It was a Spanish conquistador, Francisco de Orellana, who first named the Amazon, after the female-led parties of indigenous tribes that attacked him and his men. Little did he know that he was at the mouth of the second longest river in the world, and the world's most diverse region in terms of individual species - not to mention an excellent cruise destination.

Visitors coming to Manaus are often pleasantly surprised by this medium-sized Brazilian upstart. Found near the middle of the country, Manaus offers both a small metropolis - with over 2 million people - and an unlikely retreat from city life, with hundreds of opportunities to explore the miles and miles of lush tropical rain forest that surround the city.

Located at the confluence of two major tributaries of the Amazon River, this Brazilian state capital offers some of the most excellent opportunities to see the world's longest river from just a few feet up. But it is also an excellent place to get a glimpse at the emerging economy the drives central Brazil.

From its early days as a rubber center, to the 1960's when Brazil declared the city an Economic Free zone, making it a hub for electronics makers, Manaus has stood at the forefront of commerce in Brazil. It is also a great place to tourists, with many attractions to keep you busy while you soak in the sights and sounds of a busy metropolis at the heart of a giant rain forest. When you book your travel with Carefree Travel and Cruises, you can see all this history and more for a great value.

Top Attractions and Activities in Manaus, Brazil

One of the most exciting boating trips to take while in Manaus is the Encontro da Aguas or Confluence of Waters, where the Rio Negro with its deep brown waters meets the crystal aqua of the Rio Solimoes. Because of the differing densities of the two rivers, this junction creates the unusual side effect of leaving the two rivers with their unique properties for several miles downstream of the initial meeting. If you rent a private boat it is even possible to lean over and feel how different the two side-by-side rivers remain.

If you plan on going to the Encontro, you might want to consider making private arrangements with one of the floating restaurants located to the side of the confluence, as they will generally provide a water taxi that will run you directly over where the two rivers meet. The best of these restaurants is usually Morongueta's Floating Restaurant, although excellent quality is fairly similar throughout.

For rain forest explorers visiting the region, Mindu Park, on Avenida Perinitral, is right in the middle of the city and offers a large variety of trails through some of the greenest canopy that you will ever lay eyes upon. This park also has a few paths that run above and between trees, high above the forest floor. Of course, the forest stretches for thousands of miles in every direction from Manaus, so there are plenty of chances for the adventurous to see the world's most bio-diverse region in a personal way.

While you are in central Manaus you shouldn't miss the intricate architectural designs of the opera house, public library, and customs house. And if the communal atmosphere and exotic and colorful fruits of a public market are what you're after, try the Adolpho Lisboa: it's mix of fish-tucunare and piraricu in particular will have your mouth watering for a Brazilian meal-and the oranges, crimsons and purples of the local fruit such as bacuri and cupuacu are as tasty as their vibrant colors suggest.

When you book your travel with Carefree Travel and Cruises you are ensuring that you get the best deal on the best Manaus trip that you have been waiting for!