MANAUS

Manaus is the capital of the state of Amazonas in Brazil, and it is a launch point for people venturing into the Amazon.

While the European colonization of the Amazon began in 1499, the development of Manaus didn’t really take off until 1693 with the erection of the Fort of Sao Jose do Rio Negro. The population grew around the fort, and continued to boom in the 1800s when Manaus became the focal point for the Amazon region’s rubber boom. It was a city of opulence, epitomized by building the Teatro Amazonas opera house from imported marble, glass, and crystal. Alas, smuggled rubber seeds broke Brazil’s monopoly on rubber, and the region fell into poverty.

Now that you know about Manaus’s past, you can dive into appreciated the city in the present.

The heart of Manaus is São Sebastião Plaza. This bustling space paved in black and white stones is surrounded by São Sebastião Church, Teatro Amazona, and colorful colonial homes. Nearby you’ll find the striking Metropolitan Cathedral. Another must-see is the Palacio Rio Negro, which was built by a German rubber baron in the early 1900s.

Other highlights of the city include the Galeria do Largo, which is home to an extensive art collection, and Usina Chamine Cultural Center. Want a taste of local life? Be sure to call into the Mercado Adolpho Lisboa. Looking to learn about history? Take a 5 minute taxi right to Museu do Homem do Norte (anthropology museum.) Eager to see nature? Head to Bosque da Ciencia (science forest) to see monkeys, sloths, turtles, and even manatees.