The magical Brazilian Amazonia - all the tips for a safe and economical trip. Tours. Stays and more

In this video, I'll show you a bit of everything I visited in the Brazilian Amazonia and share my tips for traveling this region more economically and safely. Prices are in the local currency: Brazilian Real.
I arrived in Manaus by plane and from the airport I took an Uber to the Hostel in the centre which cost me $R35, 3 times cheaper than the cab. The airport has Wi-Fi.
I stayed at the Local Hostel which is right next to the Theatre, the safest and most interesting area of Manaus. Although it's expensive ($R85 a night on average) it's well worth it. And the breakfast is unmissable. Between tours I always stayed there and it became a home for me. I tried another hostel in the city and didn't like it.
Local Hostel Manaus: [phone]
I did four tours and I recommend them all.
The first was the Manaus River Tour, a one-day tour, which I did with Andreza from the Martins Tourism Agency for $R80. The other agencies charged between $R150 and $R350. The lunch alone was worth what I paid. On this tour we go to the meeting point of the 2 rivers Negro and Solimões, to an indigenous tribe, swim with Botos, fish for Pirarucu, see a lake of Vitórias Régias etc. It's the best way to get a general idea of the region.
Martins Tourism Agency: [phone]
Then I went to visit the Novo Airão region. There are a day or two days tours to the area, but frankly it's not worth it as you can do it on your own. There is a daily bus and collective cabs that cost $R85 and leave when they fill up. You can also take a night boat as I did to Santarém (see below).
Collective taxis: [phone]
Boats: [phone]
I stayed at the same brand “Local Hostel” which is even better than the one in Manaus, with a delicious swimming pool.
Local Hostel Novo Airao: [phone]
I visited the city on my own, with enough time to explore everything well. I recommend a visit to the Botos house and the Almerinda Malaquias Foundation, where I read a phrase that I've brought to life
“If you're asked for help, always help. If you're not asked, ask to help.”
I hired Mr. Vermelho's tour for $R200, a local agent with a lot of experience and very polite, to visit the Anavilhanas Archipelago (400 islands of submerged Igapós forest), one of the best experiences I've had in the Amazon.
Mr. Vermelho WhatsApp [phone]
Then I went to the region of the waterfalls, Presidente Figueiredo. In this case I went with Juju tours, a local tourism agency that offers the same service as most for a fairer price of $R720. I did 2 days and one night but you can do just one day.
However, if you have the chance to rent a car and visit this area on your own, it's the best solution. The region has more than 100 waterfalls, lakes, caves etc. and on the tours we saw relatively little of the region's potential.
I stayed at Hostel Milla and it's good.
Juju Tours WhatsApp [phone]
Mila Hostel WhatsApp [phone]
Then I did the Jungle tour. It's an expensive tour, so it took me a while to find the best solution. I contacted lots of Pousadas and Agencies and they all seemed more expensive and less organized than the one I chose. I went with Iguana Tours, the best-known agency in Manaus, and booked a 4-day, 3-night package. I paid $R1,330 with everything included (transportation, accommodation, food and tours). Everything was very well organized, the guides were top notch, and the food was simple but delicious and always plentiful.
On this tour we slept two nights in the lodge and one in the jungle and I think that's perfect.
Iguana Tours WhatsApp [phone]
Pousada Juma Lake WhatsApp [phone]
Manaus is always the point of departure and arrival. You have to pass through it to get from one place to another.
In Manaus I enjoyed visiting:
1) the incredible Teatro Amazonas. I recommend taking the guided tour and seeing a play/orchestra/ballet.
2) the Rio Negro Palace and the garden around it
3) the Adolfo Lisboa Market with lots of local natural products and the food is said to be good
4) the MUSA, the city's botanical garden and museum with a very interesting forest and Manaus observation tower
5) the Miradouro area and the Manaus City Museum. It's a very interesting neighborhood.
I recommend you try the local cuisine, which is very much based on fish, roots and unique fruits:
- Cupuaçu, Cajá, Graviola and original Açai juices
- X-Caboquinho breakfast (bread or crepioca with tucumã, fried banana and curd cheese)
Fish: Baked Tambaqui, Pirarucu, Pacu, Jaraqui and Sardines.
- Takaka soup
I spent three weeks in Amazonia and I think it was perfect. I did everything they recommended with time and without stress. Of course, you can do all this in less time, but you'll be rushing around and seeing much less.
From Manaus I made my way to Santarém in the state of Pará. This trip has to be made by boat. The boat takes about 30 hours and costs $R140. In the next vídeo.
Boats Manaus-Santarém [phone]