Amazon Rainforest Weather (Travel Information)

In this article I’ll cover the Amazon rainforest weather, such as the average temperature, rainfall predictions and I’ll even add in some Amazon rainforest weather facts.

Amazon Rainforest Weather

You’ll find that most tropical areas, such as the Amazon rainforest do not have seasons like, spring, summer, fall and winter.

Instead, Amazon rainforest weather can be categorized by either the dry season or wet season, with each lasting approximately 6 months.

Dry Season

• The dry season in the Amazon rainforest runs roughly between June – November.

This is the warmer season, and despite its name, still gets some heavy rainfall.

During the dry season, lower water levels allow for more favorable wildlife sightings, you’ll be able to spot animals such as lizards and snakes much easier.

Additionally, you’ll be able to spot dozens of species of migratory birds in full flight, something you’d miss out on in the wet season.

Read also: What is the goal of wildlife conservation

The reason for the increase in wildlife sightings is thanks to shallow waters.

In low water, millions of fish concentrate in the shallows to spawn. This lures in every type of tropical fishing bird on the hunt for easy prey.

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Wet Season

• The wet season in the Amazon rainforest runs roughly between December – May.

The main reason for the increased water levels in wet season, is due to the rain in the Andean highlands running off into the tributaries of the Amazon River.

So; it’s not actually caused by increased rainfall in Amazonia itself.

During the wet season, rivers and streams can reach a staggering 23 feet (7 meters) higher than in dry season.

This increase in river height will allow you to explore waterways and inspect plant and wildlife that you might miss in dry season.

Infact, in wet season you are more likely to see mammals such as monkeys.

The one downside to wet season is that many hiking trails and pathways are now covered by 23 feet of water, access by foot is now limited.

Also, say hello to mosquitoes!

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Amazon Rainforest Temperature

• The average temperature in dry season is 98°F (36°C) and in wet season is 86°F (30°C).

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Amazon Rainforest Rainfall

• The average rainfall in the Amazon rainforest is between 1,500 mm and 3,000 mm.

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Amazon Rainforest Climate

The Amazon rainforest is a tropical rainforest which is located very close to the equator.

Due to the fact that the Amazon is a tropical rainforest, you’ll find that the weather and climate is extremely hot, humid, and damp.

Many travelers note that it feels as though you struggle to breath in the rainforest, this is due to the high humidity.

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When is it The Best Time to Travel to The Amazon Rainforest?

There are many pros and cons to both the wet and dry seasons in the Amazon rainforest.

The wet season has a high chance of flooding out hiking trails, but it also makes the rivers higher and much easier to navigate.

On the flip side, the dry season offers fantastic hiking trails with the added downside of shrunken rivers that may become non-navigable in some places.

With all this in mind, most tourists do have a pretty good idea of when they’d like to visit the rainforest.

The majority of tourists plan their trips to the Amazon during the dry season, particularly in July and August as these months overlap with the North American and European school holidays.

During these months, tours may book up pretty quickly, so be sure to plan ahead and anticipate price hikes in the more popular parts of the rainforest, for example in Brazil.

The wet season in the rainforest, December to May, is the low season. It’s during this time you’ll encounter fewer tourists and are likely to score better deals on accommodation and tour packages.

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In Which Countries Can You Visit The Amazon Rainforest?

You can visit the Amazon rainforest in nine different countries, some may offer lighter crowds and lower costs.

Overall, the Amazon can be visited in:

1. Peru
2. Colombia
3. Ecuador
4. Bolivia
5. Venezuela
6. Guyana
7. Suriname
8. French Guiana

The majority of travelers prefer visiting the Amazon via Brazil, Peru, or Ecuador. Remember though that you might score better deals and meet less tourists if you choose to explore the Amazon from countries like Colombia or Bolivia.

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Amazon Rainforest Facts

1. The Amazon is the world’s largest rainforest, it’s larger than the next two largest rainforests combined – in the Congo Basin and Indonesia.
2. The Amazon River is pretty much the largest river in the world by volume. It carries more than five times the volume of the Congo or twelve times that of Mississippi.
3. The great Amazon river has more than 1100 tributaries, 17 of which are longer than 1000 miles.
4. The Amazon River once flowed West-ward instead of east-ward (which it does today). The rise of the Andes caused it to flow more or less into the Atlantic ocean.
5. There are approximately 16 000 tree species and 390 billion individual trees.
6. Close to two-thirds of the Amazon rainforest is found in Brazil.
7. The Amazon rainforest is thought to have a staggering 2.5 million species of insects, of which more than half is believed to live in the rainforest canopy.
8. Cattle ranching is responsible for nearly 70% of deforestation in the Amazon.
9. The Amazon is home to many endangered animal species, both fascinating and deadly. This includes electric eels, flesh eating piranhas, jaguars, poison dart frogs and many deadly types of snakes.
10. The Amazon rainforest is known as the “lungs of the planet” because it produces nearly 20% of the world’s oxygen.

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Further Reading:

• 23 Examples of Keystone Species
• The Effect of Rising Sea Levels
• Minimalist Backpacking – A Badass Guide
• How To Navigate Without GPS
• 15 Tips For Camping in Rain

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