Parque do Mindú

Lonely Planet review

Believe it or not, Manaus has its own endemic primate: the tiny Sanguinus bicolor , better known as the pied bare-face tamarin. The species is critically endangered, with no known groups in the open forest - they seem to thrive only in areas of secondary growth - and are notoriously difficult to breed in captivity. The best place to observe this curious and vanishing creature is Parque do Mindú, located in a residential area of Manaus.

The 33-hectare (81.5-acre) park has a system of eight intersecting trails, including sections of elevated walkways and an orchid house. Volunteer guides can help visitors locate the tamarins (early morning and late afternoon are best) and point out other flora and fauna along the way, from açai palms to jacaré (crocodiles). This is by no means a journey into the wild - the trails are wide and the river running through the park is heavily polluted from upstream dumping - but it's a worthwhile outing nonetheless, especially if you manage to spot the resident monkeys. Note that Sunday, when locals turn out for a buffet breakfast spread, can be very crowded.