What to Know Before You Travel to the Amazon?

18 April, 2019

The Amazon Rainforest is truly a natural treasure. It is home to 1 out of every 10 species on earth.

The Amazon Rainforest is home to tens of thousands of different species of animal and plant life, incuding:

40,000 plant species
3,000 freshwater fish species
370 types of reptiles

More than 2,000 new species have been discovered in the Amazon Rainforest since 1999. People are finally paying attention to the wonders of this wild paradise.

That’s not just environmental scientists and conservationists, either. Each year, more and more civilians are discovering ‘ecotourism,’ to experience the might and majesty of the Amazon Rainforest themselves.

Here are some things to keep in mind before you travel to the Amazon.

Things To Know Before You Travel To The Amazon

The Amazon Rainforest is one of the last truly wild places on Earth.

You’ll want to prepare properly so you can be as comfortable as possible. This is the trip of a lifetime, so you’ll want to make sure you can experience it fully!

Doesn’t Have To Be Roughing It

Untamed nature can be extreme. You should prepare for any eventuality when you’re traveling to the Amazon. It doesn’t mean you have to be uncomfortable or feel unsafe while you’re there, though.

If you get out and explore, you’re likely to see some pretty wild stuff. There are pink dolphins living in freshwater streams. There are spotted sloths to be spotted.

You might even find yourself hunting for caiman in the dark.

Taking an Amazon cruise means you get to return to your boat when it’s all said and done. This makes your journey infinitely more comfortable. It also helps deliver peace of mind, knowing that a support vehicle’s got your back (and a supply of clean, dry socks.)

The Amazon Rainforest Has Two Main Seasons

The Amazon looks very different depending on what time of year you visit. Knowing how the seasons impact the rainforest helps to make sure you get the experience you’re looking for.

June to October is the “dry season” – as dry as can be expected in a rainforest. This means June through October is the best time for those looking to explore the rainforest’s flora and fauna on foot.

November through May is the wet season. This makes it an ideal time to get to the furthest, most out-of-the-way corners of the rainforest. The additional precipitation makes it ideal for traveling by boat.

Decide Where You’ll Land

The Amazon Rainforest covers more than 2.6 million square miles. The Amazon River itself is more than 4,400 miles long. That’s almost twice the width of the entire United States, to put that into perspective.

There are hundreds of different ways you can access the Amazon, as a result. Some may accommodate independent travelers with lots of time to spare.

Others can be accessed via a combination of flights, boats, and busses.

To decide on the best route for your ultimate Amazon experience, start by emailing some of the lodges at popular nature reserves. These include Tambopata, Mamirauá, Manú or Yasuni.

Ask them what they’d recommend and what they have available.

Whatever you decide upon, you’ll probably want to hire a guide of some sort.

The Amazon Rainforest is a highly unpredictable environment that is dangerous for those who’ve lived there their entire lives. A guide ensures that you’ll be safe, so you can focus on enjoying and taking in your experience.

Dress Appropriately

It’s going to get hot during your Amazon trip. You’ll be tempted to wear shorts or other revealing clothing during your Amazon adventure. Avoid that temptation.

Mosquitoes are ever-present along the Amazon river. Not only can this make for an uncomfortable outing, but you also run the risk of encountering infection and disease. Mosquitoes along the Amazon river can sometimes carry bacteria or viruses that could make you very sick.

Speaking of which…

Get Your Vaccines

The Amazon River basin is full of germs, bacteria, and parasites that aren’t normally encountered in less wild places. Some of them can be quite lethal. At the very least, they’ll make your stay a very uncomfortable experience.

Make sure to get the vaccine for yellow fever, which is quite common. You’ll also want to consider getting vaccinated for malaria. You can also take malaria pills if you’d rather not get four shots.

Getting vaccinated may be necessary for returning from your Amazon adventure. Many countries require you to show proof of vaccinations when returning from the Amazon rainforest.

Be Prepared To Go Offline

The Amazon Rainforest is one of the most untamed places on Earth. A lot of it doesn’t have any kind of infrastructure. That includes a technological infrastructure, obviously.

Be prepared for all of your digital technology that relies on the Internet to go dark once you land in the Amazon. While you’ll be able to get 4G and WiFi in the cities of Peru, they won’t work on most of the rest of the continent.

You’ll want to make sure that you bring technology along that doesn’t rely on the Internet. Most notably, you’ll want to have a good camera that doesn’t rely on the cloud, if you’re hoping to take (and save) your memories of your Amazon adventure.

Following these tips will help you get the most out of your Amazon river adventure. It’s a once in a lifetime experience that you’ll never forget.

Get ready for it ahead of time and make some memories you’ll never forget!

Ready For Your Amazon River Adventure?

We’re so glad to hear it! You’ll never be the same after experiencing the might and majesty of some of Earth’s most virgin wilderness.

Whether you’re looking to travel to the Amazon for the first time or the fifth, you’ll find something amazing and awe-inspiring every time.