3 Best Sights in Manaus, The Amazon

Named after its crescent-shaped beach, Praia da Lua is on the Rio Negro, and is located 10 minutes away from Ponta Negra in Manaus. Avoid this beach on the weekends when the warm waters are overcrowded and noisy. Don't expect any frills here, just wooden tables and benches to eat your food at, and small restaurants selling pricey food and drinks from tents. Catch boats from the Marina do David at the end of Coronel Teixeira Avenue in Ponta Negra near the Tropical Hotel and expect to pay R$10 round-trip, per person. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: sunsets; swimming.

Known as the Copacabana of the Amazon, this beach is next to the Hotel Tropical and has restaurants, bars, sports, and nightlife facilities. The water is not always clean, so it's not great for swimming. But it's a good place to soak up a bit of the city's bustle. Amenities: food and drink; parking; toilets. Best for: partiers; sunset.

This lovely, clean beach on the Rio Negro is popular with locals and tends to fill up on Sunday and holidays. Calm waters make it a good choice for children. Visitors will sometimes be greeted by members of a local tribe dancing, but beware that you will be charged for taking part in the festivities (around R$10 per person). A selection of simple beach kiosks serves fresh grilled fish, rice, and salad for lunch. Expect to pay around R$25–30 per person round-trip to get here from Manaus (30 minutes each way). You can hire boats either from the main port in Manaus or from Ponta Negra. Amenities: food and drink; toilets. Best for: swimming.