Manaus with Children

October 31, 2026

Manaus with children

Manaus works for families when the plan is short stops with clear things to see: a forest museum with a tower, an opera house, a small army-run animal centre, a riverside promenade and a boat ride to a replica plantation. The heat and the mosquitoes are the main things to prepare for.

MUSA forest trails and tower

The Museu da Amazônia at Avenida Margarita 6305 has forest trails and a tower about 42 m high, set in the Adolpho Ducke Forest Reserve. It is open daily from 08:30 to 17:00 except Wednesdays. One source says children up to 5 enter free, so ask when you book. The tower has platforms at 14, 28 and 42 m reached by roughly 242 steps, which is a lot for small legs, so ask the museum about age rules and the climb before you go. Book by WhatsApp on (92) 99280-9059 or by email at agendamento@museudaamazonia.org.br . The museum’s site is museudaamazonia.org.br .

Teatro Amazonas

Children up to 10 go in free at the opera house on Praça São Sebastião, and a full adult ticket is R$20. The visit is guided and takes place Tuesday to Saturday 09:00 to 17:00 and Sunday 09:00 to 13:00, with Monday varying between sources. Confirm on the day. The ornate rooms give children a different kind of sight from the forest. See Portal Amazônia .

Zoológico do CIGS

The CIGS is the Army’s jungle warfare training centre, and its zoo shelters rescued native Amazonian animals. Admission and hours should be confirmed before you go. One undated report says entry is free on the second Saturday of each month. The centre’s website is cigs.eb.mil.br .

Praia da Ponta Negra

Ponta Negra has a riverside promenade and an amphitheatre in the west of the city. The sand is wide mainly in the low-water season, from about August to November. It makes an easy place for a walk. Keep children out of the river channels.

A boat trip to Seringal Vila Paraíso

The Museu do Seringal Vila Paraíso is a replica rubber plantation built for the film A Selva, and entry is free. The boat leaves Marina do Davi in Ponta Negra and costs R$21 each way, with one guide saying it runs at weekends and holidays only. The museum opens Monday to Saturday 09:00 to 15:00, closed Wednesdays, and Sunday 09:00 to 13:00. Children can watch rubber-tapping demonstrations.

Wildlife and health with children

Do not hold sloths, caimans, snakes or monkeys for photos. Federal prosecutors and the environmental agency IBAMA have acted against paid animal-photo operators, and the state tourism agency advises never to hold, chase or feed animals. Watch wild animals from a distance or a boat. Yellow fever vaccination is recommended for children from nine months in Amazonas, at least 10 days before travel, and malaria prophylaxis should be discussed with a doctor. Use DEET or picaridin repellent.

Family tours

To compare family-friendly outings, browse GetYourGuide listings for Manaus .