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Brazil🇧🇷 | townsPresidente FigueiredoAmazon waterfalls, Maroaga cave, tea-colored pools, Manaus highway | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Presidente Figueiredo
👀 For curious travelerstown ranked #25
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 19, 2026

Presidente Figueiredo sits on a paved highway about 100 km north of Manaus, so it needs no jungle expedition. The town itself is a few dusty streets, so skip it. The waterfalls outside are the draw, and they are worth every stop. I once arrived with no cash and no car, and learned that entrance fees and rides run on cash. Hostels are few, nights are quiet. You end the day swimming under Cachoeira da Iracema’s curtain of tea-colored water.

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #25 town in BrazilWhat makes it a must-see town

Presidente Figueiredo gives you dozens of waterfalls, caves and swimming holes within a short drive, which makes it the easiest real jungle-and-water fix from Manaus. Most travelers stay one or two nights, long enough to string together falls such as Cachoeira da Iracema and Caverna do Maroaga. Evenings are quiet, so it suits hikers, couples and small groups who like early starts and early beds. Solo travelers meet people by splitting a taxi or guide between sites. If you want nightlife or museums, spend your time elsewhere.

💡 HighlightsPlaces and moments you shouldn't skip

  1. Cachoeira da Iracema: The town’s best-known fall drops into a wide, swimmable pool reached by a short wooded path. Go on a weekday morning for fewer people. Entry is about US$2 to 4, and 1 to 2 hours is plenty.
  2. Caverna do Maroaga: A sandstone cave with a stream running through it, entered with a local guide and a flashlight. Dry mornings are easiest. Expect about US$4 to 8 and 1 to 2 hours.
  3. Cachoeira de Santuário: Several tiers of falls with natural pools and a short, easy trail. Visit mid-morning when the light reaches the water. Entry is around US$2 to 4, allow 1 to 2 hours.
  4. Cachoeira da Pedra Furada: A small fall with a swimming hole and a laid-back, local feel. Come in the afternoon for a lazy dip. Entry is about US$2 to 3, and an hour works.
  5. Balneário da Cachoeira das Araras: A bathing spot
… read more 👉
  1. Cachoeira da Iracema: The town’s best-known fall drops into a wide, swimmable pool reached by a short wooded path. Go on a weekday morning for fewer people. Entry is about US$2 to 4, and 1 to 2 hours is plenty.
  2. Caverna do Maroaga: A sandstone cave with a stream running through it, entered with a local guide and a flashlight. Dry mornings are easiest. Expect about US$4 to 8 and 1 to 2 hours.
  3. Cachoeira de Santuário: Several tiers of falls with natural pools and a short, easy trail. Visit mid-morning when the light reaches the water. Entry is around US$2 to 4, allow 1 to 2 hours.
  4. Cachoeira da Pedra Furada: A small fall with a swimming hole and a laid-back, local feel. Come in the afternoon for a lazy dip. Entry is about US$2 to 3, and an hour works.
  5. Balneário da Cachoeira das Araras: A bathing spot with shallow pools that suit families and tired legs. Weekdays are calmer. Entry is about US$2 to 4, 1 to 2 hours.
Beyond town, you can add Ponta Negra beach in Manaus on the way back, or the Uatumã River area for fishing and river trips. Together, these five fit into one full day, or a relaxed two.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do around Presidente Figueiredo

Amazing Waterfalls of the Amazon - Presidente Figueiredo

Amazing Waterfalls of the Amazon - Presidente Figueiredo

4.4(169) 6h
From €64
per personViator
Package 2 days and 1 night in the waterfalls and the jungle

Package 2 days and 1 night in the waterfalls and the jungle

4.8(64) 48h
From €454
per personViator
Amazon Rainforest Tour, Trails, Jungle, Caves and Waterfalls

Amazon Rainforest Tour, Trails, Jungle, Caves and Waterfalls

4.7(59) 8h
From €194
per personViator
Exploring the Caves and the Waterfalls in the Amazon - Full Day

Exploring the Caves and the Waterfalls in the Amazon - Full Day

4.8(53) 8h
From €194
per personViator
Presidente Figueiredo Tour

Presidente Figueiredo Tour

3.9(33) 12h
From €87
per personViator
Complete experience at Inn de Selva in the Amazon 3 Days

Complete experience at Inn de Selva in the Amazon 3 Days

5.0(12) 72h
From €669
per personViator
6-Day Guided Kayak Expedition in the Amazon

6-Day Guided Kayak Expedition in the Amazon

5.0(10) 144h
From €576
per personViator
Amazon Rainforest - Private Multi Day Tour

Amazon Rainforest - Private Multi Day Tour

5.0(5) 168h
From €4,422
per personViator
Private Caves and Waterfalls Day Tour

Private Caves and Waterfalls Day Tour

4.8(4) 8h
From €254
per personViator
Presidente Figueiredo Waterfalls Tour from Manaus

Presidente Figueiredo Waterfalls Tour from Manaus

4.5(4) 8h
From €111
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🏘️ NeighborhoodsKey areas and districts to know

Presidente Figueiredo is spread out along the AM-240 highway, and the waterfalls sit in the forest around it, so the town itself is quick to cover.
  • Centro: A few flat blocks around the main square, with bakeries, açaí stands, pizza and regional fish like tambaqui grilled at simple restaurants. Walk it in 20 minutes. Nightlife is a couple of bars and quiet streets, so skip it if you want a party, but you get cheap meals and a bus connection.
  • Along the AM-240 and BR-174: Most hotels, roadside eateries and tour agencies line these roads. The strip is hot, dusty and not pleasant on foot, but it puts you within reach of the trailheads and a lunch of fried fish with farofa.
  • Waterfall zones (Iracema, Santuário, Pedra Furada): Forest trails of 5 to 40 minutes lead to falls and swimming holes. Go here
… read more 👉
Presidente Figueiredo is spread out along the AM-240 highway, and the waterfalls sit in the forest around it, so the town itself is quick to cover.
  • Centro: A few flat blocks around the main square, with bakeries, açaí stands, pizza and regional fish like tambaqui grilled at simple restaurants. Walk it in 20 minutes. Nightlife is a couple of bars and quiet streets, so skip it if you want a party, but you get cheap meals and a bus connection.
  • Along the AM-240 and BR-174: Most hotels, roadside eateries and tour agencies line these roads. The strip is hot, dusty and not pleasant on foot, but it puts you within reach of the trailheads and a lunch of fried fish with farofa.
  • Waterfall zones (Iracema, Santuário, Pedra Furada): Forest trails of 5 to 40 minutes lead to falls and swimming holes. Go here for the main event: cool, tea-colored water and a plunge beneath the cascade.

⌛️ 1 dayA smart one-day plan

The day works best by hired car or taxi between sites, with short walks on forest trails and a long lunch pause when midday heat peaks.
8:00 AM, Cachoeira da Iracema: Start early on the boardwalk and steps down to a wide curtain of falls with a swimming pool beneath. It is quiet now, and the water is cool.
10:30 AM, Caverna do Maroaga: Drive out to the sandstone cave with a guide and a flashlight. The dark chamber, with a small pool inside, is worth the muddy walk.
1:00 PM, Lunch in town: Eat regional fish such as tambaqui and rest through the hottest hours.
3:00 PM, Cachoeira de Santuário: A less crowded stop with a pool and forest around it, good for a long swim.
5:30 PM, Town center: Walk back, grab a cold açaí or cupuaçu juice, and watch the evening settle in.

🌤️ When to go?Choosing the right time of year

The drier months from August to December give the most reliable trail conditions and the best swimming.
  • Dry Season (Aug to Dec): Around 27 to 34°C (81 to 93°F), lower water, firmer trails, and the busiest weekends.
  • Rainy Season (Jan to Jul): Roughly 24 to 31°C (75 to 88°F), heavy afternoon downpours, slick paths and the fullest, loudest falls. Some prices dip midweek.
  • Daylight: About 12 hours all year, so start early.
Visit on a weekday to dodge the Manaus weekend crowds.

source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: fair for travelingFEBFebruary: fair for travelingMARMarch: fair for travelingAPRApril: fair for travelingMAYMay: good for travelingJUNJune: excellent for travelingJULJuly: excellent for travelingAUGAugust: highly recommended for travelingSEPSeptember: highly recommended for travelingOCTOctober: highly recommended for travelingNOVNovember: good for travelingDECDecember: fair for traveling
brazil-city-presidente-figueiredo
© Google | Aldenor Filho

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🛏️ Where to stay?Best areas and accommodation options

Stay in the center of Presidente Figueiredo if you rely on buses and want cheap food at your door. Budget pousadas and a few hostel-style rooms cluster near the main square, with dorm or basic rooms from roughly US$12 to 30. It is quiet after dark, walkable and safe enough for a late dinner. The second option is along the AM-240 and BR-174 closer to the waterfalls. Rates are similar, you gain quicker trail access, and you lose walkable restaurants and have more road noise from trucks. Book ahead for weekends and holidays.
Best hostels in Brazil


Best quality hotels in Brazil

🚌 Getting aroundHow to get around Presidente Figueiredo

A shared ride or local bus costs around US$1 to 2, paid in cash in reais to the driver or conductor. The town is small, but the falls are spread over a wide area, so walking alone won't cover them. Public transport between sites barely exists, and that decides how you plan your days.
  • Walking: Free and fine for the center, where everything sits within 15 minutes. Skip walking the hot highway between falls, because there is no shade and little pavement.
  • Mototaxi: US$1 to 3 within town and a bit more to nearby trailheads. It is fast and breezy, and you get dropped at the gate. Agree on the fare first.
  • Taxi or hired driver: Around US$40 to 70 for a day of waterfalls. Split it among 3 or 4 people and you reach 4 to 6 falls without hassle. Worth it, since many sites are 10 to 30 km apart on dirt roads.
… read more 👉
A shared ride or local bus costs around US$1 to 2, paid in cash in reais to the driver or conductor. The town is small, but the falls are spread over a wide area, so walking alone won't cover them. Public transport between sites barely exists, and that decides how you plan your days.
  • Walking: Free and fine for the center, where everything sits within 15 minutes. Skip walking the hot highway between falls, because there is no shade and little pavement.
  • Mototaxi: US$1 to 3 within town and a bit more to nearby trailheads. It is fast and breezy, and you get dropped at the gate. Agree on the fare first.
  • Taxi or hired driver: Around US$40 to 70 for a day of waterfalls. Split it among 3 or 4 people and you reach 4 to 6 falls without hassle. Worth it, since many sites are 10 to 30 km apart on dirt roads.
  • Bus from Manaus: About US$6 to 10 for the 2 hour ride from the Manaus bus terminal. Departures run through the day, with the last return usually in the late afternoon. Check before you settle in.

👛 Costs (as of 19 October 2026)Travel costs and budget guide for Presidente Figueiredo

A backpacker in Presidente Figueiredo can get by on about US$52 a day in high season.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Dorm accommodationUS$12 to 20Basic rooms or shared dorms, with prices rising on weekends. Assume US$18 in high season.
MealsUS$10 to 15Fish plates and per-kilo lunches run about US$6 to 9. Assume US$12.
Local transportUS$6 to 12Mototaxis and shared rides between trailheads. Assume US$8.
Basic activities/entry feesUS$6 to 15Waterfall fees at about US$3 to 6 each. Assume US$10.
MiscellaneousUS$2 to 6Water, snacks and repellent. Assume US$4.
Total Daily BudgetUS$36 to 68About US$52
Share a driver for the waterfalls to cut transport costs.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🚌 Day tripsBest day trips from Presidente Figueiredo

Presidente Figueiredo is itself the day trip from Manaus, and from here a few nearby sites make easy outings.Cachoeira da Iracema: Easy trails lead to a swimming pool beneath a broad fall, ideal for first-timers. Budget US$3 to 6 entry plus a mototaxi. Go on a weekday morning, since weekends fill up quickly.
Caverna do Maroaga: A guided visit to a sandstone cave with a small inner stream and a natural pool, about 30 minutes out of town. Allow US$10 to 20 with guide. Bring a headlamp and sandals with grip, as first-timers often arrive in slick flip-flops.
Santuário das Cachoeiras: A longer forest walk that links several falls in one loop, best in the dry season. Count 3 to 4 hours and US$5 to 10 for entry.
Balbina Lake: A reservoir with islands, reached by a 1 hour drive. Boat trips cost roughly US$20 to 40 and suit a slow afternoon.

🛡️ SafetyTraveler Safety Guide

Presidente Figueiredo is calm, and petty theft is the main concern. Leave valuables locked at your lodging and carry only cash and a phone to the falls. Trails get slippery after rain, and drownings at the falls come from ignoring strong currents, so skip swimming under full flow. Use a guide for caves. Solo travelers are fine at night in the center, but avoid walking the unlit highway. Mosquito repellent matters more than any scam watch.
Check Country Safety

FAQTraveler FAQ

Presidente Figueiredo is a destination in its own right, with over a hundred waterfalls scattered through the forest north of Manaus. Cachoeira da Iracema, Cachoeira do Santuário and the Caverna do Maroaga all sit within a short drive of town, and most entry fees run roughly US$2 to 6. Swimming in the tannin-dark pools is the draw, so the place suits anyone who likes water more than museums.
Two full days cover the best-known falls and a cave visit in Presidente Figueiredo, and three days let you add Cachoeira da Onça without rushing. Plan for 6 to 8 hours per day on foot and by car, since trailheads are spread across several dirt roads. Budget about US$30 to 55 a day including a bed, simple meals and entry fees.
Yes, Presidente Figueiredo works as a long day trip from Manaus, which lies about 107 km south and takes 1.5 to 2 hours by road along the BR-174. Buses from the Manaus bus terminal cost roughly US$5 to 8 each way, but they only reach town, so you will need a mototaxi or shared ride (around US$3 to 8 per hop) to get to most waterfalls. A tour van from Manaus at roughly US$40 to 70 hits three or four falls in one day, though a single night in town gives you a far calmer pace.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Brazilian towns near Presidente Figueiredo

Explore more nearby:

  • Alter do Chão—Tapajós sandbars, Ilha do Amor, river sunsets, canoe trips| 566 km away
  • Alto Paraíso de Goiás—Cerrado plateau, quartz pools, park trailhead, canyon hikes| 1922 km away
  • Pirenópolis—Cavalhadas festival, Rio das Almas, wood-fired kitchens, colonial lanes| 1955 km away

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We 💚 feedbackSumming up the experience

Pair Presidente Figueiredo with Manaus, since the two fit together as a long weekend of city and forest. I would hire a driver for a full day and save the cave for the morning, when you have energy for the muddy walk.

✈️ When did I visit Brazil?
Call it good timing or luck, but I was able to celebrate Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro in February 2022, after a round trip in the north and east coast.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Brazil, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

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