Tefé is a town in Amazonas, Brazil. It is about 525 km by air or 595 km by river to the west of Manaus on the south bank of the Solimões River (the upper Amazon), on the lake formed by the mouth of the Tefé River. It had a population of 87,000 in 2020. Tefé is the major starting point for trips into the Mamiraua Reserve.

Understand

To get around town, the people of Tefe hop into boats. Even the outside world is only reachable by water or air.

Situated around 500 km (310 miles) west of the jungle city of Manaus, capital of Amazonas state, Tefe is the last outpost of civilization for scientists working at the Mamiraua Sustainable Development Reserve.

Get in

Rio Tefé, viewed from the reserve

There are two options to get here: by air, on a 50-minute flight from Manaus to the small local airstrip; or by river, a three-day boat ride. All goods come in through the river network, from fruit and furniture to television antennas.

There are no roads into Tefé.

By boat

Slow boats

From Manaus, departing from Porto de Manaus - Estação Hidroviária do Amazonas (rua Taqueirinha nr. 25). Cost about R$ 150.

• Fênix. About 1 day and 18 hours. Departs Tuesdays at 17:00. With stops in Codajás, Coari e Tefé. Tel: (92) 99996-0004, (92) 99984-0044.
• A Nunes II. About 1 day and 19 hours. Departs Tuesdays at 17:00. With stops in Codajás, Coari e Tefé. Tel: (92) 99228-1616, (97) 99156-0668. Email: navioanunes@gmail.com
• Leão de Judá. About 1 day and 19 hours. Departs Wednesdays at 17:00. This boat is headed for Uarini (with stops in Codajás, Coari, Tefé, and Alvarães). Tel: (92) 99977-4021, (92) 99906-0022.
• Comt. Severino Ferreira. About 1 day and 19 hours. Departs Thursdays at 23:00. With stops in Codajás, Coari e Tefé. Tel: (92) 9320-9969, (92) 8217-6303.
• Elyon Fernandes. About 3 days. Departs Thursdays at 11:00. This boat is headed for Uarini (with stops in Codajás, Coari, Tefé, and Alvarães). Tel: (92) 8115-0000, (92) 8138-7777.
• Monte Sinai. About 1 day and 19 hours. Departs Fridays at 10:00. With stops in Codajás, Coari e Tefé. Tel: (97) 8104-5719, (92) 9252-1989.
• Estrela de Davi. About 1 day and 19 hours. Departs Fridays at 17:00. With stops in Codajás, Coari e Tefé. Tel: (92) 99401-3461, (92) 99268-6206.
• Irmãos Miranda. About 1 day and 19 hours. Departs Sundays at 07:00. With stops in Codajás, Coari e Tefé. Tel: (92) 99151-2942, (92) 99142-8608. Email: veronica_fac@hotmail.com

Fast boats

From Manaus, departing from Manaus Moderna - Terminal Ajato - Balsa Laranja (Av. Beira Rio).

• Lancha Crystal I. About 14 hours. Departs Manaus Tuesdays at 06:00 and arrives in Tefé at 19:30. Departs Tefé (returns to Manaus) Fridays at 05:00. This boat is headed for Tabatinga (with stops). Costs about R$ 300.
• Ajato 2000. About 12-14 hours. Departs Manaus Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturdays at 06:00 and arrives in Tefé at 14:00. Departs Tefé (returns to Manaus) Wednesdays, Tuesday, Thursdays, and Sundays. This boat is headed for Tabatinga (with stops in Codajás and Coari). Costs about R$ 300.
• Madame Crys. About 15 hours. Departs Manaus Thursdays at 06:00 and arrives in Tefé at 21:00. Departs Tefé (returns to Manaus) Sundays at 03:30. This boat is headed for Tabatinga (with stops in Codajás, Coari, Tefé, Fonte Boa, Jutaí, Tonantins, Santo Antônio do Içá, Amaturá, São Paulo de Olivença, and Benjamin Constant). Costs about R$ 230.
• Glória de Deus III. About 15 hours. Departs Manaus Fridays at 06:00 and arrives in Tefé at 21:00. Departs Tefé (returns to Manaus) Mondays at 04:00. This boat is headed for Tabatinga (with stops in Codajás, Coari, Tefé, Alvarães, Fonte Boa, Jutaí, Tonantins, Santo Antonio do Içá, Amaturá, São Paulo de Olivença, and Benjamin Constant). Costs about R$ 280.
• Cidade do Manaquiri. About 12 hours. Departs Manaus Sundays at 06:00 and arrives in Tefé at 19:30. Departs Tefé (returns to Manaus) Wednesdays at 05:30. This boat is headed for Tabatinga (with stops in Codajás, Coari, Tefé, Alvarães, Fonte Boa, Jutaí, Tonantins, Santo Antônio do Içá, Amaturá, São Paulo de Olivença and Benjamin Constant). Costs about R$ 260. (updated Aug 2016)

By plane

Azul operates flights from Manaus to Tefé Airport. Flights are 1 or 1½ hours.

Get around

Tefé is a small town in the countryside of the Amazon. To get around, one can hire a mototaxi, which costs around $3,00 reais one way.

Do

• Visit the Mamirauá Sustainable Development Reserve.

Eat

You can eat a good carne de sol at Stylus Bar. Pizzaria Varandas is another good choice. Also, Dragon Express serves good yakisoba, with cheap prices, English-speaking attendants and 24-hour delivery available.

Sleep

• Aedra Praia Hotel, R. Duque de Caxias, 201, ☏ +55 97 3343-2306. (updated Aug 2016)
• Ney's place, Rua Moacir ViegadaGama, 849 bairro SãoJoão, ☏ +55 97 98119-8783. US$50,00. (updated Aug 2020)
• Anilses Hotéis, Rua Quintino Bocaiúva, 294, ☏ +55 97 3343-2416. (updated Aug 2016)
• Pousada Multicultura, Rua 15 de Junho 136, ☏ +55 97 3343-6632. Overlooks Lake Tefé. (updated Aug 2016)