Amazonas is the largest state in Brazil, covering a large part of the Amazon rainforest. It is also the name of a Colombian department, and the Brazilian state is the one most visitors mean when they speak of the region. Its territory is vast and largely wild, which shapes almost every decision a traveller makes here.
Getting in
Manaus, the state capital, is the main gateway. From the city, visitors set out by river and by boat into the jungle, and most journeys beyond the urban edge begin there. Arriving in Manaus gives you a practical base for organising trips, with the forest close at hand.
What the visit offers
- Jungle adventures, from boat trips along the waterways to walks among the trees
- Exceptional biodiversity, one of the reasons the region draws naturalists and nature lovers
- Encounters with indigenous cultures, whose presence is part of the land's identity
The forest is the main attraction, and it asks for patience and a willingness to travel slowly. Distances are long and conditions change with the seasons and the water levels of the rivers, so it helps to plan ahead and to go with guides who know the area.
Amazonas suits travellers who want to experience a rainforest rather than simply view one. Those who prefer a dense schedule of city sights may find the pace unhurried, but for many visitors that is precisely its appeal.
