Transport and Accommodation in the Amazon

Getting to the Amazon

Local Transport

Roads

Although roads are not proportionally numerous, there is still a road network in the Amazon, with the main axis being the Transamazonian Highway. Stretching over 4,000 km, it starts from the Brazilian Atlantic coast and is intended to eventually reach Peru. Beyond this, there are many roads or tracks, often ending in dead-ends, built illegally by logging or mining companies to facilitate their operations. Despite this, public road transport remains limited.

Rivers and Waterways

These are the traditional communication routes in the Amazon, and many journeys require using a canoe or other type of boat. From a purely tourist perspective, this mode of transport remains a great experience, and some trips can last several days.

Types of Boats

Motorized canoes: these are the "vehicles" used by populations living along the rivers, functioning like buses or taxis on land. They are most often used for short trips (or longer ones with stops) and small rivers, whether for private hire, regular service, or agency tours. Generally, a canoe can carry a maximum of around fifteen people. Be prepared with sun protection, mosquito repellent, and other essentials, plus water and possibly some food.

Cargo boats: varying in size, these operate on the main rivers, transporting goods and often passengers between significant populated areas. Some journeys can take several days. Unlike canoes, you sleep on the boat, which may travel at night, so bringing a hammock can be useful.

Cruise ships: the Amazon hosts cruise ships, and given the size of its mouth, not just small ones! Most often departing from the Caribbean, these ships sail up the river on select dates—not all the way to its source, of course, but at least as far as Manaus.

Main River Routes

The Amazon: a journey on the Amazon between Manaus and Leticia (Colombia) takes 4 to 7 days depending on the direction, costing roughly 100 € for deck class (similar pricing applies from Manaus to Belém). Then, expect to pay around 50 € more to reach Iquitos, Peru, in 1 or 3 days. In total, it takes at least ten days to travel from Peru to the Atlantic mouth by river.

The Maroni: this river serves as the border between French Guiana and Suriname. Many agencies offer trips ranging from a few hours to several days with appropriate logistics. However, you can also undertake the journey independently, as there is frequent traffic on the river. This requires some time, adaptability for sleeping arrangements if needed, and bringing or sourcing your own food. Most importantly, know the prices (even if hitching a ride is possible) and negotiate them well. For example, expect to pay between 50 and 100 € for the Saint-Laurent to Maripasoula route, taking 2, 3, or 4 days depending on the direction and stops.

To/from Iquitos: the major city of the Peruvian Amazon, Iquitos, with its 450,000 inhabitants, is accessible only by air or river. As a result, it has numerous regular connections to other locations in Peru and neighboring countries.

To/from Francisco de Orellana and Ecuador: this involves over 1,100 km on the Napo River, taking 8 days. Typically, there are 3 boats per month on this route.

To/from Leticia (Colombia) / Tabatinga (Brazil): descending the Amazon from Iquitos brings you to the Peru-Colombia-Brazil border, where the cities of Leticia and Tabatinga are located. The journey can be made several times a week in 3 days by cargo boat or around ten hours by speedboat. From this border, you can continue down the Amazon to its mouth and Belém.

To/from Pucallpa: a daily cargo boat connects the two cities in four days.

To/from Yurimaguas: a daily cargo boat links Iquitos and Yurimaguas (where buses depart). The journey takes two to three days.

In Bolivia: a long journey of several days connects Puerto Villaroel (northwest of Santa Cruz) to Guayaramerín (on the Brazilian border) and then Rurrenabaque (north of La Paz).