When To Visit The Amazon

One of the most biologically diverse regions in the world and probably of the most spectacular ones as well in terms of scenery, the Amazon rainforest is a magical destination for all nature lovers. Travel deep in the heart of the forest and observe exotic flora and fauna, sail along the Amazon River, and let yourself be rocked to sleep by the sounds of the forest at night.

Peru is a great destination for an Amazon expedition as one third of its territory is covered by the lush tropical forest, with both access in the north and in the south. In the north, Iquitos, a quaint jungle settlement only accessible by air and river, is the gateway to the Amazon River. Depending on the season, travelers can observe various types of wildlife. Read this guide to the seasons of the tropical rainforest to help you plan your vacation in Peru.

The Amazon only has two seasons: dry and flooded. There is no real bad time to visit this region, as both seasons offer countless opportunities to observe a wide array of plant and animal species, as well as sunny and rainy days alike. These lands are so luxuriant precisely because it receives an incredible amount of rain (about 12 feet a year on average).

The flooded season runs from December through April, summer and autumn in the Southern Hemisphere. Weather is cooler always hot and there are some rainy days (but only 60% of the year’s rainfall occurs in this period). One of the greatest benefits of visiting the Amazon during the flooded season is that rivers and streams rise up to 23 feet higher, meaning that every creek, lake and river is navigable, offering many more opportunities to reach further, unexplored lands. Being higher also puts you closer to the canopy, and to its many inhabitants, such as birds and monkeys, which you will be able to observe from up close. However, during the wet season, many hiking trails are covered and therefore unusable.

The dry season, from June to November, will offer more opportunities for hikes as the trails and jungle paths are easily accessible. Fishing is also a lot easier at this time of the year, and you are guaranteed to catch a piranha. While the canopy is farther to observe, you will have the chance to observe migratory birds in flight, which is impossible during the wet season.

By: Hortense Soulier

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This guide to the best time to visit the Amazon was written by a Peru travel expert at Peru For Less available to help you custom design your exciting trip to Peru.