Best Gateways to the Amazon

One of the most biologically diverse places on the planet, the Amazon is a real heaven for true nature lovers who will relish the myriad opportunities for bird-spotting and animal watching, as well as getting lost amidst lush and exotic rainforest. The Amazon covers a gigantic piece of land straddling on several Latin American countries, with countless amazing spots to launch adventurous Amazon explorations. Read this guide to the best gateways to the jungle, for a trip of a lifetime in the world’s largest protected land.

About one third of Peru is covered by the Amazon, with two major destinations from where it is easy to start your trip: Iquitos and Puerto Maldonado. Puerto Maldonado, in the southern part of Peru is close to some extraordinary national parks filled with incredibly rich and diverse wildlife. Among these, the Tambopata National Reserve and the Manu National Park offer the best opportunities to admire the forest and its peculiar inhabitants. There are also many indigenous communities living in these areas, which you might encounter on your explorations. The other main gateway to the Amazon in Peru is Iquitos, the world’s largest town only accessible by boat or air. This laid-back jungle settlement is the perfect base to launch a cruise up the Amazon River itself, and take in the breathtaking scenery as you sail across the various tributaries.

Colombia’s southeast portion is also entirely covered by the Amazon’s thick tropical rain forest. There are no roads so access to the forest’s wildlife, rivers, and few Indian communities is only by air or boat. The main gateway to the Colombian jungle is Leticia, the only actual town with tourist infrastructure serving as a base for jungle trips. This small town on the river is located right at the spot where the borders of Peru, Colombia and Brazil converge. There are direct flights from Bogota to Leticia and it is easy to organize trips from there.

Finally, Brazil’s northern region is covered by vast jungle where the many tributaries of the Amazon run, connecting these lands as far as Iquitos, 3,800 km away. Along the river banks, you will find tropical cities, Indian villages, and unspoiled forests filled with exotic wildlife. You can either travel the wide rivers on a cruise, or if you are a true nature lover seeking great wildlife watching opportunities, explore the igarapes, which are narrower channels. Here you will be able to spot alligators, monkeys, dolphins, anacondas and many more. The quaint town of Belem is the main gateway to the Brazilian Amazon, as well as a charming historic town which is a pleasure to explore on your way to the jungle.

This guide to the best gateways to the Amazon was written by a Peru travel expert at Peru For Less available to help you custom design your exciting Amazon tours.