My trip to Manaus 2023 August-September departing from Fortaleza. I usually stay a few days here when going to Panama.
Manaus 2023 August – Goals
My goals for this trip were:
- stay some few days to rest on the way to Panama;
- visit again some nice places I’ve been before;
- try to keep my exercise routine.
Flights
As I live in Fortaleza, I usually take a flight to Manaus, and then to my final destiny in Panama, where I have to go every 2 years, due to Panama Friendly Visa requirements.
Pros stopping in Manaus
- traveling to Manaus, a city I like, and have a few friends;
- break the timezone difference (one hour per city), as Fortaleza is GMT -3, Manaus is GMT -4, and Panama is GMT -5;
- direct flight from Fortaleza to Manaus, flying Gol – see the cons;
- direct flight from Manaus to Panama, flying Copa – in addition, I purchased using Smiles miles, cheaper than buying directly at Copa, even Executive class is cheap.
Cons stopping in Manaus
The main one that time is that Gol is changing its hub from Fortaleza to other cities, and the direct flights offers decreased.
I’ve bought a direct flight (3:30 trip) that they changed including a connection in Brasília – 2 flights, taking now 7 hours!
I have to review my strategy for the next time.
Weather
This time it was hotter than ever!
I went to Manaus different times, in dry/rain season, but I never saw like this time.
People in the city, even the natives, which, I guess, should be used to the climate, were feeling sick in the heat.
Just a few walking distances, and I’ve already felt my blood pressure down, not too much, but I felt it.
Public Transport
As the gym was not close to the hotel, I’ve downloaded the Manaus public transport app, put the credit (using money transfer it takes some time), paying by the generated QRCode, and went by bus.
At least by now, if you don’t have the app or the card (just money), you can still pay for the collector (maybe in the future this poor guy will be definitely replaced by the machine)…
Tourist places
Hidroviária
This ship, São Bartolomeu IV, at Hidroviária, do the regular transport from Manaus to Santarém (one and a half day trip).
These ships are the most common way local people travel among the cities, through the Amazon rivers.
This couple has a detailed post about Manaus to Santarém trip by boat (in Portuguese).
Teatro Amazonas
Teatro Amazonas is in a walking distance from Hidroviária – but remember what I said about the climate!
This map shows a way departing from Manaus Moderna (local market) to Teatro Amazonas, passing through the Hidroviária.
This is the Manaus downtown. Avoid walking this at night.
Ponta Negra
From the Manaus downtown, you can take the bus (line number 120), and spend a day in Ponta Negra, a river beach (Rio Negro).
Manaus 2023 September –Passo a Paço
From Manaus, I went to Panama 2023 August-September, and came back in September.
And the city was partying this event, called Passo a Paço, DJ David Guetta was playing (news in Portuguese) by the time my flight arrived.
Manaus 2023 August-September – Conclusion
About the goals:
- stay some few days to rest on the way to Panama – OK;
- visit again some nice places I’ve been before – OK;
- try to keep my exercise routine – OK, but I’ve had to go by bus, and in a terrible hot weather.
References
- Guia de Destinos – Manaus (in Portuguese);
- Gol (airline company) and Smiles (fidelity program);
- Copa Airlines;
- Manaus public transport app;
- Manaus to Santarém trip by boat (in Portuguese).