Central Manaus is compact enough to walk between the main sights — the Teatro, the cathedral, the Mercado, and the port are within a few blocks of each other. Beyond the centre, the city sprawls and the heat is punishing, so taxis and ride-hailing apps (Uber and 99 both operate) are the easiest way to get around. The bus system is extensive but routes can be hard to decipher for short visits.
Boats are the city's other circulation system. The Estação Hidroviária downtown is the gateway to slow river travel — from a few hours to several days. For Encontro das Águas and short jungle excursions, motorised canoes leave from the wharves at the eastern end of the port. The Manaus monorail, conceived for the 2014 World Cup, was never finished and remains a stalled curiosity.