Amazon Rainforest Travel Guide
The definitive Amazon Rainforest travel guide with tips on how to visit, expert Amazon River cruise advice, and ideas for planning a trip to the Amazon Rainforest for the most rewarding of Amazon vacations.
- Tips
7 Best Family Destinations In South America
Soaring mountains, incredible wildlife and beaches, historical remains, the greatest natural and manmade wonders in the world, and spectacular cultural highlights from food to art, South America is a perfect destination for […]
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Traveling To Brazil With Kids: Top Tips & Things To Do
Brazil is a great place to take the kids on vacation. It’s a very child-friendly nation where you can be confident your little ones will be well looked after. Besides the fact […]
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7 Best Hotels In Brazil
Villa Amazonia Boutique Hotel, Manaus Manaus is the main gateway to adventures in the Brazilian Amazon. The old historical center is a living testimony to a bygone age when the city was […]
- Inspiration
When Is The Best Time To Visit Brazil?
Summertime in Brazil is from December through March, and winter is June through September but the further north you go, the higher the temperature and the humidity. In fact, the Northeast is […]
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When Is The Best Time To Visit Peru?
Iced-over mountains rearing past 20,000 feet, yawning and mist-clawed selva soundtracked by bellowing howler monkeys, ethereal desert hills easing down to the surf: Peru’s scenic variety can bowl you over. Throw in […]
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11 Insects Of The Amazon Rainforest That Must Be Seen To Be Believed
It is no secret that South America’s Amazon Rainforest is one of the most biologically diverse places in the world – around one in ten of all the known animal species in […]
- Inspiration
15 Astonishing Facts About The Amazon River
One of the true natural wonders of the world, the Amazon River is an incredible stretch of water weaving through the Amazon rainforest of South America. For centuries it has been one […]
- Culture
How Do Indigenous Tribes Live in the Amazon Rainforest?
The words ‘Amazon Rainforest’ conjures up images of lush green canopies, exotic wildlife, and tantalizing rivers meandering out of sight. But this tropical paradise is also home to potentially as many as […]
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Nocturnal Animals Found in the Amazon Rainforest
The Amazon Rainforest, situated across nine countries in South America, is one of the most intriguing and organically diverse places on the planet filled with protected areas for plants and animals alike. […]
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The Amazon Rainforest’s Cacao Tree
The Amazon Rainforest is known for being one of the most biodiverse areas on the planet. Its natural wealth, however, goes far beyond the animals that roam the land and river. When […]
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A Guide To The Pacaya Samiria National Reserve
Deep within the Amazon rainforest, the largest protected area in Peru contains a flooded tropical forest called the “Jungle of Mirrors”. The Pacaya Samiria National Reserve is the second largest ecological reserve in […]
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Ecuador Amazon Rainforest Weather
For those planning an Amazon tour in Ecuador’s Oriente you are probably wondering when the best time to visit the Amazon in Ecuador is. Ecuador’s Amazon rainforest weather is determined by several […]
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Endangered Animals of the Amazon Rainforest
The Amazon Rainforest has one of the highest levels of biodiversity on earth and is home to hundreds of thousands of animal, bird, and insect species. Unfortunately, this utopia of wildlife and […]
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Victoria Water Lily Facts
You could travel the entire world for the rest of your life and you are unlikely to find anywhere as fascinating as the Amazon Rainforest, home to the Victoria Water Lily. Shrouded […]
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Amazon Orchid Facts
The Amazon Rainforest is home to an immense level of biodiversity, including the fascinating Amazon Orchids. Plants and animals of all shapes and sizes can be found lurking under the rainforest’s leafy […]
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Giant Otter: Prodigious Predator Of The Amazon & Pantanal
The whole world is completely in awe of the giant river otters of South America. For many travelers, catching a glimpse of this powerful predator is a highlight of their trip. But, […]
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The Meeting of the Waters In Manaus, Brazil
A vacation in South America will be full of wonder and amazement. From the snow-capped peaks of the mighty mountain ranges to the coral reefs that decorate the oceans – there is […]
- Inspiration
Where Is The Amazon River & Where Does Is Start And End?
The Amazon River is located in Amazon Rainforest in the northern portion of South America. It originates high in the Andes Mountains of Peru and flows eastwards on a meandering 4,000-mile (6,400 […]
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What Things Are There To Do In Puerto Maldonado, Peru?
A delightful change from the brisk chill of Peru’s mountainous region, Puerto Maldonado is the perfect introduction to the Amazon. The town itself is small but lively and is surrounded by thick, […]
- Inspiration
Where is the Amazon Rainforest Located?
The Amazon Rainforest is located in 9 different countries but the majority of it (around 60%) is located in Brazil. The rest of it can be found in Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, […]
12 Best Places To Visit In South America
South America tours are a traveler’s dream, offering something for everyone, from biodiverse rainforests, endemic wildlife, cascading waterfalls and vast river systems, to archaeological wonders, stunning landscapes and captivating cities. The world’s fourth […]
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Top 10 Macaw Facts
Macaws are one of the most charismatic and colorful species you’ll find in South America. Members of the larger parrot family, their size and vivid plumage, along with their rather loud behavior, […]
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Top 8 Blue Morpho Butterfly Facts
The Amazon rainforest is the most biodiverse environment on Earth, home to an incredible array of captivating creatures that truly have to be seen to be believed. Due to their size and […]
- Cuisine
Eating Suri in the Amazon
The rich Amazon region is chock full of many weird and wonderful gastronomic delicacies, but perhaps none is more bizarre than Suri, a type of worm that’s a highly popular, specialty in […]
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How To Fish For Piranha
A fish that hardly needs any introduction, the razor-toothed piranha is a bucket-list sighting for any Amazonian adventure. Some fishermen come to the region for larger prize fish, but fishing for piranha […]
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Meaning Behind Face Paint of Amazon Tribes
The tribes of the Amazon carry many of their traditional practices into their lifestyle today, one of which is the use of face paint. For centuries, tribal face painting has held a […]
- Nature
Clay Licks Of The Amazon Rainforest
You may or may not have heard of the famous clay licks of the Amazon rainforest: exotic parrots like macaws gather here daily to eat the clay, creating the perfect destination for […]
- Cuisine
Amazon Rainforest Food: 11 Traditional Dishes You Have To Eat
The Amazon Rainforest is fast gaining international recognition for its vibrant and ever-evolving cuisine. Its incredible biodiversity gives rise to an astonishing variety of fresh and exotic ingredients, many of which are […]
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How To Avoid Mosquito Bites In The Amazon
Many people assume that mosquitoes are a ubiquitous presence in places like the Amazon, and they’d be right as they do thrive in the hot, humid, and densely vegetated environment of the […]
- Tips
Best Binoculars for the Amazon
A quality pair of binoculars is an indispensable piece of kit for any Amazon river cruise. The Brazilian and Peruvian rainforests are awash with a wide range of fantastic bird specifies that […]
- Inspiration
Manu National Park: A First-Timer’s Guide
Manu National Park is one of the largest protected areas in the world, containing much of the Peruvian Amazon’s greatest flora and fauna. Almost 25,000 rare and endemic species reside here, with […]
- Cuisine
Eating Kosher In The Brazilian Amazon
Any person who eats kosher will be aware of the potential difficulties involved in maintaining the practice when traveling, especially if it involves international trips to remote and exotic locations, like the […]
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Top 6 Piranha Facts
Piranhas are freshwater fish commonly found in the Amazon basin. There are around 30 species in known existence, with average sizes ranging from 5 to 10 inches in length – though in […]
- Inspiration
Nauta, Peru – The Gateway To Pacaya-Samiria
You may not have heard of Nauta, but virtually all Peru Amazon River cruises depart from this small port on the northern bank of the Marañón River, 11km from its confluence with […]
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Amazon Photography Tips
Our Amazon river cruises offer some incredible opportunities for budding photographers, from close-up shots of mammals, birdlife and reptiles, to sweeping panoramas of the forest canopy and expansive waterways. But the heat, […]
- Inspiration
Top 10 Amazon Jungle Lodges Manaus
Most Brazil Amazon Rainforest lodges are located around Manaus, the gateway city to the Amazon and capital of the Amazonas state in the north of the country. A jungle lodge experience is […]
- Culture
Top 11 Movies About the Amazon Jungle
Looking for movies about the Amazon Jungle? The largest rainforest in the world, at over 2.3 million miles squared, is home to over 5,000 species of known fish (including the infamous piranha!), […]
- Nature
Amazon Caiman Facts
Swimming in the exotic Amazon River is some of the world’s most fascinating species: piranhas, pink dolphins, manatees (to name just a few). Amongst them is the elusive caiman, a carnivorous semi-aquatic […]
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Loud Sounds of the Amazon Jungle
An Amazon rainforest vacation is truly an experience for all of the senses: sight, smell, sound, taste and touch. Immediately upon arrival, you’ll notice the sounds of the Amazon and depending on […]
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Spiders Of The Amazon
The Amazon rainforest is known for being home to an incredible range of animals and wildlife. Jaguars, manatees, sloths, toucans, butterflies, medicinal plants … and spiders. There are about 3,600 species of […]
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Top 10 Medicinal Plants Of The Amazon
The Amazon rainforest is known for its rich biodiversity, but few realize that this natural wealth goes far deeper than just the animals and beautiful flora. The rare plants of the Amazon […]
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15 Interesting Pink River Dolphin Facts
With so many exotic species living in the Amazon rainforest, most people forget that it’s not only the rainforest canopy and dense undergrowth that is home to wildlife. The Amazon River itself […]
- Inspiration
Which Is Better Iquitos Or Puerto Maldonado?
No trip to Peru is complete without a trip to the Amazon. But with so much space and multiple ports to enter through, it’s hard to know the difference between which Amazonian […]
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Amazonian Manatee: The Manatees Of The Amazon River
Found in the freshwater habitats of the Amazon basin, the Amazonian manatee is one of the many fascinating aquatic mammals that call the waters of the Amazon it’s home. Curious in appearance, […]
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Top 6 Amazon Rainforest Monkeys To Spot
For many people the allure of viewing monkeys in their natural habitat is one of the main reason to go on an Amazon Rainforest tour. Maybe it’s the close relation to our […]
- Inspiration
Top 15 Amazon Rainforest Activities
The Amazon Rainforest is truly like no other place on Earth, the ultimate haven for wildlife and nature lovers. This remarkable realm has a host of activities for adventurous explorers from which […]
- Inspiration
A Guide To The Anavilhanas Archipelago
One of the most unique environments on earth, the Anavilhanas Archipelago is a complex of over 400 islands in the middle of the Amazon in Brazil. Described by some as a “flooded […]
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Sloths in the Amazon Rainforest
The Amazon rainforest is known for its incredible biodiversity and is home to a rich assortment of fascinating wildlife. The sloth, a crowd favorite, is one of the most interesting animals that […]
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Poisonous Plants In The Amazon Rainforest
It should come as no surprise that, in the Amazon Rainforest, you can find many exotic species of venomous animals and poisonous plants. They are all incredibly fascinating in their own right […]
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Amazon River Fish: Best Known Species
The immense ecosystem of the Amazon Rainforest means looking for fish in the Amazon can be a pretty exciting experience. From the weird and wonderful to the outright bizarre-looking, the Amazon River […]
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National Parks of the Amazon Rainforest
The Amazon is the world’s largest rainforest, Located in the heart of South America the Amazon covers 2.6 million square miles of land, and over 44% of that is protected, that’s an […]
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Ecosystems of the Amazon Rainforest
The enormous Amazon basin is made up of a web of ecosystems and unique landscapes. This region produces about 20% of the Earth’s oxygen and is vital to our survival. Due to […]
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How To Stay Safe In The Amazon Rainforest
A tour of the Amazon Rainforest is a remarkable experience. There is, however, some important safety information you should know before taking an Amazon vacation. When traveling in the Amazon there are some […]
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Amazon Rainforest Birds: Species List & Top 10
The Amazon Rainforest is home to untold biodiversity, with new species being discovered every year. The megafauna predators often get the most attention, but Amazon Rainforest birds are worthy of the trip […]
- Inspiration
10 Books About The Amazon River
There is nothing more blissful than reading a book on the deck of your Amazon riverboat, watching the jungle scenery pass by. What better way to enhance your jungle experience than learning […]
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Jungle Packing List: What To Pack For The Amazon Rainforest
For many travelers, visiting the Amazon jungle is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, and since the Amazonian environment isn’t like anywhere else, it can be difficult to know what to pack. Knowing what to […]
- Inspiration
10 Best Iquitos Amazon Lodges
A great way to immerse yourself into the Amazon jungle is to stay in an incredible Iquitos amazon lodge right in the heart of the Peruvian Amazon. There are a number of […]
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How To Get To Santarém, Brazil
The beautiful port town Santarém in the Para region of Brazil, it is located where the Amazon River meets the Rio Tapajos. Santarém is a great town to start your Amazon river […]
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When Is The Best Time To Visit The Amazon Rainforest In Brazil?
The Brazilian Amazon is the largest area of the Amazon Rainforest – with almost 60% of the entire Rainforest in Brazil. You can access this part of the Amazon by traveling to […]
- Inspiration
Where To Stay In Manaus: The Best Hotels
The Amazonas state capital city of Manaus is a great starting point for exploring the Brazilian Amazon. It’s also a destination in itself, as Manaus has plenty to do, and can easily […]
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Best Time Of Year To Visit Manaus, Brazil
Manaus, in the heart of the Brazilian Amazon, is a great city from which you can explore the Amazon Rainforest, the biggest tropical forest on Earth. Understanding the Manaus climate may help […]
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How To Get To Manaus (… And Around The City)
The vast country of Brazil contains over half of the entire Amazon rainforest. So if you love adventure, Brazil’s Amazon city, Manaus – the capital of the Brazilian State of Amazonas – […]
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Largest Snake in the Amazon: Top 10 Anaconda Facts
The Anaconda is a well-known species in today’s culture. Movies, books, and the internet boast the dangers of this “monster-like” snake. But are all of these rumors true? You might be wondering […]
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How To Get To Iquitos, Peru
No place on earth compares to the Peruvian Amazon; it is one of the largest untouched stretches of rainforest in South America and offers you the chance to experience an Amazon river […]
- Inspiration
The Best Time To Visit Iquitos, Peru
There surely could be no more fitting place for an Amazon vacation than in Iquitos, Peru – a city that can only be reached by air or water; there are no roads […]
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Where to Stay in Iquitos, Peru
If you don’t want to stay in a lodge in the depths of the Peruvian Amazon, or merely just want to experience city life in the rainforest before your Amazon river cruise, […]
- Inspiration
Top 15 Iquitos Tourist Attractions
The untouched Amazon Rainforest surrounding Iquitos is undoubtedly the main reason why travelers visit this jungle city, but Iquitos should not only be considered a jumping-off point for a Peru Amazon tour. […]
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Exploration Of The Amazon Rainforest: A Brief History
Have you ever wondered who first explored the Amazon Rainforest? Here we get to know the historical pioneers of Amazon rainforest exploration, and the hardships they went through (and caused) to fully discover […]
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A Guide To The Perfect Honeymoon In The Amazon Rainforest
So you’ve recently said “Yes!” and have your wedding planning on the way. Now it’s time for you to start putting together your dream Honeymoon. Are you out of honeymoon ideas? Skip […]
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The Coolest Plants In The Amazon Rainforest
Home to an estimated 40,000 plant species, including 16,000 native tree types, with new ones still being discovered on a regular basis, the Amazon Rainforest is one gigantic expanse of greenery and […]
- Culture
Uncontacted Tribes Of The Amazon Rainforest
Uncontacted Amazon Tribes – are they truly ‘uncontacted’? Can they really exist in this modern world of advanced technology? If so, how many are left? Should we contact them, or do they […]
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Amazon Tours For People With Disabilities
The Amazon Rainforest and its vast labyrinth of meandering rivers and tangled vines have for centuries been a top destination for intrepid explorers. Thanks to new and more frequent flight schedules to […]
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Sharks In The Amazon River?
Sharks only live in the sea … don’t they? We know that when the first Spanish explorers saw the mighty Amazon River they called it “The Great Inland Sea”, but it is […]
- Inspiration
Top 10 Things To Do In Iquitos, Peru
If you are heading to Peru to discover the Amazon rainforest, chances are you will be headed in the direction of Iquitos, the gateway to the Peruvian Amazon. Just a native village […]
- Inspiration
10 Fun Things To Do In Manaus, Brazil
If you are traveling to the Brazilian Amazon, chances are you will be heading to Manaus, the gateway to this remarkable rainforest realm. As some inspiration for your itinerary, here are 10 […]
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Top 10 Facts About Hummingbirds
Hummingbirds (Trochilidae) are abundant in South America, the misty slopes of the Andes Mountains and enchanting swathes of Amazon Rainforest abuzz with some 140 different hummingbirds species. These nectar-loving Neotropical birds barely rest […]
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The Legend Of El Mayantu
Not every creature in the Amazon rainforest is out to get you, so long as you have good intentions, that is … According to legend, in the depths of Peru’s Amazon rainforest, […]
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10 Bizarre Creatures of the Amazon Rainforest
The Amazon rainforest is home to a startling array of different species of flora and fauna, and the magic of evolution has resulted in some beautiful, fascinating, and in some cases, bizarre […]
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Is The Amazon River Longer Than The Nile?
What is the longest river in the world? The Amazon or the Nile? This debate has been going on for years. For most of the last century, the Nile has been considered […]
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Top 10 Facts About Jaguars
Here is our list of the top 10 facts about jaguars. If you are lucky enough, you might spot one on your Amazon river cruise or Pantanal tour. 1. The name jaguar […]
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Dinosaur Fish Of The Amazon: The Arapaima
The arapaima is the largest freshwater fish with scales in the world and can be found in the South American tropical waters of the Amazon basin. This massive ‘dinosaur fish’ is essentially unchanged since […]
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10 Super Fruits Of The Amazon Rainforest
Quinoa and maca, the famous Incan super-foods from the Andes mountain region, have already made their mark on North American and European diets, but as scientists expand their research, a new wave […]
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The Story Of Juliane Koepcke: Surviving the Amazon Rainforest
Juliane Koepcke has one of the most impressive and enthralling survival stories of the Amazon rainforest. Incredible good fortune, a determination to survive, and some basic survival training learned from her father […]
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13 Interesting Poison Dart Frogs Facts
Poison dart frogs have long been used by the indigenous peoples of South America. They learned centuries ago that rolling a blow-dart or arrow tip over a live frog’s skin creates a […]
- Inspiration
Inspirational Jungle Quotes
Whether they be used as a means of inspiration, to invoke philosophical thoughts, to provide concise information, or to illuminate meaning, a quote is a powerful literary tool. Here are a few […]
- Inspiration
A Brief History Of Iquitos Peru
Iquitos in the Region of Loreto is the largest city in the Peruvian Amazon with almost half a million inhabitants. It’s the largest city in the world not accessible by road – […]
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Bigfoot Of The Amazon Jungle: The Mapinguari
Many will be familiar with tales of the sasquatch of North America and the Yeti of the Himalayas, but have you heard of the Bigfoot of the Amazon? The vast Amazonian jungles […]
- Inspiration
Manaus Opera House & Festival Amazonas de Ópera
A highlight to any vacation to Brazil is the Amazon, and Manaus is the undisputed gateway and home to a unique historical gem, the Teatro Amazonas. With music and theater performances from […]
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Amazon Rainforest Animals: A Jungle Jamboree
The Amazon Rainforest has unparalleled biodiversity, a jungle jamboree of amazing animals (some weirder than others). The National Academy of Sciences claims that any four-square-mile patch of the Amazon rainforest can contain more than […]
- Nature
15 Fascinating Facts About The Amazon Rainforest
There is truly nowhere else in the world like the Amazon rainforest. A mysterious realm of mind-boggling biodiversity, it is home to some of the most bizarre and astonishing creatures, and the […]
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Amazonian River Types: Blackwater, Whitewater & Clearwater
Home to the mighty River Amazon and its many tributaries, Amazonia is defined by its extensive network of waterways. But not all of its rivers are the same. Within the Amazon, there […]
- Inspiration
A Bird’s-Eye View Of The Amazon From Above By Floatplane
We at Rainforest Cruises have often wondered why you are given life jackets on a plane and not parachutes? It’s not as if you are given a parachute on any of our Amazon […]
- Tips
Amazon Rainforest Weather: Seasons & Best Time To Visit
If you are planning an Amazon vacation in Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, or Bolivia, you will no doubt be wanting to know what the weather is going to be like, and when would […]
- Inspiration
Manaus, Brazil: A Short History
Manaus is the capital of the Amazonas state in Brazil, and is a popular ecotourism destination. Almost 50% of the Amazon River’s population lives in the city, making it the primary cultural […]
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Visiting The Amazon Rainforest With Kids
We are often asked whether going to the Amazon Rainforest with kids is a good idea or not. Young families are just as eager to visit the world’s largest rainforest as anybody […]
- Tips
Amazon River Cruise or Lodge Stay?
We are often asked by travelers which is better, an Amazon cruise or jungle lodge? In this post, we make an honest attempt at tackling this common Amazon vacation conundrum, by comparing […]
- Nature
Threats Facing The Amazon Rainforest
In previous blog posts, Rainforest Cruises has examined a few of the ‘potential perils‘ facing travelers heading on a trip to the Amazon, nearly all of which have been proven exaggerated or outright […]
- Culture
The Legend Of The Pink River Dolphin
The Pink River Dolphin is the subject of an interesting legend in the Amazon. It is believed that in the evening, the River Dolphin can transform itself into a man, hypnotizing and […]
- Nature
Do Human-Eating Piranha Exist? – Myth Vs Reality
During an Amazon tour, you will almost certainly come across Piranha. In fact, most cruises allow you to fish for piranha! They are freshwater fish that inhabits South American rivers, particularly in the […]
- Nature
Dangers Of The Amazon River – Myth Vs Reality
Ever since Europeans arrived on the continent of South America, the Amazon has been the stuff of legend, a realm full of adventure yet fraught with perilous dangers. Even its name, ‘Amazon’ is […]
- Inspiration
Ayapua Boat Museum: Peru’s Historical Rubber Era Riverboat
The Ayapua (pronounced Ah-ya-Pooah) is perhaps the best way to get a glimpse into what life was like on a historical Amazon riverboat. It is one of the few remaining “Rubber Era” […]
- Tips
A Guide To Belen Market In Iquitos, Peru
To visit Belen Market in Iquitos, Peru, is to subject the five senses to a world of stunning stimulation. One of Iquitos’ most unique attractions, Belen and its market is located on […]
- Inspiration
Manatee Rescue Center Iquitos
The Amazonian Manatee (Trichechus inunguis) is a freshwater species of manatee that inhabits the Amazon basin. It habitat includes Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana and Venezuela. To learn more about this graceful […]
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