Amazon River Cruises

Of all the amazing sights in the Amazon, the Meeting of Waters in Brazil shouldn’t be missed. At the confluence between the black waters of the Rio Negro and the sandy whitewater of the Solimões River the two rivers’ waters run side by side without much mixing for over 6 kilometers (3.7 miles).

The best time of year to visit the Amazon is during the shoulder season between the wet and dry seasons (varies by country). At this time of year river levels remain high, allowing Amazon river cruises to still navigate deep into the rainforest, and the fine weather draws out much of the wildlife.

If seeing the Amazon rainforest at its lushest and getting up close to lots of birds and mammals (and enjoying slightly cooler temperatures) sounds most attractive, then the wet season with its higher river levels might be your best choice.

If jungle hikes, fishing for piranha and other Amazon River fish species, or spotting exotic migratory birds appeals most to you, while still having the chance to see capuchin monkeys, kinkajou, and other mammals, you might be happier choosing the warmer, dry season when water levels are lower.

Our guests are awed by the Amazon at whatever time of year they visit. If you can’t decide, perhaps the best solution is to choose one season this year and the other in the future!

An Amazon vacation is a great option for adventurous families with adaptable kids – after all, where better to inspire and educate them about the natural world! Bear in mind younger children may be affected by the humidity levels, and noisy little ones may reduce the chances of spotting wildlife.

Many of our Amazon guides have children themselves and are skilled in keeping young ones entertained, and are naturally experts in spotting any potential natural dangers you may encounter. It should be noted many Amazon river cruises have minimum age requirements of 7 and above, but jungle lodges and private charters are often more flexible.

Swimming in the main channels of the Amazon river is generally not advised due to strong currents and boat traffic. Swimming in smaller tributaries and lakes is safer (especially the Amazon’s blackwater rivers), but always follow the safety advice of your guide.

Most people head to the Amazon to spot wildlife, and this can be done on daytime jungle walks, from canopy walkways and lookout towers, or on nighttime boat safaris. Other common Amazon Rainforest activities include piranha fishing and local community visits.

As previously mentioned, more adventurous travelers may swim in the Amazon (sometimes with pink river dolphins!) or go kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, or even tree climbing. In certain parts of the Amazon, float plane flights can also be arranged to get a real bird’s-eye view of the rainforest.

The cost of an Amazon cruise typically depends on itinerary length, boat comfort level and cabin category, although seasonal and single supplements may also apply. Short cruises of 4 days cost between $900 – $4,400 pp, and longer cruises of 7+ days from $1,800 – $9,600 pp based on double occupancy.

Some other Amazon river cruise cost factors to consider:

• If you wish to privately charter an Amazon river boat, costs can be significantly more, but can actually work out cheaper per person if your group fills the boat.
• There are also additional costs involved in accessing the remote parts of the Amazon when cruises depart from, namely the domestic flights to Iquitos (Peru), Coca (Ecuador), Manaus or Santarém (Brazil).
• Port fees and entrances to the national parks are typically included in your cruise cost.
• For those considering a luxury Amazon cruise, Rainforest Cruises are proud to offer a best-rate guarantee thanks to our unique relationships with operators.
• To get your cruise cheaper, keep apprised of the latest Amazon river cruise deals.