Museu do Seringal Vila Paraíso (Rubber Museum)
Igarapé São João waterway, Manaus, Amazonas
This rubber estate turned museum is the last vestige of the Amazon region’s once booming rubber industry, which brought an influx of riches to Manaus during the late 19th century. Here, visitors can explore a reconstructed rubber tapper shack and smokehouse to learn more about the rubber making process and the people behind it.
The basics
Marooned on the banks of the Black River and reachable only by boat, the museum and recreated rubber estate is one of the Amazon region’s most unique sites. Visitors can step inside a former rubber baron’s home, explore the workers’ living quarters, and see live latex extracting demonstrations.
Tours from Manaus typically include round-trip transportation by boat, a guided tour of the rubber estate, and a swimming stop at Tupé Beach during the return trip to town. Combine a visit to the Rubber Museum with a stop at the Teatro Amazonas, which owes its existence to the wealth of the rubber boom.
Things to know before you go
- Bring a rain jacket or poncho in case of a sudden downpour, a frequent occurrence in the Amazon.
- Plan to spend at least half a day visiting the museum, including the time it takes to get there and back.
- Wear shoes you don’t mind getting dirty, as the ground is often quite muddy.
How to get there
The Museu do Seringal Vila Paraíso is located on the Igarapé São João waterway, around 20 minutes by boat from Marina do Davi in Ponta Negra. Visitors traveling independently can often hire a boat themselves, but it’s often more convenient to take a guided tour.
When to get there
The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday throughout the year. Plan to visit on a day with little rain in the forecast, as the visit involves a boat ride and several outdoor areas on the rubber estate grounds.
Best museums in Manaus
The Rubber Museum ranks among the best in Manaus, but it’s not the only one worth visiting. The Manaus Opera House (also known as The Amazon Theater) has a museum chronicling the history of the building and its connection to the rubber boom. For deep dives into the region’s ecology and biodiversity, visit the Museu da Amazonia (MUSA), an outdoor preserve with nature trails and a 135-foot (41-meter) observation tower.
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