Port information & tips for Jaú National Park
Jaú National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the heart of the Amazon, is not a traditional cruise port, but an impressive nature destination primarily reached via river cruises from Manaus, the vibrant capital of the state of Amazonas. Arrival requires careful planning, often with a stopover in Manaus as an important starting point for your expedition into the rainforest.
Airplane
For guests from the DACH region, travel to Jaú National Park begins with a long-haul flight to Manaus International Airport (MAO), also known as Eduardo Gomes International Airport. Direct flight connections from Germany, Austria, or Switzerland to Manaus are rare, so flights usually involve layovers at major hubs such as São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, or other international airports. Manaus Airport is modernized and offers a comfortable arrival as the most important air gateway to the Amazon region.
Transfer & Shuttle
From Manaus International Airport (MAO), you can easily reach your hotel or your embarkation point in Manaus by taxi, ride-sharing services (such as Uber or 99), or pre-booked private transfers. The journey to the city center or the port of Manaus takes about 30 minutes to an hour. Jaú National Park is located approximately 200 to 220 kilometers northwest of Manaus and is accessible exclusively by riverboat. Many tours include an organized transfer from Manaus, often combined with a car journey to Novo Airão (approx. 2-3 hours on highways AM-070 and AM-352) followed by another boat trip to the park entrance.
Pre-Cruise Hotel
Due to the long international flights and the fact that most river cruises and expeditions to Jaú National Park start early in the morning in Manaus, an overnight stay in a pre-cruise hotel in Manaus is highly recommended. Manaus offers a variety of hotels, from luxury options to comfortable houses, many of them near the river port, the starting point for Amazon cruises. This allows for a relaxed start to your Amazon adventure, as you can adjust to the time zone and explore the city before your expedition begins.
Check-in & Embarkation
Please note that your travel documents will usually provide you with a fixed time slot for check-in, which is mandatory for your embarkation. Plan sufficient time for the journey to the port and bear in mind that the latest embarkation time - depending on the cruise line and destination - is usually scheduled about one hour before the planned departure.
The following also applies during the journey: for shore excursions, you should be back on board at least one hour before departure. Always pay attention to the current announcements as well as the notices on board, as mooring and departure times can change at short notice.
Jaú National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the heart of the Amazon, is not a traditional cruise port, but an impressive nature destination primarily reached via river cruises from Manaus, the vibrant capital of the state of Amazonas. Arrival requires careful planning, often with a stopover in Manaus as an important starting point for your expedition into the rainforest.
Airplane
For guests from the DACH region, travel to Jaú National Park begins with a long-haul flight to Manaus International Airport (MAO), also known as Eduardo Gomes International Airport. Direct flight connections from Germany, Austria, or Switzerland to Manaus are rare, so flights usually involve layovers at major hubs such as São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, or other international airports. Manaus Airport is modernized and offers a comfortable arrival as the most important air gateway to the Amazon region.
Transfer & Shuttle
From Manaus International Airport (MAO), you can easily reach your hotel or your embarkation point in Manaus by taxi, ride-sharing services (such as Uber or 99), or pre-booked private transfers. The journey to the city center or the port of Manaus takes about 30 minutes to an hour. Jaú National Park is located approximately 200 to 220 kilometers northwest of Manaus and is accessible exclusively by riverboat. Many tours include an organized transfer from Manaus, often combined with a car journey to Novo Airão (approx. 2-3 hours on highways AM-070 and AM-352) followed by another boat trip to the park entrance.
Pre-Cruise Hotel
Due to the long international flights and the fact that most river cruises and expeditions to Jaú National Park start early in the morning in Manaus, an overnight stay in a pre-cruise hotel in Manaus is highly recommended. Manaus offers a variety of hotels, from luxury options to comfortable houses, many of them near the river port, the starting point for Amazon cruises. This allows for a relaxed start to your Amazon adventure, as you can adjust to the time zone and explore the city before your expedition begins.
Check-in & Embarkation
Please note that your travel documents will usually provide you with a fixed time slot for check-in, which is mandatory for your embarkation. Plan sufficient time for the journey to the port and bear in mind that the latest embarkation time - depending on the cruise line and destination - is usually scheduled about one hour before the planned departure.
The following also applies during the journey: for shore excursions, you should be back on board at least one hour before departure. Always pay attention to the current announcements as well as the notices on board, as mooring and departure times can change at short notice.
To experience the untouched wilderness of Jaú National Park at its best, a guided boat tour through the branching waterways is recommended, providing direct access to the most fascinating natural treasures of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Rio Jaú & Igapó Forests
The journey across the mirror-like Rio Jaú leads deep into the heart of the rainforest and, thanks to the mysterious black waters, allows for impressive observations of the species-rich fauna in the mystical, flooded forests.
Airão Velho
The history-steeped ruins of this former rubber settlement are perfect for a journey back in time into the colonial past and simultaneously offer a fascinating panorama of how the jungle impressively reclaims the historical architecture.
Cachoeiras do Carabinani
This impressive natural spectacle in the park's interior captivates with its cascading watercourses and is also an ideal place for short hikes to gigantic Sumaúma trees amidst the untouched Amazon vegetation.
Sede do Parque & Igapó Forests
The central access area of Jaú National Park at the mouth of the Rio Jaú is ideally accessible for cruise guests by tender boat and provides direct access to one of the largest protected forest areas on earth. This location impresses with its untouched nature as well as the gigantic Sumaúma trees and, thanks to the Sede do Parque, offers a good starting point with informative trails through the rainforest. Thanks to guided tours through the fascinating Igapó forests, you can experience the unique flora and fauna up close and enjoy the peaceful silence of this protected wilderness. Ideally, start your excursion early in the morning to witness the peak activity of howler monkeys and colorful birds, and return to your ship relaxed for a refreshment at lunchtime.
