· I spent a month in Brazil a couple of years ago and did see the meeting of the waters, plus some pink river dolphins as an extra bonus! Have you considered staying in Santarem instead of Manaus? It is a much pleasanter place and there are many river trips organised through the hotels and agencies. It is definitely cheaper to try and organise something with a local guide when you get there.

There are several agencies in Santarem that you can book trips with. As a rough guide, I paid less than you have been quoted for a fantastic two-day trip, including an abundance of food, an overnight stay on board just off an Amazon island, fishing for piranhas and a canoe trip on the Amazon. Myself and my partner had a beautiful boat with cabin all to ourselves and our local guide was fantastic. I don't have contact details for him - we came to find him by word of mouth - but his name was Val!

Good luck - if you find him say hi from me!

Sarah Scott

· You're right to be sceptical about the cost of visiting this famous natural phenomenon, where the waters of the brown Solimoes and black Rio Nergo rivers meet and flow alongside for 2km before mingling.

I'm a Brazilian travel and tourism student in London, and an experienced Amazonian tour guide. Trips by small motor boat to the meeting alone from the floating dock in Manaus, taking an hour or less, can be had for as little as $15, with a little haggling. Tours combining other sights - like the local giant water lilies - will cost more, but the Ariau Hotel where you'll be staying can provide most of this in a much more natural setting. Of course, larger and more luxurious boats will cost more, but if you're comfortable with the basics you can save most of your $235 for other treats.
Carlos Barbosa

· The answer is a definite yes. There are a number of local tour companies in Manaus - mostly run by Amerindians - who are flexible and open to negotiation. It's two years since I was there so I can't remember prices exactly but for that kind of money you can get a three-day stay for two up the Amazon all in. Did the $235 include a helicopter?

I would say that one day is enough in Manaus - it's hot, very dirty and very crowded. Apart from the magnificent Opera House and the docks there's not much to see or do (unless you want to buy cheap electrical goods!)
Peter Berrell