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Manaus was founded in 1669 by the Portuguese as a small fishermen’s village. Its name is of Indian origin and its literal translation is “Mother of God”. Situated less than 3 degrees below the equator and over 1000 miles inland, it is a remarkably busy port through which cargo ships distribute their goods throughout the Amazon basin. With the discovery of rubber trees in the area in the 1850’s, Manaus flourished economically for a period from 1890 – 1910, and was known as the “Paris of the Jungle”. During this period, wealthy plantation owners flocked to Manaus and a “belle epoque” splendor prevailed as evidenced by the ornate Manaus Opera House, which was built in 1892 with distinct European influence, both in style and materials. Today Manaus is a duty-free zone and a center for ecotourism in the Amazon.
 Passport and Visa considerations
A valid passport with a Brazilian visa is required for entrance into Brazil. Make sure your passport is current and does not expire before or while you are traveling. It takes up to a month to process a new passport, so please plan accordingly.
To obtain a visa, your valid passport must be sent to the nearest Brazilian Consulate General (your passport cannot expire within three months of entrance into Brazil).
 Flight Information
There are several airlines currently servicing Manaus, Brazil including TAM, Delta and Copa. Select the flight most convenient for your itinerary, keeping in mind that the charter flights to the fishery generally depart early in the morning or the day specified as your trip departure day. Your return to Manaus may occur at any time during the day, so plan your departure flight late in the evening or early the next day.
Acute Angling will carefully arrange your air travel from your home city to Manaus. Working in conjunction the major international carriers, Acute Angling blocks-off plenty of seats before the fishing season starts, providing efficient schedules and ticketing, and in many cases prices significantly below published discount fares.
We strongly suggest you check your luggage from your home city to Miami or Atlanta, claim it there, and re-check it on the international carrier to Manaus.
 Weather
Mid-day temperatures in the Amazon range from 85º - 95ºF. Generally there is some wind and intense sun during the day, so please be mindful of dehydration and overexposure to the sun. At night the temperature drops to 65º - 75ºF. Although you will be fishing in the dry season, there are occasional rain showers (you are in the rain forest).
Don’t forget to drink plenty of fluids, even if you do not feel thirsty. Water is best. Beer and soda can actually dehydrate you (alcohol and caffeine are diuretics), so drink these liquids in moderation until you become acclimated.
 Baggage Packing
There is a strictly-enforced 44-pound weight restriction for the 8 passenger Turbo-prop Caravan float-plane flights. It is suggested that all anglers pack in one duffel bag. Please do not bring coolers or hard luggage. The camp has daily laundry service, so lots of clothes are not necessary.
We recommend wearing loose fitting, lightweight, light-colored cottons or synthetics (Tarpon Wear, Patagonia, etc...). Some fabrics allow passage of UV rays, so don’t just bring any old shirt – we’ve seen people severely sunburned right through their clothes!. Long pants and sleeves are best to protect from sunburn.
 Personal Items |
 Equipment |
- Passport and xerox of photo page
- Airline tickets
- Personal medications
- Three long-sleeved tropical shirts
- Three tropical-weight pants
- Swimsuit or shorts
- Sneakers or deck shoes
- Casual travel clothes
- Fishing hat
- Quality lightweight raincoat/pants
- Lightweight cotton gloves
- Sunscreen
- Chapstick
- Water resistant bug repellent /DEET
- Small flashlight
- Camera and batteries
- Spare film or memory media
- Waterproof pack or gear bag
- Cash for tipping
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River Plate furnishes, free-of-charge, quality baitcasting rods and reels with braided line.
- Scale (if you are trying for a world record, you should bring a certified scale)
- Tape measure
- Hook sharpener
- Replacement hooks and split-rings
- Extra line
- Fishing pliers, pocket knife, clippers
- Reel lubricant
- Lure box
- Rod Case
- Polarized sunglasses
- 6” – 8” steel leaders (for piranha)
- 40 – 50 lb. Leader material (fly-fishermen)
- Optional stripping basket (fly-fishermen)
- Optional stripping glove (fly-fishermen), finger sock or adhesive tape
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 Health / Insects
 It's truly a blessing that the rivers River Plate fishes have a high tannin concentration due to the forest’s leaf decay, and do not encourage the growth of insect eggs and larvae. Most peacock bass rivers are mosquito free. Other than the occassional bee or horsefly, bugs are rarely a consideration. Under certain circumstances, however, certain rivers may have annoying no-see-um populations, so anglers should always be prepared for the possibility
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