The Bosque da Ciência is the easiest way to see Amazonian wildlife in Manaus. A network of shaded trails winds through a remnant of urban rainforest at the INPA campus in the north of the city, past pools holding rescued manatees, an enclosure of giant otters, a Victoria water-lily tank, monkeys and sloths in the trees overhead, and tanks of pirarucu and electric eels.
The Casa da Ciência exhibition explains the research INPA does on biodiversity, fisheries, and climate. It is run by working scientists rather than by zoo specialists, so it is unflashy but informative. A taxi from the centre takes about 20 minutes; afternoons are quieter than mornings.