Praia de Ponta Negra

Ponta Negra is an urban beach along the Rio Negro in Manaus, stretching about two kilometers beside the river. The fine sand forms a gentle slope into the water, surrounded by palm trees and paved riverside paths made with Portuguese stone.

Indigenous groups used this area along the river long before European settlers arrived. The city transformed the site into a public beach park during the 1990s, adding infrastructure for visitors.

The beach takes its name from the dark waters of the Rio Negro, colored by organic matter from the rainforest. Visitors see this strong contrast between the pale sand and the nearly black river, which defines the region.

The water is shallower and warmer during the dry season between September and November, when the river reaches its lowest level. Several viewing platforms along the shore offer shaded seating and clear views across the wide river.

An amphitheater at the western end of the beach hosts concerts and theater performances, especially on weekends. During the rainy season, the river rises so much that the sandy area completely disappears under water and only reemerges months later.