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Brazil’s Amazon Rain Forest
The Amazon Rain Forest is the largest rainforest in the world—covering nearly 40% of Brazil’s territory and extending into five neighboring nations. More than one-third of all earth species are found here.
The Amazon River is the forest’s lifeblood. By every measure, its scale is extraordinary. This continual deluge exceeds 300 feet of depth in some sections, and its mouth is nearly 150 miles wide. By volume, it’s the largest river in the world, accounting for one-fifth of the planet’s total river flow. Depending on the season, the Amazon drains between 9,000,000 and 32,000,000 gallons of fresh water per second into the Atlantic.
Manaus and Santarém
Two of the most accessible sections of the river are found outside Manaus and Santarém. Multi-day cruises aboard comfortable, live-aboard riverboats launch from Manaus, taking you deep into wildlife-rich sections of the Amazon and its tributaries. Alternatively, luxury sleep-aboard motor yachts can be chartered for private travel.
What to do in the Amazon
Riverside lodges offer full-board packages, with daily guided excursions to the surrounding forests and tributaries included. Activity options include:
- Wildlife Watching – Spot pink river dolphins, monkeys, sloths, caimans, and countless bird species.
- Canoe Trips – Paddle through igarapés (narrow waterways) and flooded forests.
- Jungle Walks – Guided hikes to learn about medicinal plants, insects, and survival skills.
- Meeting of the Waters (near Manaus) – See where the dark Rio Negro and sandy-colored Amazon flow side by side without mixing.
- Indigenous and Riverside Communities – Visit to learn about local traditions and ways of life.
- Fishing – Try piranha fishing or spot giant Amazonian fish like pirarucu.
- Night Excursions – Search for nocturnal animals by canoe.
The gateway city of Manaus also offers options to explore on the arrival or departure date. Highlights include the Amazon Theatre, the local market, the Rio Negro Palace, and Museu do Seringal.
What is the Weather Like?
Weather at the Brazilian Amazon, is humid tropical, marked by warm temperatures year-round, high humidity, and significant rainfall. Average temperatures range between 75°F to 90°F, with pleasant nighttime lows and daytime highs that can feel hotter due to the humidity, so it’s best to pack light, breathable clothing. During rainy season (December to May), river levels rise, flooding parts of the forest and creating the “flooded forest” landscape. High water allows access to pristine side streams. Rainfall decreases and water levels drop from June to November, revealing river beaches.
These averages are changing, please check extended weather forecasts using your favorite weather app prior to departure.
Getting There
Manaus served as the Brazilian Amazon’s main gateway. Flights from Sao Paulo reach Manaus in four hours. Connections from Manaus to Santarém add another hour.
From Manaus, onward travel into the rainforest is typically by boat or small aircraft to lodges, reserves, or river communities.
Start your journey today
LANDED delivers the finest in custom, private travel to Central America, South America, and Antarctica. These regions are our passion; we know them first-hand and by heart. Speak with one of our travel designers and let us create a tailored itinerary for you in Brazil’s Amazon.
How to combine Brazil's Amazon
Have some extra time? Here are some options for you to combine with.
