Manaus

[Nordico]

However, no worries, you can find flights to Manaus very cheap. Look at GOL and TAM.

If my memory doesn't fail, TAM ceased operations in 2016, if you don't mean TAM - Transporte Aéreo Militar of Bolivia. Very interesting airline. I once flew with them from Trinidad, Bolivia to Guayaramerin, before crossing the river by boat to the Brazilian side and took a bus from Guajará-Mirim to Porto Velho. I doubt they have flights to Manaus.

[Nordico]

It could be explained by a failing memory of the original poster. There used to be Brazil Airpass (not Brazilian Airbus pass) that used to be popular ine the nineties. Fly to 4 destinations in 21 days paying a low price. It used to be very popular 30 years ago. I used them a lot. I haven't heard nobody mention them for at least 25 years ago.

Maybe be the original poster might tell you about the "Brazilian Airbus Pass"? At least on the mighty Google "Brazilian Airbus Pass" is never heard. I have a source criticism filter so I don't need to see the original post. However, no worries, you can find flights to Manaus very cheap. Look at GOL and TAM.

Cheers.

I like the way you use double negative. https://www.merriam-webster.com/word...lay/word-salad.

[Sammon]

It could be explained by a failing memory of the original poster. There used to be Brazil Airpass (not Brazilian Airbus pass) that used to be popular ine the nineties. Fly to 4 destinations in 21 days paying a low price. It used to be very popular 30 years ago. I used them a lot. I haven't heard nobody mention them for at least 25 years ago.

Maybe be the original poster might tell you about the "Brazilian Airbus Pass"? At least on the mighty Google "Brazilian Airbus Pass" is never heard. I have a source criticism filter so I don't need to see the original post. However, no worries, you can find flights to Manaus very cheap. Look at GOL and TAM.

Cheers.

Best was Cathay pacific all Asia pass. I bought it five times over 10 years and travelled to all 21 or so destinations. It was $899 but itenary has to be strictly adhered to. It was fun sampling ladies from Japan to Sri Lanka, Bali to Thailand, Philippines to Seoul. I was flying every other day. That was fun.

[Sperto]

Also, I am contemplating exploring the Ayahuasca thing. As I understand, it would be better to do it in some reputable, safe, and not-too-touristy place (I do wish for it to be somewhat authentic). Do you have advice to share? I've heard it's a thing in the Manaus area but I really don't want to do the fake tourst thing.

I heard about travel agencies in Manaus offering tourists to try Ayahuasca. It's nothing I tried as I never touch any kind of drugs.

[FRobertson]

However, no worries, you can find flights to Manaus very cheap. Look at GOL and TAM.

Yes I've seen some cheap fares to that place. Maybe I should make a trip there next time. It's definitely on the list.

Also, I am contemplating exploring the Ayahuasca thing. As I understand, it would be better to do it in some reputable, safe, and not-too-touristy place (I do wish for it to be somewhat authentic). Do you have advice to share? I've heard it's a thing in the Manaus area but I really don't want to do the fake tourst thing.

[FRobertson]

Contact this one for specific information - https://www.brol.com/airpass/.

https://brazilianairlines.com/brazil-airpass/

That website shows 2 types of airpasses:

1. IF you fly to Brazil on Azul Airlines, United Airlines or TAP, Unlimited flights for 10 or 21 days, from the day you arrive in Brazil for $400 or $500. Not a bad deal, however, all fights must be booked in advance, which is a major deal-breaker for me as I am a creature of spontaneity and planning even a week in advance is an excruciatingly painful exercise for me.

2. Other passes are basically 4 flights for $500; also must be booked in advance. That means paying $125 per flight; I've been finding cheap tickets inside Brazil for less, without having to commit to a schedule.

I really wish the airlines would bring back "real" airpasses where I could drop a grand on them and fly anywhere for a month on standby basis, just show up at the airport and see what's available. In fact, if American Airlines brought back their lifetime unlimited first class travel pass for $1 million, I'd probably max out all credit cards, sell my house and car, rob a bank for the remaining $950 k, buy the pass, do 5 years behind bars for the bank robbery, and enjoy the rest of my life circling the world on first class flights, never needing hotels or restaurants. Shower in the lounges.

[UniversalX]

Would you kindly share where could one obtain such a wonder? I would love to visit several cities for a nominal fee.

Contact this one for specific information - https://www.brol.com/airpass/.

https://brazilianairlines.com/brazil-airpass/

[Sperto]

Would you kindly share where could one obtain such a wonder? I would love to visit several cities for a nominal fee.

It could be explained by a failing memory of the original poster. There used to be Brazil Airpass (not Brazilian Airbus pass) that used to be popular ine the nineties. Fly to 4 destinations in 21 days paying a low price. It used to be very popular 30 years ago. I used them a lot. I haven't heard nobody mention them for at least 25 years ago.

Maybe be the original poster might tell you about the "Brazilian Airbus Pass"? At least on the mighty Google "Brazilian Airbus Pass" is never heard. I have a source criticism filter so I don't need to see the original post. However, no worries, you can find flights to Manaus very cheap. Look at GOL and TAM.

Cheers.

[FRobertson]

I happen to use the Brazilian Airbus Pass, which allowed me to visit several cites for a nominal fee, over the period of like a month.

Would you kindly share where could one obtain such a wonder? I would love to visit several cities for a nominal fee.

[Spidy]

Belm: ...

• Accommodations: Much better with regards to quality, fit, finish and furnishings. I loved staying at Hotel Gro Par, (Av. Presidente Vargas, Centro). However, they no longer allow "unregistered" girlfriends.

Sorry, that line should have read: I loved staying at Hotel Grão Pará , (Av. Presidente Vargas, Centro).

Arrrh! That fickin' "Snazza frazza rashin' fashin' ISG auto-correctasin', piece of @%#*$&!% ", will get you every time on the Portuguese words with accents/diacritics, even when following my own "auto correction" tips/advice...kkk!

[Xpartan]

Which is better, Manaus vs. Belem w/r to hobbying and exploring nature? Great question, tough to completely answer, since it's been a few years since I've been to either place, but here's my take:

Thanks so much. I think I'll try Manaus one more time and see if it grows on me, LOL.

[Spidy]

... Interesting that you mentioned Belem. How would you compare the two nature and hobby-wise, LOL? I thought of trying it next, since I've already been to Manaus. Or should I go back to Manaus to explore more? ...

Which is better, Manaus vs. Belem w/r to hobbying and exploring nature? Great question, tough to completely answer, since it's been a few years since I've been to either place, but here's my take:

Manaus:

• Tours: I think Manaus, wins when it comes to jungle tours, exploring nature and other near trips/sites of interest. (ie. jungle tours, fishing, visits to local indigenous villages, river boating, jungle hikes ...etc)

• Accommodations/Hotels: Slightly, questionable quality, but cheaper than Belem for the most part, but more "love motels" for the horny traveler.

• Wifeying-Up for the weekend: Paradiso de Angelo in Manacapuru as must visit. This place is great jungle hideaway for a "wifey weekend get-a-away". Nice relaxing, resort village. www.paraisodangelo.com.br

• Food:This is just me, but just loved the variety of fish and fresh fruit to eat down by the fishing docks (Mercado Manicipal), during lunch hours. Rough area, but good to explore w/r to seeing business and commerce in the area. The fish market at the docks is huge.

• Nightlife/Clubs:Very good dance scene with the open air Forró clubs. The night clubs were OK, with just a few in centro and the rest, regrettably (like the Forró clubs) spread out all over the city. Some nights there are free events around centro and Teatro Amazonas. Saw several very good musical concerts at Teatro Amazonas for like R$2.

• Hobbying: Remulos, the once "crown jewel" of strip clubs in Brazil, IMHO, has lost much if it's luster over the years, but remains as a relatively decent P4P option, albeit watered-down, from its former glory.
  
  Downtown bars, clubs and other strip clubs, diffidently catered to the local working class and the quality left something to be desired. For me, it was very entertaining, to grab a beer and "people watch" for a while.

• The Women: Easy to pick-up non-pros, but as you may already know (judging by your 2014 visit), the type of quality of girls is different than say Rio or SP. I happen to like the diverse looks and ethnic looks of girls and enjoyed the easy hookups, like at the Forró clubs. Downside is, they could turn into "Klingons", sometimes...kkk!

Belém:

• Tours: I friend of mine took the boat ride, from Belem to Manaus (which took about 4 days, back in 2004), but was bored out of his mind, after the first day and scenic aspect of the trip, was basically on rinse and repeat cycle and wasn't as diverse and picturesque as he'd hoped. Also for him a lack of privacy was also a problem. Others reported having a better time during the trip, (I think) mainly due to the bottles of cachaca and the company of friends.
  
  Note: I don't know if anyone has done this, but I always wondered, what it would be like to "weekend wife", such a trip? Nightmare on Elm St. waiting to happen or jungle boat fuck-a-thon?

• Accommodations: Much better with regards to quality, fit, finish and furnishings. I loved staying at Hotel Gro Par, (Av. Presidente Vargas, Centro). However, they no longer allow "unregistered" girlfriends.

• Food:Again, this is just me, but just loved the convenience of the local markets and fishing docs (Estao das Docas and Mercado Ver-O-Peso), in proximity to my hotel (5 min walk). Loved that I could pick the fresh fish of my choice and get it cooked and fried up, at any of the local market stalls. The docs also offered a good number of decent restaurants, offering a variety of cuisines.

• Nightlife/Clubs: Ask the taxi drivers. Much like Forró /clubs Manaus, they are spread out over the city and only open and operate on certain nights.

• Hobbying: I have to admit, I enjoyed hobbying slightly more in Belem, list time I visited both cities. It has a decent number of clubs in the downtown core to keep you entertained, with the best, Club Paraiso, Rua Senhor Manoeul Barata 105 Centro, as pretty good pro/semi-pro FL joint.
  
  Other P4P joints, are spread out over the city like their night clubs. Recent reports from BMs in Belem, indicate that the action is still pretty good, for a "jungle city", that is.

• The Women: Same sentiments as Manaus, except perhaps the hookups weren't as easy.

For me, Manaus will always be my favorite, just because it holds more dear memories. But Belem had been growing on me. If I had to pick one for both nature and hobbying, it would be Manaus.

Because, I love to visit other Brazilian cities and re-visit some friends and past acquaintances, I also love to checkout the social-economic life in other parts of Brazil. I happen to use the Brazilian Airbus Pass, which allowed me to visit several cites for a nominal fee, over the period of like a month. So while I was this far out (from Rio), it just made sense to visit Belem as well.

My 2-cents. Hope it helps.

[Xpartan]

The hotel you're discribing located by the beach and overlooking the Rio Negro, sounds like the Tropical Executive Hotel, in Ponta Negra, which has the only beach (Praia da Ponta Negra) in the city of Manaus. https://www.tropicalexecutive.com.br and https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Re..._Amazonas.html

The Tropical, which was once owned by Varig Airlines, had put me up overnight (free of charge) on a flight mix-up/delay (real customer service, in those days) and I remember the hotel really wasn't all that (and "a bag of chips"), let alone worth US$250/night (at time), compared to the US$60-75 today. But I did enjoy the lavish caf de manh buffet style breakfast and liked walking around the the well kept hotel grounds.

Totally in agreement w/r to the City of Manaus and it's esthetic beauty, or lack thereof, when looked at in the same ways as traditional cities (ie. skyscrapers, solid infrastructure, polished concrete architecture, pristine roadways and freeways, manicured landscaping ...etc).

But really, who can forget the flight into Manaus and the thick lush green vegetation over the Amazon jungle and its Pantanal of rivers and tributaries, spreading across the land, in an endless weave of greens, blues and earth tones from the fabric of nature. Very picturesque, indeed!

Although, I consider Manaus my fav "jungle city", I think Belem cityscaping is far better and slightly more cosmopolitan. But for me, Manaus, just has more of a cool, rustic, jungle vibe to it, despite all its unpolished urban flaws.

Okay! Maybe I'm just biased, because of (the once famous/infamous) Remulos strip club....kkk!

However, I will say Manaus, did loose it's luster, with me some time ago, due to the cleansing, closing and shuttering of some of my fav outdoor social venues. Pity!

Yep, checked the pictures, and that's the place.

Yes, I also remember it cost a ridiculous amount of money for our dates, yet was very busy due to the World Cup, but we got it on points very cheaply. Our room was huge, but ridiculously shitty, think Motel 6 quality or even worse with the bathroom that was a challenge to fit in. And yet, it had a huge wraparound balcony with astonishing views. I remember sleeping on the balcony one night and I slept like a baby. It was perfectly cool outside and not even one mosquito. Also, the infinity pool was beyond awesome, the breakfast was superb, and the working girls in the lobby bar kept us busy for 2 nights. And it was a couple minute walk to the beach too.

If the new owners have refurbished the rooms, I wouldn't hesitate to stay there again.

Since we only stayed for 3 days, we only took one Rio Negro / Amazon tour, but it was really, really good.

Interesting that you mentioned Belem. How would you compare the two nature and hobby-wise, LOL? I thought of trying it next, since I've already been to Manaus.

Or should I go back to Manaus to explore more?

P.S. Actually, just checked Airbnb, and they list this as an aparthotel for only $36. And the same shitty rooms, it seems, LOL. Well, for $36 it's a steal, shitty or not. And the views are still magnificent.

[Spidy]

We went to Manaus for the World Cup in 2014. I absolutely hated the city itself and was happy that we booked a hotel on the Rio Negro (I think it was one of the Radisson brands, but it's changed hands since). It was right on the beach with lousy rooms but awesome views, beautiful pool, and the lobby filled with working girls every night. It was a very pleasant area compared to Manaus decrepit downtown and a 30-minute ride to the Centro on a comfortable AC bus.

The hotel you're discribing located by the beach and overlooking the Rio Negro, sounds like the Tropical Executive Hotel, in Ponta Negra, which has the only beach (Praia da Ponta Negra) in the city of Manaus. https://www.tropicalexecutive.com.br and https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Re..._Amazonas.html

The Tropical, which was once owned by Varig Airlines, had put me up overnight (free of charge) on a flight mix-up/delay (real customer service, in those days) and I remember the hotel really wasn't all that (and "a bag of chips"), let alone worth US$250/night (at time), compared to the US$60-75 today. But I did enjoy the lavish caf de manh buffet style breakfast and liked walking around the the well kept hotel grounds.

Totally in agreement w/r to the City of Manaus and it's esthetic beauty, or lack thereof, when looked at in the same ways as traditional cities (ie. skyscrapers, solid infrastructure, polished concrete architecture, pristine roadways and freeways, manicured landscaping ...etc).

But really, who can forget the flight into Manaus and the thick lush green vegetation over the Amazon jungle and its Pantanal of rivers and tributaries, spreading across the land, in an endless weave of greens, blues and earth tones from the fabric of nature. Very picturesque, indeed!

Although, I consider Manaus my fav "jungle city", I think Belem cityscaping is far better and slightly more cosmopolitan. But for me, Manaus, just has more of a cool, rustic, jungle vibe to it, despite all its unpolished urban flaws.

Okay! Maybe I'm just biased, because of (the once famous/infamous) Remulos strip club....kkk!

However, I will say Manaus, did loose it's luster, with me some time ago, due to the cleansing, closing and shuttering of some of my fav outdoor social venues. Pity!

[Xpartan]

We went to Manaus for the World Cup in 2014. I absolutely hated the city itself and was happy that we booked a hotel on the Rio Negro (I think it was one of the Radisson brands, but it's changed hands since). It was right on the beach with lousy rooms but awesome views, beautiful pool, and the lobby filled with working girls every night. It was a very pleasant area compared to Manaus decrepit downtown and a 30-minute ride to the Centro on a comfortable AC bus.