Manaus Weather in January

January: warm and very wet

January feels hot, sticky and often cloudy in Manaus. Rain falls on most days, so outdoor plans can get interrupted, and forest trails may turn muddy. The showers don't usually mean a whole day indoors, though. Visit Teatro Amazonas or the Museu da Amazônia between spells of rain, and keep river outings flexible.

If you hate crowds, the quieter stretches after New Year may suit you better than the holiday days.

What to do

A boat trip to the Encontro das Águas, where the dark Rio Negro meets the sandy Solimões, is still possible in January. But rain and cloud can make the river views less clear, and heavy showers can affect time on the water. Save long forest walks for a drier month if they're a main reason for your trip.

For a city day, browse the stalls at Mercado Adolpho Lisboa and try tacacá, a hot broth made with local ingredients. It's a good stop when the weather turns wet.

Crowds and costs

New Year's Day is a public holiday in Brazil, and the school summer break brings more Brazilian holidaymakers around the turn of the year. Manaus isn't at its busiest for Amazon trips in January; the drier months tend to draw more visitors. Prices can be higher around New Year, then ease after the holiday, though flights and rooms vary.

A useful local tip: ask your boat operator about rain plans before heading to the Encontro das Águas. Some trips can adjust their route, while others may be delayed by weather.