I decided to write a unique post for Manaus because there are no such new things each time I came here.
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;
- eat typical Amazon food;
- meet some few friends;
- try to keep my exercise routine.
Manaus is just a stop-over when I go to Panama, where I have to go each 2 years to avoid my residency visa suspension.
The goals will probably increase as time goes by because each time I knew more people than before, which means more activities.
Manaus 2024 November
The idea of this trip is going to Panama through Manaus, but this time, instead of come back to Fortaleza, I have to go to São Paulo, for personal reasons.
Flight
Still the same problem as my last trip. Gol (I travel with them because of my miles) has no more direct flights from Fortaleza to Manaus.
Incredible 7-hour flight with a connection in Brasília.
Maybe in the next times, I will consider changing the airline company (TAM has still a direct flight) or the stop-over city.
Hosting
This time what I made different was the hosting place, not in the downtown.
I’ve made the best of a Black Friday promotion and changed to Ibis Budget, at Avenida Djalma Batista.
The hotel is well located, close to three shopping centers.
Amazon Travel – Manaus – Places to visit
As I go just as a stop-over, I usually go to some new places, and others that I like from other trips, as shown in the posts below.
Amazon Travel – Manaus – Flying to Panama
Stopping in Manaus has the advantage of dividing the time zone (Fortaleza is GMT-3, Manaus is GMT-4, and Panama is GMT-5).
Besides this, I noticed, from a long time ago, that it is cheaper to go using my miles from Gol (Smiles) rather than booking directly with Copa.
Look at the prices in this example, Thursday 2025 April 10th, same date and flight (by the way, executive class).
Some considerations:
- the departure time from Manaus is usually around 3:30 AM;
- no advantages in Manaus airport due to executive class;
- that is different when coming back, as Copa executive flights can use the Tocumen VIP room.
Copa through Smiles
Copa
Amazon Travel – Manaus – Conclusion
All goals reached.
- stay some few days to rest on the way to Panama – OK;
- visit again some nice places I’ve been before – OK;
- eat typical Amazon food – OK;
- meet some few friends – OK;
- try to keep my exercise routine – OK.