The Amazon FAQs

The dry season in the Amazon runs Jul-Dec. This period features intense heat and humidity but relatively limited rainfall. Water levels in lakes and rivers recede during these months, exposing trails and beaches while reducing the number of mosquitoes.

In the wet season (Jan-Jun), tropical rainfall brings high water levels and flooded forests. At this time there is better boat access to wetlands and temporarily flooded woodland. This makes it easier to cover greater distances by boat and see more wildlife in otherwise inaccessible areas. The wet season also offers slightly cooler temperatures, although the high humidity remains.

Note that on the northern edges of the Amazon basin, north of the equator, dry season is roughly Dec to early May, wet late May to mid-Sep.

For more detailed information visit our When To Go section.

In the Amazon region of Brazil, Brazilian Portuguese, a more languid and musical version of Portugal’s mother tongue is spoken. Elsewhere Spanish is spoken. Indigenous tribes speak their own languages as well as or instead of the Latin ones.

Outside major cities such as Manaus and Iquitos, or larger river ports such as Leticia or Puerto Maldonado, it is difficult to change money, so you are advised to acquire it before entering the Amazon region.

For wildlife lovers, holidays in the Amazon in Brazil combine well with a safari to the Pantanal wetlands; in Ecuador, with the Galápagos islands.

Domestic flights operate in all countries, for example into Manaus in Brazil, Iquitos or Puerto Maldonado in Peru, Leticia in Colombia, Rurrenebaque in Bolivia and Coca in Ecuador. There are also land routes from the Andes, for example into Manú in Peru and into the Ecuadorian Oriente; these can be long and arduous but very beautiful.

Manaus, the largest Amazonian city in Brazil where there are several major holidays and festivals including the Festival do Amazonas, June, with events and exhibitions including aspects of the region’s cultural life.

Iquitos is the largest Peruvian city in the Amazon and holds the San Juan Festival, at the end of June. The city was founded by Jesuit missionaries, and this festival originated as a tribute to St. John the Baptist. Processions along the Amazon are followed by feasting on local delicacies.