Visiting The Amazon Rainforest in Brazil
Have you ever dreamed of a visit to the Amazon Rainforest in Brazil?
Located deep in the heart of South America lies the Amazon Jungle.
Spanning several thousand kilometers and bordering 9 countries, The Amazon is one of the richest areas for biodiversity in the world.
Visiting The Amazon Rainforest
The Brazilian side is the most popular to visit, and in this guide I’ll go through my experience trekking through this part of the jungle and what I learnt.
I’ll also cover other important things like when to visit, how to get there and my own recommendations. So without further ado…
Why Visit the Brazilian Amazon?
Once you’ve decided you’ll visit the Amazon, you’ll then need to choose which country to start a trek from.
The Amazon can be explored from Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia, with each having their own distinct experience and advantages.
There are small portions located in Guyana, French Guiana and Suriname too.
The Brazilian side is the largest of all, with around 60% of the jungle located here. This country is the best for longer and deeper treks into the rainforest where you can really get off the beaten path.
Of course, we can’t miss out on all the animals and wildlife you’ll see too.
Some of the best to see here include:
- The Pink River Dolphin (native to the Amazon)
- Piranhas
- Jaguars
- Howler Monkeys
- Exotic Birds
- The Three-toed Sloth
From Manaus, there are many organized Amazon jungle tours you can jump on where you’ll also explore indigenous tribes, camp out in the wild jungle and also have the chance to take the mystical Ayahuasca (I’ve done this several times since being here so will write up an article on my experience soon).
This customizable, multi-day tour is a good option for those looking to explore deeper into the Amazon.”
How to Get to The Brazilian Amazon?
One advantage of choosing the Brazilian Amazon is that it’s easy to get to.
The sprawling jungle metropolis of Manaus is located in the heart of the rainforest, with dozens of flights arriving from many major cities in Brazil.
Other countries such as Bolivia or Ecuador will require more effort to reach the Amazon, so this option is best for those who want to get there with ease.
The other ways to reach Manaus include by river (from Belem on the coast or Tabatinga which is deeper in the jungle, near the Colombian and Peruvian borders), or by driving, with the highway connecting to Boa Vista to the north and then onwards to Venezuela and Guyana.
Once in Manaus, your best bet for going deep into the Amazon is by tour, with some lasting up to 7 or 8 Days. Book my favorite tour (with free cancellation).
You can try to do it yourself, but let’s be honest, it’s probably not the best idea with everything in the jungle seeing you as food (and also the very high chance of getting lost too).
Amazon Jungle Trek
When I went to Manaus, I only planned a few days but ended up staying 10 days in total.
I wish I could say all 10 were spent in the jungle, but it was down to airlines hiking the prices and me waiting it out in the city for them to drop back down.
Manaus itself really isn’t special. Being honest here, it was one of my least favourite places in South America, and that’s saying something.
The only real benefit is that it’s the gateway to the jungle. There is the teatro and also the highway connecting to Presidente Figureido (jungle town known for its waterfalls), but that’s about it.
I actually started with a one-day tour where we swam with pink river dolphins in The Amazon, explored parts of the nearby jungle, got acquainted with a local tribe and also saw where the two rivers meet that form the Amazon.
This option is great for those on a strict time schedule, however you’ll see hardly any virgin jungle or animals.
After this I actually went and took Ayahuasca (again), and then decided I was to go back in and see more of the remote and deeper jungle.
I headed back to the same agency and booked a two-day tour, where we took several boats to head further away from civilisation.
This one was tonnes better, where we spent the day fishing for piranhas, catching alligators at night (in the small wooden boat you start to feel a little less invincible) and hiking through uncharted jungle.
You’ll see many spiders, monkeys, sloths and other beasts along the way too.
Best Time to visit Brazil Amazon
Now let’s take a look at the best time to visit this incredibly diverse region of the World. Here we’ll explore both the best time in terms of weather, and also when to see the most wildlife.
The Best Time for the Weather
Here we’ll cover the annual weather and the best time to visit for Manaus.
Know that as soon as you head into the deeper jungle, weather patterns can and do shift quite considerably, with heavier rainfall in certain areas.
Average temps throughout the year barely deviate from between 79-81°F.
With this in mind you’ll know that it’s best to pack lighter and more breathable clothes. It’s also important to bring lots of high quality sunscreen as even though it can sometimes feel cool with cloud cover, you’ll still get toasted pretty well.
Technically there is a wet and dry season here, although you’ll feel like it’s all pretty wet regardless. December until May sees the most downpour, with between 300-400mm throughout each month.
With 395mm, March is the wettest month to visit Manaus and nearby jungle.
June until October is drier (you’ll still need a raincoat), with between 100-200mm falling throughout each of these months. If you hate rain, then head here in August which is the driest month with around 110mm of rainfall.
Given the jungle is going to be wild and un-maintained, you’re going to need a solid pair of hiking boots with good traction (as well as to stop you getting bit by the less friendly residents). We recommend these hiking boots for the guys, and also these solid boots for the gals.
The Best Time for seeing Wildlife
Of course, it’s also important to note your best chances of seeing different animals before pinning your flights into the Brazilian Amazon.
The best time to see wildlife is between late-June until early October.
This is due to shrinking river banks as there’s less rain, meaning more animals will be out and about for all to see.
It’s an especially good time to potentially spot Jaguars, which otherwise remain quite elusive and hard to see.
Visiting the Brazilian Amazon: Tips
- Firstly: double-check the weather before booking your flights, so you can set better expectations. Want the best chance to see lots of wildlife? Head between April and October. Want to completely avoid getting wet? Sorry but this is the Amazon, so bring that raincoat and get ready! There are better times for less rain, so again check these out in this guide.
- Secondly: I suggest a minimum of 4 days in Manaus (The Amazon Jungle). This would be enough to see a decent portion of the jungle, wildlife and other worthwhile experiences. Whilst I didn’t do the longer 7 day tours, many other travelers I met did and swear it was the best thing they’ve done in a while, so if you have the time then consider a longer tour.
- Lastly: Please keep an open mind and try new things when in the jungle! Here you can try some tasty foods such as Pirarucu and Tucupi, as well as a drink blended from Guaraná plant. See our Brazilian Amazon safety guide for more advice.
Got travel insurance for Brazil?
Visiting The Brazilian Amazon
And that’s all for my action-packed guide to trekking in the Brazilian Amazon.
With over half of the Amazon lying in Brazil, this area is one the best to explore the more remote areas of the jungle.
Here you’ll also spot more wildlife, and be able to get in touch with tribes and have other incredible experiences.
In this guide I’ve covered the best time to visit, my suggestions as well as what you can expect from some of the organised jungle trips from Manaus.
Remember to read our backpacking South America guide, and if you have any questions, drop a comment below and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.
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