Just 120 km from Manaus along the BR-174, there is a municipality that carries the nickname Land of Waterfalls — and it is no exaggeration: Presidente Figueiredo counts more than 150 catalogued falls, along with caves, rapids and trails in the Amazon forest. It is the perfect day trip (or weekend) for the ecotourist based in the capital of Amazonas.
Getting there
The journey from Manaus takes around 2 hours on a paved road in good condition — you can drive a hire car without any surprises, or go with agencies that run full day tours with transport, lunch and a guide for around R$ 350 per person. The Tourist Information Center, at the entrance to the town, arranges local guides for the attractions that require one.
The unmissable waterfalls
- Cachoeira do Santuário — the most famous, with a veil of water falling over a rock wall covered in vegetation. Easy access by a short trail (easy effort, excellent for children of all ages).
- Cachoeira da Iracema — wide and scenic, with a restaurant on site. A gentle trail, good for families and visitors with little physical preparation.
- Cachoeira do Mutum — the dark waters typical of the region, in a wild setting (moderate trail).
- Araras and Pedra Furada — smaller falls in the middle of the forest, ideal for anyone escaping the crowds.
- Sussuarana, Neblina and Salto do Ipy — the most remote, with long trails that REQUIRE a local guide (moderate to intense effort; recommended from the age of 12).
Caves and caverns
The municipality’s other treasure is underground: the Caverna do Maroaga and the Gruta da Judéia combine rock walls, tunnels and underground waterfalls — we have devoted a full article to them: the caves of Presidente Figueiredo.
How much it costs
Entry to the private attractions ranges from R$ 5 to R$ 20 per person; local guides charge around R$ 100 for a group of up to 5 people. Adding transport and lunch, a full day in the Land of Waterfalls comes to far less than most trips out of Manaus.
When to go
Between June and November (the drier season), the water is calmer and swimming is safe. In the flood (December to May), the waterfalls take on a dramatic volume, but several close for swimming on safety grounds — always respect the guides’ instructions.
🥾 Who is it for?
Effort: easy at the main waterfalls (Santuário, Iracema), moderate to intense at the remote ones. Children: yes — Santuário and Iracema are excellent at any age; long trails from the age of 12. Older travelers and reduced mobility: Iracema and Santuário have short, gentle access, feasible for those who walk slowly; the remote trails and the caves are not recommended. Tip: build the itinerary around your group’s energy — the region has an option for everyone.
