The Amazon jungle is the largest tropical rainforest in the world, spanning over 2.1 million square miles and six countries, including Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, and Colombia.
Its varied exotic plant and animal life make it one of the richest ecosystems on the planet, and the many indigenous cultures inhabiting it make it a truly unique part of the world to explore.
Though this is an exotic and adventurous part of the world to visit as a tourist, planning your own Amazon adventure needn’t be a daunting task. Below is some travel advice, so that you can organise your own trip to this incredible place.
The best time to visit the Amazon
The Amazon experiences heavy rainfall and humid temperatures across the year, however there is some variation with months of July to December being generally considered to be ‘low water season’, with slightly less rainfall and higher temperatures, and January to June being ‘high water season’, with slightly more rainfall and lower temperatures.
There are advantages to visiting in ‘low water season’, with some hiking trails being more accessible, and fewer mosquitoes, however, There are often fewer tourists in ‘high water season’, and accommodation and tour packages can be much cheaper.
How to get there
More than half of the Amazon rainforest is located in Brazil, and Brazil’s Amazon city – Manaus is perhaps the best way to travel to the rainforest.
UK travellers can fly to Manaus via several routes. British Airways offer direct flights to Brazil. Many other European airlines also offer flights to Brazil from major European cities such as Paris, Frankfurt and Madrid. A domestic flight can then be caught from Rio de Janeiro or Sao Paulo direct to The Manaus Eduardo Gomes International Airport. The airport is located 15km from the city centre, and travellers can take a bus or taxi into the city.
There are several Amazon jungle river cruises available from Manaus, and the duration of these ranges from two days to ten.
Packing for a trip to the Amazon jungle
Clothing essentials for your trip to the Amazon include long sleeves, cool, loose and light coloured clothes, a hat, and comfortable hiking boots, and a rain-jacket or poncho. It is also a good idea to tuck your shirt into your trousers, and tuck the cuffs of your trousers into socks, for extra prevention from ticks and mosquitoes.
Due to the humidity, it is also advisable to carry water at all times. Don’t forget mosquito repellent, sunscreen, after-bite cream and of course, sunglasses.
Staying safe
There are some health and safety precautions to take into account in advance of your trip to the Amazon rainforest.
Carrying a first aid kit at all times is highly advisable. Any tourists hoping to go on an Amazon river tour should ensure they do not swim in the water, as it contains many dangerous creatures and disease-causing bacteria. Visiting the Amazon jungle is a fascinating experience for children, and many Amazon river cruises welcome children onto their trips. It is, of course, advisable that children are briefed properly on the potential dangers of visiting this part of the world, and that they have the necessary vaccinations in advance of their trip.
Food and drink in the Amazon
Many dishes served in the Amazon are centred around fish. There are over 2000 species of fish present in the Amazon river and many of these make for delicious local cuisine. Other popular foods are a range of delicious exotic fruits, and juanes, which are a mixture of rice and meat tied into a banana leaf.
As a tourist in Brazil, it is advisable that you drink bottled water throughout your trip. Though the water in Southern Brazil, including Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, is certified as safe by national health standards, it has a bit of an acquired taste, so it is best to stick to bottled water, particularly if you are planning on travelling around. Due to the humidity in this part of the world, carrying bottled water with you at all times is also a good idea.
Preventing diseases in your Amazon adventure
It is good to be wary of certain tropical diseases that are present in this part of the world, but do not let these deter you from visiting the Amazon, or spoil your trip whilst you are there. There are many preventative methods that can be used as well as vaccines for travel, which are available to protect you from disease.
Mosquitoes are the main culprit for diseases that are more common in this part of the world. There are vaccinations or treatments available for all viruses that travellers are at risk of contracting, and of course steps can be taken to lower the risk of being bitten by mosquitoes too.
Malaria is one of the more common endemic diseases in the Amazon, and is transmitted by mosquito bites. With fast treatment, malaria is curable, and infection can be prevented with high-quality repellent and the correct clothing which can lower the likelihood of being bitten. Learn about prevention and treatment of malaria here.
Mosquitos are also responsible for the zika virus, which has spread in South America amongst other parts of the world in recent years – the virus can be spread through sexual or intrauterine routes. There is currently no vaccination against the zika virus, however, treatment of the symptoms includes rest, fluid intake, pain relief and antipyretics. More information can be found on our Zika virus page.
Dengue fever is another disease which travellers could be at risk from contracting during their trip to the Amazon jungle. A vaccination is available and highly recommended before travelling to the Amazon. Again, mosquitos are the main culprit for the transmission of Degnue fever. Read our Dengue fever prevention page for more details.
Travellers to the Amazon are also at risk of contracting some types of the Yellow Fever virus. Luckily, vaccination is available against the virus, provided travellers are vaccinated in advance of their trip. The suggested time for travellers to be vaccinated is ten days prior to visiting a high-risk area. More details can be found on our Yellow Fever information page.
Visitors to the Amazon should ensure they have all the necessary vaccinations against diseases that are transmitted in the area.
As well as a vaccination, steps should be taken to minimise the risk of mosquito bites, such as long sleeves and light coloured clothing, Mosquito netting should also be used in all sleeping areas. Anti-malaria tablets should also be taken prior to, during and after leaving an area where travellers are at risk from contracting malaria. The NHS Fit for Travel website has a helpful guide on minimising the risk of mosquito bites.