Ponta Negra Beach (Praia de Ponta Negra)

The city of Manaus lies at the confluence of two major rivers, so although it's quite a distance from the Brazilian coast, it still has a host of beach spots popular with locals and tourists alike. Arguably the most popular of these beach destinations is the Ponta Negra beach (Praia de Ponta Negra).

Ponta Negra beach is just over eight miles (13 kilometers) from downtown Manaus in a neighborhood known for its abundance of night clubs, bars and restaurants. In other words, visitors head to Ponta Negra beach not just to spend a day enjoying the sun and sand, but also to enjoy the area's famous night life.

You can get to Ponta Negra beach from downtown Manaus by bus or taxi (keep in mind it's not a short cab ride, so if you're on a strict budget take the bus, or find some friends to share the cost of a taxi trip). There are beach activities like cycling and volleyball, a playground for kids and plenty of places to eat surrounding the beach. There's also an amphitheater with a capacity of 15,000 - check the schedule to see if there are any performances or events when you're in town.