You can really visit the Amazon any time of year. The expansive Amazon jungle extends across more than six countries, from Bolivia & Peru through Ecuador and Colombia to Venezuela, and most prominently Brazil. But despite its immense size, the weather patterns of this tropical rainforest do not change much from season to season, characterized by daily rain, humidity, and heat. It is said that the two similarly hot & humid seasons of the Amazon are “rainy” and “rainier.”
July-December –
Low water Season 78-104ºF (26-40ºC)
Lower rivers
Better trail access
Better fishing & birding opportunities
Fewer mosquitos
Great time to see the caiman crocodiles
Less precipitation (though heavy showers are not unheard of)
January-June –
High water season 73-86ºF (23-30ºC)
Higher rivers
Slightly cooler temperatures
Better river accessibility & navigation
More mosquitos
Good time to swim in blackwater creeks
Expect intermittent daily showers, occasionally pretty heavy
Macaw Lick (Molly Quackenbush)
Amazon Rainforest Seasons: Wet (Rainy) & Dry
The wet season in the rest of Bolivia and Peru (from December to April) does bring more precipitation to their portions of the rainforest, but since it already has a humid, rainy climate, the change is not particularly significant, other than a minor drop in tourism traffic and the potential to find some good hotel deals. The remainder of the year, from June to November, is the dry season, with relatively less rain and a higher number of visitors.
Water Level: Low and High Water Season
It might be better to describe these as the “low water” and “high water” seasons. During the low water season (June to November), there are fewer daily showers, but the rivers are lower and some are not navigable; instead, hiking trails allow explorers to gain access to deeper parts of the jungle on foot. The opposite is true during the high water season (December to May), when rivers can rise up to 23 feet (7m) in parts of the Amazon Basin, making all of the rivers and creeks accessible and navigable, though flooding some of the jungle trails.
Two squirrel monkeys in the Amazon
Seasonal Activities for Low Water
In the dry season, guests can go hiking, trekking, ziplining, canopy climbing, and animal sighting to have a better view of the surrounding area. All of the resorts provide guided walks and access to the neighboring hiking trails. Hiking and trail walking are at their best during the dry, low-water season, whether you're doing an informative hike to learn about the ecosystem around you or a leisurely stroll to a high canopy bridge to see the rainforest below.
Seasonal Activities for High Water
Water-based activities are ideal when the Amazon's water levels are high. It's best to go canoeing or kayaking on the Amazon River or viewing aquatic life. At this time of year, the best destinations to start an Amazon boat tour are Iquitos (Peru), Coca (Ecuador), and Manaus (Brazil).
It’s worth noting that the increased rainfall also promotes the growth of fruit, which draws more animals out and marks the start of their mating season, making it a great time to go if you’re hoping to spot monkeys, birds, or the other fascinating Amazon species in a flurry of activity. It also brings the verdant greens into even lusher shades of emerald than the rest of the year.
Trek through the Amazon (Valeria Blanc)
No matter when you go, insect repellant is a must as mosquitos thrive in this hot & humid environment. Even in the low water season when there are less, repellant is still a smart precautionary measure to take during your Amazon tours.
Plan your trip with flexibility
Many lodges in the rainforest require a separate domestic flight once you’ve arrived in your destination country. Heavy rains during the wet season could affect your itinerary, so it’s usually a good idea to bookend your trip with a day or two on either side of your Amazon river cruise just in case your flight to or from gets delayed or postponed.
For more information on the weather of the Amazon rainforest and individual regions of the jungle like Peru, Ecuador, and Bolivia, check out the Amazon weather page.
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
3 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
4 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
