"It's true -- some may seek to deny or delay the clean energy revolution that's underway in America. But nobody -- nobody -- can reverse it," Biden declared in the city of Manaus.

Biden, on a valedictory tour of South America before handing over power to Trump in January, is the first sitting US president to visit the Amazon.

The 81-year-old flew over the rainforest by helicopter, visited a museum at the gateway to the Amazon and met with Indigenous leaders.

He used the occasion to promote his record on combatting climate change in the face of a pledge by Trump, a climate skeptic, to "drill, baby, drill" for fossil fuels on his return to power.

"Folks, we don't have to choose between an environment and the economy. We can do both. We've proven it back home," Biden said.

"I will leave my successor and my country a strong foundation to build on if they choose to do so."

Trump takes over from Biden as US president in a January 20 inauguration ceremony.