Presidente Figueiredo

Amazon Town North Of Manaus Known As The Land Of Waterfalls, With Dozens Of Falls And Sandstone Caves In The Forest · Presidente Figueiredo, Amazonas

Presidente Figueiredo is a small town about two hours north of Manaus on the BR-174, and it calls itself the land of waterfalls. The surrounding rainforest sits on sandstone rather than the flat floodplain of the rest of the region, so its black-water streams drop over dozens of falls and have carved caves and rock arches. The best known include the Cachoeira da Iracema, the Santuário, the Pedra Furada, where a stream flows through a hole in the rock, and the Caverna do Maroaga, a sandstone cave in a protected area. Most sites sit on private land or in municipal and state areas, reached by short to moderate forest trails, and many charge a small entry fee. The main audience is Manaus: families drive up at weekends and on holidays to swim, eat fried fish and escape the city heat, which makes the popular falls crowded then and quiet midweek. For travellers it is an easy day or overnight trip from Manaus and a different side of the Amazon, but not a reason on its own to fly to the region.

Presidente Figueiredo, BR-174, AM, Presidente Figueiredo, Amazonas, Brazil

The waterfalls and caves open in the daytime only, most from morning to late afternoon, and each site sets its own days, rules and fees because they are run by landowners, the municipality or state protected-area staff. Some close one weekday, some restrict entry after mid-afternoon so that visitors are out of the forest before dark, and caves such as the Maroaga are normally visited only with a local guide; confirm access rules at the tourist office in town or with an operator in Manaus. At weekends and on public holidays the popular falls and the riverside restaurants fill with visitors from Manaus, parking overflows and pools get crowded; midweek is much calmer. In the wettest months, roughly January to May, heavy rain can swell the streams quickly, close swimming and caves, and turn trails to mud. In the drier months, roughly July to November, trails are easier but some smaller falls weaken. The town's own festivals, including one built around the cupuaçu fruit, bring extra crowds; confirm dates.

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