covered in colorful azulejos tell stories of centuries past. In the cobbled streets, you move at the city’s unhurried pace until you reach Gonçalves Dias Square, lively and resonant with the voices of street musicians and wandering vendors. Try a freshly grilled tapioca, sweet or savory, depending on your mood.

  From Praia Grande, the view stretches toward the horizon. Walking along Calhau Beach, among joggers, surfers, and families, you breathe in the seaside air. And to dive into the soul of São Luis, step into the Museu Histórico e Artístico do Maranhão: a capsule of local memory, stories, and colors.

• Santarém

  

  Where waters and traditions meet, Santarém offers a journey between merging rivers, freshwater beaches, and deep forests. With a local guide, let yourself be led off the beaten path.

  Begin with the Encontro das Águas, where the clear waters of the Tapajós meet the darker flow of the Amazon. Two worlds brush past one another without mixing—a silent, mesmerizing spectacle.

  Continue on to Alter do Chão, a small village edged by a sandy beach nicknamed the “Caribbean of the Amazon.” The water is clear, the pace unhurried. You swim, you rest, you lose track of time.

  Then venture into the Flona do Tapajós. This vast reserve reveals itself on foot. Along the trails, towering green giants rise above you, birdsong follows your steps, and now and then the scent of wildflowers catches you off guard. Each step becomes a dialogue with the forest.