Brazil - Amazon region question?

Question

Ok, so my first trip to Brazil (Rio) is coming up soon. I'm very excited about this. But, someday I'd like to check out the Amazon region. Thing is, I have no clue where to go, what to do. Travelling to Rio is easy. There is all kinds of information about Rio online and Rio has a huge international airport 15 - 20 minutes from downtown. Of course, Rio also has many hotels. Since I do not like tour groups I'd really like to get information about where to go and what to do in the Amazon region so that I can plan my own trip someday. (Where do I fly into, where should I stay [city], what do you recommend I do, how long should I go, etc). Thanks!

Answer 1

Travel in Amazonia is a huge subject. It is easy to do but there are many different places to go and ways to go about it. I suggest you take a look at a guidebook. The Lonely Planet series is good, I have a Backcountry Brazil Book which is good and there is a Barefoot series I believe. You can usually find a few in a big bookstore and read them there for free, or at least enough to give you an idea of what's in store and how to proceed.

Good Luck, Have a Good Trip!

Answer 2

Bugging you is easy cause your buggable. Bugging you is all I ever want to doooo-.

Answer 3

You should check out Belem in the North as its very easy to get to from Brasilia, SP or Rio but lies right on the equator on the edge of the Amazon (nr the coast).  Its still very much unspoilt but being developed for Brazilan tourism.  Its a very busy, relaxed, friendly city full of life, culture (native indian and portguese/french) and food.

One flight from here takes you to Manaus further West into the Amazon (dont stay in the city though but at the edge), Santarem (pink dolphins), Natal (wonderful city), Salvador or into the Pantanau (massive area of wetlands and wildlife).  

In the North June/July is really too hot so Oct-Feb is best and cooled down by the rain which is very soothing and dramatic. Belem has the second biggest Catholic festival in the world in the first week of October when the city goes mad.

Answer 4

well.. since you are going up there anywayz.. you should DEFF visit Salvador..  its nicer then Rio ..  believe it or not.  Its the heart of Brazil..    if you want to experience the culture to the fullest then visit Salvador.. great food... great people.. great music.. and FANTASTIC beaches ..   very relaxing.     Rio is great too..  for the night life..

i've never been to the amazon..   and haven't yet had a desire to visit..     i'm sure u'll enjoy it if you realllllly like the wildlife.. and ur the outdoors kind of person.  I guess i'd recommend visiting Amazonia ..  not sure of any other places tourists might go.

oh yea..  dont be too "flashy" with your camera and such in Rio..

i wouldn't recommend takin the camera on the beach .. unless theres not really a crowd i guess.  i've always wanted to take pics of the beach.. but .. i'd rather have no beach pics then missing all my photos on a stolen camera.   ..  i've never had a prob in brazil with crime .. but its always good to play it safe.    Salvador is much safer then Rio as well..

BOA SORTE

Answer 5

The Amazon is a huge region, so the first thing to do is some homework to get a feel for what's out there. See the link below, for example.

Answer 6

Go to Manaus (city) and there you will find what to do, I think.

And I will have to disagree with the one that said that Salvador is Brazilian heart. But it's a nice city. It's kind exotic for foreigners and even brazilians