South America·Brazil

Is Manaus Safe in February 2026?

February is summer / peak season in Manaus. Peak summer season brings maximum tourist volume and correspondingly higher scam activity across all documented categories.

Moderate

February risk

13

Scams documented

High

Crowd level

Season

Peak Season

Crowd level

High

February scam risk

Moderate

Year-round scams

13

JanuaryFebruaryMarch
February travel

Safety tips for Manaus in February

Season-specific guidance based on summer / peak season conditions and how they interact with documented scam patterns.

01

February is peak tourist season in Manaus — book accommodation and transport well in advance to avoid last-minute desperation that scam operators exploit.

02

Expect higher prices across the board. If a deal looks significantly cheaper than market rate during February, treat it as a warning sign.

03

Tourist-dense areas will be at maximum capacity. Pickpocketing and distraction scams spike with crowd density — secure valuables before entering busy areas.

04

Pre-book tours and activities through verified platforms. Walk-up tour sellers at major sites are at their most aggressive during peak season.

05

Regardless of season, the documented scams for Manaus remain the same — review the full list of 13 warnings before you travel.

06

Travel insurance is recommended for any trip to Manaus. Policies covering theft, medical emergencies, and trip disruption are essential regardless of when you visit.

What to watch for

Top scams in Manaus (active in February)

These scams operate year-round and remain active during February. Peak season volume means these are at their most frequent.

Airport Taxi Meter "Broken"

medium

Taxi drivers at Eduardo Gomes (MAO) claim the meter is broken and quote a flat 180-250 BRL to Centro (13 km). The real metered fare is 70-100 BRL. Some drivers also take longer routes through Av. Torquato Tapajós.

How to avoid: Use Uber or 99 from the airport — both operate freely. For a taxi, insist on the meter (taxímetro) or use the fixed-fare taxi desk inside the arrivals hall.

Street Robbery in the Historic Center at Night

high

Armed street robbery is a serious risk in the historic center of Manaus after dark, particularly around the Teatro Amazonas and Mercado Municipal areas. Perpetrators on motorcycles or on foot target tourists displaying phones, cameras, or jewelry. The area sees a sharp increase in incidents after 9pm when tourist attractions close and foot traffic drops.

How to avoid: Avoid walking in the historic center after dark and use Uber or a hotel-arranged taxi for all night travel. Leave expensive cameras and jewelry in your hotel safe. If robbed, comply immediately — valuables can be replaced, your safety cannot.

Fake Amazon Lodge Package

medium

Touts at Eduardo Gomes International Airport and Teatro Amazonas sell "jungle lodge packages" for 400-900 USD cash with handwritten receipts. Lodges either don''t exist or the arrangement collapses on arrival. Some touts pose as official airport information staff.

How to avoid: Book lodges only through verified operators (Juma Amazon Lodge, Anavilhanas Jungle Lodge, Uakari) on their official websites. Pay by credit card. Airport "information" desks in uniform without official airport branding are touts.

Port-Area Phone Snatching

medium

Around the port area and Avenida Sete de Setembro, motorbike riders snatch phones from tourists photographing the Encontro das Águas viewpoint or the port. Phones are often unlocked and used to drain wallet apps.

How to avoid: Never photograph from the street edge. Keep phones on wrist-straps or in zipped pockets. Enable remote-wipe and screen-lock biometric. Use Find My iPhone / Find My Device before the theft in case it happens.

ATM Fraud Near Eduardo Ribeiro Boulevard

medium

Modified ATMs near the tourist zone along Av. Eduardo Ribeiro and inside the Manaus shopping malls have been found with skimming overlays that copy card data. Separately, money exchange touts operating near Praca da Policia offer informal dollar-to-real exchange and consistently shortchange tourists by folding bills deceptively or palming notes during the count.

How to avoid: Use only ATMs inside major bank branches during business hours and cover the keypad when entering your PIN. Decline all street currency exchange offers and use a licensed exchange house with posted rates or your bank card for cash withdrawals.

Scam types

What types of scams occur in Manaus?

Tour & Activities

Unlicensed guides, fake tickets, bait-and-switch excursions, and ticket scalping.

4

Street Scams

Pickpockets, distraction thieves, fake petitions, and street hustles in tourist areas.

3

Taxi & Transport

Overcharging, meter tampering, fake taxis, and transport cons targeting tourists.

1

Restaurant Scams

Inflated bills, hidden charges, tourist menus, and food service tricks.

1

Accommodation Scams

Fake listings, bait-and-switch hotels, ghost rentals, and check-in fraud.

1

Other months

Is Manaus safe in other months?

JanuaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Common questions

Manaus in February — answered

Is Manaus safe to visit in February?

Manaus is moderate risk for tourists in February. This is summer / peak season for the South America region. Our database documents 13 scams year-round — during February, peak summer season brings maximum tourist volume and correspondingly higher scam activity across all documented categories. The most common risks are tour & activities, street scams, taxi & transport.

Is February a good time to visit Manaus?

February is the busiest time for tourists in Manaus. Expect maximum crowds, highest prices, and the most concentrated scam activity. The trade-off is generally the best weather and full availability of tours and activities.

What scams are most common in Manaus during February?

The documented scam types in Manaus are consistent year-round: Tour & Activities, Street Scams, Taxi & Transport, Restaurant Scams. During February (summer / peak season), all categories see increased activity as tourist volume peaks. The specific scams and their locations remain the same regardless of season.

Is it crowded in Manaus in February?

Tourist crowd levels in Manaus during February are high. Major attractions, transport, and tourist areas will be at maximum capacity. Book ahead and expect queues.

Should I get travel insurance for Manaus in February?

Travel insurance is recommended for Manaus regardless of when you visit. Peak season brings higher theft risk and more travel disruptions from overbooked services. Look for policies covering medical emergencies, theft/mugging, trip cancellation, and 24/7 emergency assistance.

What should I pack for Manaus in February?

Beyond weather-appropriate clothing for February in South America, pack with scam prevention in mind: a cross-body bag with RFID-blocking (pickpocketing is documented in Manaus), photocopies of your passport stored separately from the original, a phone case with a wrist strap (phone theft is reported), and a portable charger to maintain access to transport apps and maps. Avoid visibly expensive jewelry or electronics in high-risk areas.

Editorial note: Seasonal risk assessments for Manaus are based on 13 year-round scam reports cross-referenced with regional travel patterns. Scam data is compiled from government travel advisories (US State Dept, UK FCDO, Australian DFAT), verified news sources, and traveler reports. Conditions change — always check current advisories before travel. Read our methodology →