Parque do Mindú

Believe it or not, Manaus has its own endemic primate: the tiny Sanguinus bicolor, better known as the pied bare-faced tamarin. The species is critically endangered, with no known groups in the open forest – they seem to have evolved to thrive only in areas of secondary growth – yet notoriously difficult to breed in captivity. The best place to observe this curious and vanishing creature is Parque do Mindú , a 33-hectare park in a residential area of Manaus about 6km from the center. The 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 açaí palms to jacaré (caimans). 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. Sunday can be very crowded, however, when locals turn out for a buffet breakfast spread. Parque do Mindu is in the Parque Dez district; from the center, take bus 423, 433, 407 or 427 (R$1.50, 30 minutes).