“The Amazon is my happy place - for me, any time of the year is a great time to visit. However, if I had to choose, I would say the best time to go to the Amazon is from September to November. There is less rain which makes it ideal for visiting a lodge. Also the water levels are lower so you can do more land-based activities such as trekking, bird spotting, and there will be less mosquitos! You’ll also enjoy fewer crowds in the other destinations you’ll visit during this time as it is the shoulder season.”
Rebecca Deering
Amazon Travel Expert
The high water season occurs from December to May. During these months, the Amazon river is at its highest. As the rain comes down, the Amazon basin starts to flood, and boat excursions become a much deeper adventure. With the extra water in the river, travelers are able to see some of the wildlife that may have hidden from the main course of the river. Also, guests are able to swim in the beautiful blackwater creeks!
Note: During the high water season, rivers rise high in the Amazon Basin. In general, all rivers are accessible and allows travelers to explore the rainforest easily by canoe, boat, and/or cruise. In contrast, some of the trails may be flooded due to the rain, and not accessible.
Amazon’s weather in the high water season is considered the colder and wet season. Though, keep in mind that it is warm in the Amazon any time of the year. Temperatures won’t drastically fall. In December, Manaus cools down to 88F / 31C and by May, the temperature can get as low as 75F / 23C, which is relatively low for the Amazon.
When the water levels are high in the Amazon, the best thing to do is indulge in water-based activities. We recommend taking an Amazon cruise, canoeing, kayaking, or spotting marine life. During the high water season, choose a cruise from places like Iquitos Peru, Coca Ecuador, and Manaus Brazil. These are all great places to begin an Amazon cruise adventure.
The low water season lasts from June to November. As the water starts to recede, forest animals, fish, and pink dolphins that have spread out in the flooded rivers become more concentrated. And as the extra water begins to drain from the wetlands, forest walks become popular, as the trails are clear and lead guests deeper into the rainforest. During this time, guests enjoy fishing for piranha alongside a local guide.
The low water season is the “warmer” season in the Amazon, and despite its name, this time of year receives some short, but heavy rainfall. In June, the average temperature of Manaus is around highs of 87F / 30C. By November, Manaus can reach as high as 90F / 32C.
During the low water season, guests can enjoy land-based excursions such as hiking, trekking, canopy climbing, ziplining, and wildlife spotting. All lodges offer guided hikes and access to surrounding trails. Whether you embark on an educational hike and learn about the ecosystem that surrounds you, or you hike to a tall canopy bridge where you can overlook the rainforest, hiking and trail walking is the best during the dry, low water season.
Note: Some of the rivers aren’t navigable during the “low water” season. Instead, hiking trails are more accessible during this time and allow explorers to venture deeper into the lush jungle.
