Depending on the neighborhood, Manaus can be a confusing city to maneuver your way through by yourself, but most areas are structured around a couple central streets. I feel very safe walking around here during the day. Ubers are super afforadable and accessible. Before moving to Manaus, I had considered renting a car for easier mobility upon my arrival but quickly decided that I did not have the nerve to go up against the sea of motos. Uber drivers are always super friendly and excited to talk to me, because I'm a foreigner. I have had some extremely kind Uber drivers who have made me feel very at home here. Boats feel a lot like the motos, because they are fast and a bit reckless, but also very fun.
When rain comes, the streets are even more chaotic. Some areas become unsafe to drive during periods of rain due to flooding and potholes becoming invisible to the driver's eyes, but people drive anyways. Moto drivers typcially carry equipment to be able to drive in heavy rain, and people brave the most extreme storms with their umbrellas. If the streets become too dangerous, motos and pedestrains find some shelter and wait out the worst of the storm. On the other hand, there are certain driving customs related to heat. For car drivers and buses that don't have air conditioning, all windows are kept open unless it is badly raining. Even though houses are small, most houses have covered parking lots for their cars. Boats are a necessity here, as a lot of neighborhoods, communities and beaches can only be reached by boats.
