Getting to Manaus

Manaus is the largest city inland along the Amazon River. You can fly
there directly from Miami and many capitol cities in Latin America,
however many of the direct flights to Manaus have in recent years been
re-routed through Sao Paulo. This can add up to 24 hours to your travel
time if you are not aware. I thought it was bad a few years ago when
we flew from Porto Velho to Manaus (about an hour long flight) Then
from Manaus to São Paulo to catch the international flight to Miami.
Exactly 12 hours after leaving Manaus, we were flying directly over
it again at 35,000 feet. It is in direct line between Sao Paulo and Miami,
an 8 hour flight, compared to the 5 hours if we could have flown directly.
However my last trip from Porto Velho to Dallas beat all my previous
records - 36 hours from door to door. Most of that waiting in airports
in Brasilia, São Paulo, Miami, Charlotte, then finally Dallas. Sometimes
the cheapest flight is not always the most direct, but if you don't mind
flying a round about route and waiting in airports, and have limited funds,
this is one way you can go. But be sure to research thoroughly the best
prices and routes before committing yourself to a purchase. You can use this discount travel site to help in your research.

Many people do not allow for the long travel time to get to the Amazon
and they are exhausted when they arrive. So I recommend that you
allow at least two days for travel, if coming from the States, and more
if coming from Europe or Asia.

Once you get there, the things you can do and see in Manaus are
many. And that will be the topic of my next posting.