Major city · Brazil
São Gabriel da Cachoeira
Go only if you want the upper Negro River and Indigenous Amazonia: 2–3 nights, fly from Manaus (2 h), not the 3–4 day boat, unless the boat is the point.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- BRL
- Best months
- Jun–Nov (drier, lower river, beaches)
- avoid Dec–May (heavy rain, high river)
- Airport
- SJL
- Nights
- 2–3
Rules in force · 7Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…
- South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
- South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
- South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
- Brazil ↗US, Canadian and Australian citizens need an e-visa (about US$81 — check) applied for online at the official VFS portal before travel; EU and UK citizens do not. Check your passport with Brazil's Ministry of Foreign Affairs before booking.
- Brazil ↗Yellow fever vaccination is recommended for many areas, including the Amazon and Pantanal; check with a travel clinic at least 10 days before travel.
- Brazil ↗Keep your phone out of sight in the street and on beaches; phone theft is the most common crime against visitors in big cities.
- Brazil ↗Carnival 2027 runs about 5–10 February (Tuesday 9 February; Salvador from 4 February): book Rio, Salvador and Recife/Olinda months ahead or avoid those dates.
São Gabriel da Cachoeira sits on the left bank of the Negro River, 850 km upriver from Manaus, on the Colombia–Venezuela border. Around 90% of its roughly 30,000 residents are Indigenous, from 23 groups across some 430 settlements in the region. It is the base for Pico da Neblina, Brazil's highest peak, and for boat trips to Indigenous villages that need FOIRN authorisation. The town itself is small, walkable and short on sights: two nights covers it, three if you add a river day.
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about São Gabriel da Cachoeira, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Brazilian real (BRL, R$).Brazil-wide
- SIM or eSIMVivo, Claro and TIM cover the country; buying a prepaid SIM needs a passport and sometimes a CPF — an eSIM before you fly is easier.Brazil-wide
- Tap waterDo not drink tap water; filtered water is provided in most homes and hotels.Brazil-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 10% service (serviço) usually on the bill; optional but normal.Brazil-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/N. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 127 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Brazil-wide
- SafetyThe town is calm by day and walkable; the real risks are the river current, unannounced visits to Indigenous land…
- RestroomsPut toilet paper in the bin, not the toilet, in most places.Brazil-wide
- Emergency numbers190 police · 192 ambulance · 193 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysCarnival shuts many businesses for several days; museums often close on Mondays.Brazil-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportSJL São Gabriel da Cachoeira Airport (Small field; flights from Manaus take about 2 h.
- Getting aroundThe town is small enough to walk end to end in about 20 minutes.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or a snackR$5–15 (≈ US$1–3)
- Beerbar or restaurantR$8–15 (≈ US$2–3)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekR$40–80 (≈ US$8–15)
- Budget bedDorm bed with fan, a night, per personR$60 (≈ US$12)
- Mid-range bedPrivate double with air-con, a night, per roomR$250 (≈ US$50)
- High-end bedPrivate double with air-con, a night, per roomR$450 (≈ US$85)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget R$150 (≈ US$30) · Mid R$300 (≈ US$60) · High R$600 (≈ US$120)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- SJL São Gabriel da Cachoeira Airport (Small field; flights from Manaus take about 2 h. Check schedules before booking anything else.)
Weather and climate
São Gabriel da Cachoeira: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
31°C88°F
23°C73°F
25 rd
Feb
31°C88°F
23°C73°F
23 rd
Mar
31°C88°F
23°C73°F
24 rd
Apr
31°C88°F
23°C73°F
23 rd
May
31°C88°F
23°C73°F
22 rd
Jun
31°C88°F
22°C72°F
18 rd
Jul
31°C88°F
22°C72°F
15 rd
Aug
32°C90°F
22°C72°F
12 rd
Sep
33°C91°F
23°C73°F
12 rd
Oct
33°C91°F
23°C73°F
15 rd
Nov
32°C90°F
23°C73°F
19 rd
Dec
32°C90°F
23°C73°F
23 rd
High / low °C°F · rd = rain days
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The town is small enough to walk end to end in about 20 minutes. A few taxis wait near the centre and the port; agree the fare first. Boats cross to King's Island and other river spots — ask at the port for times and prices.
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Indigenous villages, upper Negro River
cautionDoor to door: Full day or overnight
Boat from the port, 6–12 h each way
FOIRN authorisation required first; arrange through the federation in town.
Pico da Neblina National Park
overnightDoor to door: Days
Road and river to the park, then guided trek
Book with ICMBio and a certified guide; serious climbing, not a hike.
Barcelos
overnightDoor to door: Many hours
Downriver boat toward Manaus
Halfway point on the Manaus route; stop only if you have days to spare.
Manaus
goDoor to door: 2 h by air
Flight about 2 h, or boat 3–4 days downriver
The only practical way out; book the flight before you arrive.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Centro
Walkable core near the riverfront, Av. 7 de Setembro and Av. Dom Pedro Massa; most guesthouses and the market.
Bairro da Praia
Beach suburb along the river, a few minutes' walk from the centre; quieter, some pousadas.
Bairro Fortaleza
Uphill side of town, closer to Morro da Fortaleza; simple hotels.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- R$150–250 (≈ US$30–50) excl. bed
- Mid
- R$250–450 (≈ US$50–85) excl. bed
- High
- R$450 (≈ US$85)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Private double with air-con1 × 2 nights × R$250 | R$500 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × R$300 | R$1,200 |
| Airport transfer, each way2 × R$30 · check | R$60 |
| River boat day trip, per person2 × R$150 · check | R$300 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × R$60 | R$120 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | R$218 |
| Trip total≈ R$600 per person per day, bed included | R$2,398≈ US$450 |
2026 estimate in reais; flights from Manaus excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee or a snack | R$5–15 (≈ US$1–3) |
| Plate of regional food (fish, rice, farinha) | R$25–50 (≈ US$5–10) |
| Beer, bar or restaurant | R$8–15 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Pizza | R$40–70 (≈ US$8–13) |
| Indigenous handicraft, small piece | R$30–150 (≈ US$6–30) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | R$40–80 (≈ US$8–15) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- River currents are strong and look calmer than they are: no swimming without local advice.
- Indigenous land needs FOIRN authorisation before you go; do not turn up at a village unannounced.
- Violence by groups of youths has been reported late at night: avoid arguments and walking alone after dark.
- Pico da Neblina needs a guide, park booking and real climbing experience; no guide takes beginners up.
- Yellow fever vaccination is recommended for Amazonas; check current requirements before you fly.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 190
- Ambulance
- 192
- Fire
- 193
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
São Gabriel da CachoeiraSão Gabriel da Cachoeira
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Para este endereço, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police190
- Ambulance192
- Fire193
Embassy
No embassies here; the nearest consulates are in Manaus and Brasília. US citizens: check the US embassy in Brasília and the consulate in Manaus.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Flight Manaus → São Gabriel da Cachoeira: about 2 h; fares vary, check before booking (check)
- Slow boat Manaus → São Gabriel, deck hammock space: R$250–300 (≈ US$50–60), 3–4 days (check)
- Slow boat, 3-person cabin: R$800–1,100 (≈ US$150–250) (check)
- Speed boat Manaus → São Gabriel: R$300–400 (≈ US$60–75), about 24 h (check)
Say or show
- Bom dia — Good morning (bong DEE-ah)
- Obrigado / Obrigada — Thank you (oh-bree-GAH-doo / oh-bree-GAH-dah)
- Quanto custa? — How much is it? (KWAN-too KOOS-tah)
- Onde é o porto? — Where is the port? (ON-jee eh oo POR-too)
- Preciso de autorização — I need authorisation (preh-SEE-zoo jee ow-toh-ree-zah-SOWN)
- Socorro — Help (soh-KOH-hoo)
Print this card before you fly: signal and power are unreliable upriver.
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for São Gabriel da Cachoeira. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Nov (drier, lower river, beaches) · avoid Dec–May (heavy rain, high river) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for SJL: flight-day checks, taxi fallback, first-night rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: centro, Bairro da Praia, Bairro Fortaleza, the port.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (FOIRN, Morro da Fortaleza, Praia Grande, Pico da Neblina park) and eat pages with last orders.
- River-day fixtures so boat trips can go green only with authorisation in hand.