If you’re planning a trip to Peru, do not miss the opportunity to explore the awe-inspiring Amazon rainforest. Visiting the Amazon is an experience like no other. The Amazon is home to countless species of plants, animals, and insects. Many of these species can be found nowhere else in the world!
Now that I’ve convinced you to book your Amazon adventure, there are a few things you’ll have to consider:
1) What time of year will you visit
2) Which area in the Amazon will you visit (Puerto Maldonado vs Iquitos)
3) Which accommodation will you stay in
But first, let my recommend my number one choice for accommodation in the Amazon- this eco-friendly lodge offers once in a lifetime adventures and is packed with activities from the moment you arrive. They received 9.8 out of 10 stars on booking.com and for a good reason. They are on the pricier end, but trust me, it is well worth the splurge. Book ahead of time here as rooms rent out far in advance!
Highlights
- Eco-friendly lodge with open concept rooms
- Variety of guided excursions and activities
- Delicious local cuisine
Best Time Of Year To Visit
To avoid the heavy rains that accompany Peru’s wet season, you’ll want to visit during the dry season which runs from May until the end of October.
Not only does visiting during these months allow you spend more time exploring as the rain doesn’t interfere with the planned excursions, but the chance to see wildlife is better during these months. This is because the reduced water levels during dry season make it easier to spot animals along the riverbanks.
I would also recommend avoiding the peak tourist season which runs from June through August. By avoiding the busier months you can get better rates on flights and accommodations. There’s also a better chance of being in a smaller group size during your excursions which can cater to a more personalized experience. May, September, and October are all ideal months to visit, but I prefer October as the best month to visit and you can read more about that here!
Visiting Iquitos vs Puerto Maldonado
There are two different locations you can fly into based on the amount of time you have available to spend in the Amazon and the activities you are interested in doing.
Here are some of the biggest differences between the two:
Flights:
Both Puerto Maldonado and Iquitos are most easily accessed by flight; however, you can only get to and from Iquitos via Lima airport. Whereas, you can fly from Cusco or Lima to get to Puerto Maldonado.
Wildlife:
Both locations offer incredible wildlife spotting opportunities, but offer slightly different experiences. For Iquitos, you get the opportunity to see pink river dolphins, different species of monkeys, and an array of different species of birds. Puerto Maldonado offers you the chance to see giant river otters, plenty of different species of monkeys and birds, and maybe even a jaguar!
Time:
For both Puerto Maldonado and Iquitos I would recommend at least a 3 day stay to make the trip worthwhile. Remember that even though the flight time from Lima might not be that long, it will still take additional car and usually boat transportation to arrive at your lodge. In most cases, this takes an additional 2-5 hours.
If you are in more of a time crunch, I would recommend going to Puerto Maldonado as it fits more smoothly into most itineraries. If you are visiting Cusco, you can fly directly to/from the airport and skip the hassle of a connecting from Lima. If you are traveling to Iquitos from Cusco, you will need to fly to Lima first and then to Iquitos. like you will need to do if you were going to Iquitos.
Deciding On Your Accommodation
Once you choose where you will be going, you will have to decide which lodge to stay at. Here are some things to consider: the activities the lodge includes, the eco-friendly nature of the lodge, the facilities of the lodge and the food and drinks the lodge provides.
I had the most amazing stay at Posados Amazonas and would recommend it to anyone visiting the Peruvian Amazon. From the second I arrived to the lodge, each day was packed with activities from start to finish.
After getting settled into our room, we embarked on a hike through the woods which ended at a tower where we climbed to the top to watch the sunset above the Amazon rainforest. After the hike, we had dinner with our tour group and then set out for an optional evening hike.
We also got the chance to visit a small, locally owned fruit farm across the river from the lodge which also supplied the lodge with a lot of the selections of fruit.
The next morning we took and early morning boat ride out on the river to fish for pirhanas and watch spider monkeys jumping around the trees above us. After stopping back at the lodge for lunch, we set off on a bike riding tour through the jungle. We finished each day eating dinner as a group which made this lodge perfect for solo travellers.
Although there is a scheduled itinerary during your stay the guides are very flexible and accommodating to your requests. All planned activities are completely optional so if you do not feel comfortable with the activity or if you want to get some extra sleep instead of going for the early morning excursion, that it completely up to you. The lodge offered plenty of spots of comfortable seating and hammocks all throughout.
I would recommend booking through booking.com. Rooms book up very quickly especially during the peak tourist season from June to August. Regardless of when you go, book as soon as possible to secure your room!
