Amazon River Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience the Amazon River. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• 3-Day Iquitos Amazon Jungle Adventure at Heliconia Lodge

• Amazing Jungle 3 Days 2 Nights - Amazon Wonder Expeditions

• Amazon Rainforest Adventure 3 Days 2 Nights

• Amazon Tour Adventure 3 Days 2 Nights

• Piranha Fishing Experience in the Amazon Jungle

While the Amazon River is free to visit, most travelers explore as part of a guided tour or boat cruise. You can join a piranha-fishing excursion from US$46, or take a full-day tour from Iquitos, including a boat cruise and hike through the Amazon rainforest, starting at US$175.

Yes, the Amazon River is one of the world's longest rivers and the lifeblood of the vast Amazon rainforest. Whether you ride a local ferry down the river, join a piranha-fishing or dolphin-spotting cruise, or paddle out to hike a remote section of the rainforest, almost every Amazon adventure begins on the water. To fully immerse yourself in the wilderness and increase your chances of spotting rare Amazonian wildlife, consider an overnight or multi-day tour that takes you deeper into the jungle.

Per one customer who booked the 3-Day Iquitos Amazon Jungle Adventure at Heliconia Lodge, "What a trip. There is Wi-Fi, the food is amazing, the staff are friendly, and you'll see things you only see on National Geographic. The amount of different species you get to see of spiders, plants, birds, and animals ... mind-blowing. I hate the heat and insects, but it was honestly worth it. Just the stars at night are worth the trip. It'll definitely make you love your life more when you return home. Our group was very lucky; we saw pink and grey dolphins, snakes, frogs, anacondas, sloths, and much more."

Yes, you can join an Amazon River tour that explores the jungle or take an Amazon River cruise. Tours and cruises tend to depart from Manaus in Brazil, Coca in Ecuador, or Iquitos in Peru, and can last up to 15 days.

The best months for an Amazon River cruise are from May through October, which is the dry season in the rainforest. This is when water levels are lower and therefore easier for boats to navigate, and when temperatures are cooler. Prices are at their highest then, so consider visiting at the end of the rainy season for better deals.

Amazon River cruises typically include all of your meals, accommodation in one of the boat's cabins, and activities in the rainforest—these range from fishing for piranhas, going on night walks to spot nocturnal creatures, kayaking and paddleboarding, and meeting Amazonian tribal communities. Some include airport transfers as well.

It always feels quite hot and humid in the Amazon rainforest during the day, so pack lightweight clothing, sturdy footwear for hiking, and a waterproof rain jacket in case you get caught in a downpour. Pack some long trousers for trekking and something warm for the evening, when it can feel a little cool after the heat of the day.

There are tons of fun things to do when you're done visiting the Amazon River. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in and around Iquitos:

• Pacaya Samiria National

• Floating City of Belen

• Amazon Rescue Center

• Amazon Refuge Wildlife Conservation Center

• Iron House

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in Iquitos.