Meeting of the Waters in Manaus: how to see it and boat tours
The Meeting of the Waters is where the dark Rio Negro and the sandy, milky-brown Solimões flow side by side near Manaus without mixing for several kilometres. The most direct way to see it is the speedboat tour with the Meeting of the Waters, pink river dolphins and lunch (€64, 4.4/5 from 21 reviews). Cheaper is the visit with an indigenous community and dolphins (€48, pickup included); a private tour is €180. The catalogue has 8 boat and Meeting activities, from €41, with a median of €98.
Prices, ratings and review counts updated on November 9, 2026 from the GetYourGuide catalogue. Tours Brasil is a GetYourGuide affiliate: booking through our links costs you the same and we earn a small commission.
The two rivers simply refuse to blend at first: the Negro is warmer, slower and stained dark by decomposing plant matter, while the Solimões is cooler, faster and loaded with Andean sediment. Together they become the Amazon proper, and the line between them is easy to see from a boat. Here is how to see it, which tours include it and what they cost, using data from the Tours Brasil catalogue of Manaus and Amazon tours.
The best Meeting of the Waters tours
The first four name the Meeting of the Waters in their title. Full-day river tours from Manaus usually pass it too but do not always say so, so check the itinerary before you book.
- Speedboat tour: Meeting of the Waters, pink dolphins and lunch — €64, 4.4/5 from 21 reviews, with transfer and insurance. The most reviewed tour that names the Meeting.
- Meeting of the Waters, indigenous community, dolphins and pirarucu — €48, 4.5/5 from 2 reviews, full day with pickup. The cheapest from Manaus.
- Private tour: Meeting of the Waters and pink river dolphins — €180, 4.3/5 from 3 reviews, 3 hours.
- Meeting of the Waters in Santarém (Tapajós and Amazon) — €41, 2.5 hours, no reviews yet. A different confluence, in Pará state, where the blue-green Tapajós meets the Amazon.
- Full-day Amazon River tour — €49, 4.1/5 from 474 reviews. The most booked river tour in Manaus.
- One-day Amazon rainforest experience — €125, 4.8/5 from 518 reviews.
- Full-day river tour from Manaus — €125, 4.8/5 from 129 reviews, 9 hours.
- Full-day Amazon River excursion — €45, 4.3/5 from 17 reviews, 7.5 hours.
- Boat trip with a local Amazonian — €98, 4.8/5 from 27 reviews.
- Rainforest and Anavilhanas islands route — €134, 4.7/5 from 146 reviews, up the Rio Negro to the river archipelago.
Quick comparison: price, rating and pickup
| Activity | From | Rating | Reviews | Duration | Spanish guide | Pickup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speedboat: Meeting, dolphins, lunch | €64 | 4.4/5 | 21 | — | No | No |
| Meeting, indigenous village, dolphins | €48 | 4.5/5 | 2 | 1 d | Yes | Yes |
| Private: Meeting and pink dolphins | €180 | 4.3/5 | 3 | 3 h | No | No |
| Full-day Amazon River tour | €49 | 4.1/5 | 474 | — | No | No |
| Full-day river tour from Manaus | €125 | 4.8/5 | 129 | 9 h | Yes | No |
| One day in the rainforest | €125 | 4.8/5 | 518 | — | No | No |
| Full-day river tour, 7.5 h | €45 | 4.3/5 | 17 | 7,5 h | Yes | No |
| Boat trip with a local | €98 | 4.8/5 | 27 | — | No | No |
Best seller
Manaus & Amazon
Amazonas: paseo en barco con un lugareño amazónico
4.8 (27) from€98
Manaus & Amazon
Desde Manaos: paseo en barco de 3/4 días a Río Negro y Anavilhanas
Spanish
4.3 (38) from€715
Manaus & Amazon
Excursión de 5 días en barco de Manaos a Belém
3.6 (49) from€134
New
Manaus & Amazon2,5 h
Encuentro de las Aguas: Tapajós y Amazonas en Santarém
Spanish
from€41
Manaus & Amazon
Paseo en lancha motora: traslado, Encuentro de las Aguas, delfines rosados, almuerzo y seguro
4.4 (21) from
Manaus & Amazon3 h
Tour privado por el Amazonas: Encuentro de las Aguas y delfines rosados de río
4.3 (3) from€180
How to see the Meeting of the Waters
On a boat tour from Manaus: the easiest option. You are picked up at your hotel or the pier, cruise down the Rio Negro to the confluence and stop right on the line between the two colours; many guides invite you to dip a hand in to feel the temperature change. Tours often add pink dolphins, a riverside community, giant water lilies or piranha fishing.
Independently on the Careiro ferry: the public ferry from Ceasa port, east of Manaus, to Careiro da Várzea crosses the meeting zone. It is the cheapest way, but the boat does not stop and there is no commentary. Take a taxi or ride-hailing app to the port.
On a multi-day jungle trip: many jungle lodges collect guests in Manaus and cross the Meeting on the way. Ask before booking a separate tour. Compare options in our guide to Manaus Amazon tours.
Which option suits you?
One day in Manaus: take the speedboat with the Meeting, dolphins and lunch (€64), or the full-day Amazon River tour (€49, 474 reviews) after confirming it stops at the Meeting.
Two or more days: spend at least one night in the forest. Lodges for 2–4 days start at €179 (Anaconda Lodge, 4.1/5 from 987 reviews; Ipanema river guesthouse, 4.2/5 from 321). For a river cruise, the 3–4 day Rio Negro and Anavilhanas boat trip costs €715.
3-day Manaus itinerary
Day 1: a half-day city tour (€50, 4 hours, pickup, 4.4/5 from 126 reviews) to find your bearings in the centre, home to the Amazon Theatre and the municipal market. Cost: €50.
Day 2: the Meeting of the Waters speedboat with dolphins and lunch (€64), then the night tour for piranha fishing and caiman spotting (€80, 5 hours, pickup). Cost: €144.
Day 3: the Presidente Figueiredo waterfalls (€80, 4.4/5 from 212 reviews) or the Anavilhanas islands route (€134, 4.7/5). Cost: €80–134.
That is €274–328 per person over three days. Alternatively, spend days 2 and 3 at a 2-day jungle lodge from €179 and cross the Meeting on the transfer if the lodge confirms it.
How much does it cost?
- Tours naming the Meeting of the Waters in Manaus: €48–180 (€180 is private).
- Full-day river tours: €45–125.
- Tapajós meeting in Santarém: €41.
- Public ferry to Careiro: the cheapest way, but no stop and no guide.
- Manaus city tours: €50–83.
- 2–4 day jungle lodges: from €179, up to €987 for the most complete.
- Long-distance boats: Manaus–Santarém €134 (36 hours); Manaus–Belém €134 (5 days).
The median across the 8 boat and Meeting activities is €98; across the whole Amazon catalogue it is about €125, driven by multi-day trips. Prices refresh daily.
Plan your trip
Getting there: Manaus is reachable only by air or river. Eduardo Gomes International Airport has direct flights from São Paulo, Brasília and other state capitals. Getting around: use taxis or ride-hailing apps; tours leave from the Manaus piers or pick you up. Ceasa port, for the ferry, is about 20 minutes from the centre by car.
When to go: the Meeting is visible year-round. At high water (roughly May to July) boats can enter the flooded forests; at low water (roughly September to November) river beaches appear. Rain is heaviest from December to May. Where to stay: the historic centre near the Amazon Theatre and the piers, Ponta Negra on the Rio Negro for bigger hotels, or a jungle lodge for the full Amazon experience.
Practical tips
- Bring a hat, sunscreen and water: there is little shade on speedboats.
- Pack insect repellent, especially for dusk and night tours.
- Mid-morning light is best for photographing the colour contrast.
- Check on the listing whether the tour stops at the Meeting or just passes nearby.
- Ask a travel health clinic about recommended vaccinations for the Amazon before you go.
FAQ
What is the Meeting of the Waters?
It is the confluence of the dark Rio Negro and the sandy-coloured Solimões near Manaus. Differences in temperature, speed and density keep them flowing side by side for several kilometres before they mix.
How much does a Meeting of the Waters tour cost?
From €48 with pickup. The speedboat with pink dolphins and lunch costs €64 (4.4/5) and the private tour €180.
How long does the tour take?
The private tour lasts 3 hours; combined tours with dolphins, communities or lunch take half a day to a full day.
Can I see the Meeting of the Waters on my own?
Yes, from the public ferry between Ceasa port and Careiro da Várzea, although it does not stop. A tour lets you pause right on the line between the rivers.
What is the top-rated tour in Manaus?
The one-day rainforest experience scores 4.8/5 from 518 reviews. Among tours naming the Meeting, the dolphin speedboat has 4.4/5 from 21 reviews.
Do I need a visa for Brazil?
Since 10 April 2025, US, Canadian and Australian citizens need an e-visa to visit Brazil. UK and EU passport holders do not need a visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days. Always check the official Brazilian consulate website before travelling.
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