TRAVELLING DURING Rainy season

Stories

The Shining Amazon Rainforest – Why Visit the Amazon During Rainy Season

One of the most frequently asked questions we receive from our guests considering visiting the Tambopata National Reserve is: “Can I travel to the Amazon during the rainy season?”

Our answer? A resounding: YES!

The time between October and March is a magical time in the Amazon jungle. First, we should mention that while there is rainfall all year round (you can’t spell ‘Rainforest’ without ‘rain’!), it is only slightly higher during this season (10% more than the other season), but it does light up the forest in colors, smells, and sounds that you can’t experience any other time of year.Here are four reasons why we recommend travel to the Amazon during the rainy season:

1. A walk through the Amazon jungle after a rainshower awakens the senses.

From tree to shining tree, the rain lights up the rainforest producing bright and fresh colors – a photographer’s dream. The smell is dewy and crisp. The sounds of insects, animals, and birds combine to produce unique melodies that rival the sounds of any orchestra.

Check out our photo tours in the Peruvian Amazon

Why visit the Amazon during rainy season

2. Transformational Experiences

Rains come in short, powerful bursts – rarely do rain for an entire day. While you are welcome to pull on some rain boots (provided at all our Amazon lodges) and play in the mud – most guests will settle back in a hammock on their balconies, grab a cup of tea (always complimentary!) and watch the rain tumble down.

(Did you know that our rooms in all three of our Amazon lodges have only three walls? We remove any barriers between you and the forest, which lets you create a real and meaningful relationship with the natural environment around you).

While our trips can be action-packed, we always encourage guests to find some time to connect with themselves, feel the power of the rainforest, and its place in it.

There is undeniably something transformational about taking this time out during your Tambopata tour.

Guest enjoying at the hammocks in Tambopata

3. Excellent Wildlife Viewing

Amazon jungle animals, like us, are prone to take shelter when it is raining. When the rain stops, they also come out in search of food, making wildlife spotting a bit more predictable than in dry season. The rain also means the trees bear flowers and fruits – making it easy to spot birds and monkeys who love to eat them! The Tambopata National Reserve is home to an enormous diversity of flora and fauna.

Spider Monkey by Paul Bertner

4. Less people and better deals

We hope that the images of glistening canopies and hammock meditations inspire you to visit during this period, but we should also add that this is the time of year when you are likely to get the best deals and encounter fewer tourists. Most tourists will seek to visit during the North American summer, meaning flights will be easier to book and hotels will be emptier.

Pro Tip:

If ever you’re faced with a train cancellation in Cusco, causing you to miss a trip to Macchu Picchu (yes, it happens!) – detouring to Tambopata National Reserve can be a great way to save your trip! Puerto Maldonado (the gateway city) is only a thirty-minute flight from Cusco, and you can be at one of our Amazon lodges upriver on the same day.

By Natasha Martin

  • What our guest say

    • Valuation Excellent
    • 5/5

Nancy Hodgson March 2026

Lesly Lagos March 2026

Batya K. February 2026

S. K. February 2026

Julian S January 2026

Flora Warfel January 2026

Julian Sack January 2026

Laura Franklin December 2025

Lee Wozencroft December 2025

Suraj Vijayan December 2025

Claudia A. January 2026

AMJNZ November 2025

This trip was the highlight of our travels through peru. The lodge was absolutely 5 stars for everything. The room, food, people. We had a private guide, Allen, who grew up locally and really had deep knowledge of the land, the history, and the variety of plant and animal species in the jungle. His knowledge and passion were invaluable to our experience. There are a variety of tour companies and lodges you can book to visit the Amazon, however, I would only recommend Rainforest Expeditions as they are truly connected to the community and offer high quality first class amazon experience! Read all

We had a truly wonderful stay with Rainforest Expeditions. Everyone was incredibly kind and welcoming, and our guide was fantastic — very knowledgeable and passionate about the rainforest. We saw many animals, even from the boat, which made the experience unforgettable. Read all

I just spent 3 days here with my family. The research center surpassed all our expectations. I want to give a special shout out to Carlos who took such good care of us. He went above and beyond to make sure we werr comfortable. And he was always smiling. He made us feel so welcome. We had Erik as our guide who is so knowledgeable and experienced. We learned so much, saw so much wildlife. It really was a dream vacation. Thank you!! Read all

Chose this place to stay at the Amazon, as I heard it benefits the local indigenous community. Life changing experience. Oscar was an excellent guide! We saw so many wildlife! No 4th wall made it such an immersive jungle experience. Since they are eco friendly, there is no AC. It can get pretty hot depending on the season. So better to follow their guidance for clothing choices Read all

If you want to experience the Amazon in all its glory This is the place to come to Staff and guides were excellent Food was just incredible The forest walks were really interesting and informative Read all

If you are a birder, ask for Juan Carlos Yatto. He recognizes an astounding number of bird calls and can duplicate many of them. This place is magical, all I could have imagined. All the staff and scientists are incredible. The experience of a lifetime. Read all

This was the most amazing experience Very well organised The ground staff were so well organised The guides were excellent ( I’m looking at you Carlos!) Food was tasty and very varied Amazed that the chefs managed to get such variety in the middle of the Amazon Do not hesitate Book immediately you will not be disappointed. Highly recommended Read all

I can not say enough good things about my time at the Tambopata Research Center. Between the guides, the boat drivers, the chefs, the staff, the bartenders, the researchers, etc. Everyone was absolutely wonderful! If you are interested in viewing wildlife in the Amazon, this is the place for you! A special thank you to the maître d' Carlos who was so incredibly kind and hospitable and our guide Dino who was like a real life Indiana Jones. I can't wait to come back! Read all

An unforgettable, fully immersive jungle experience. Amazing how Tambopata Lodge delivers luxury touches in such a remote and rugged location. The food is fantastic, the staff incredible, and the wildlife sightings non-stop. The personalised itinerary and one-on-one guiding made the trip truly special—huge thanks to our guide Johan for sharing his passion and knowledge. The Macaw Project is inspiring, and it’s clear the lodge fully supports this important conservation work. Manager Brian was always kind, helpful. Well-done all involved. Read all

The most important fact we are grateful for is the true sense of understanding of the ecology of the Amazon the staff at Rainforest Expeditions (RFE) have shown us. RFE stands out for its stand against the pure, profit-motive initiatives many other tour operators do. We are very grateful to have had Carlos as our guide. Carlos is deeply dedicated, and is able to explain the nuances of the flora and fauna. The world today needs to act as one against the impact of climate change. RFE is one, bright shining light in this regard. Read all

We had a fabulous trip! The people were amazing, kind and very professional. The food was exceptionally good! The facilities are beautiful and well kept. We just loved our second time with Rainforest Expeditions and can't wait to go again!! Read all

Fantastic to be deep in the forest surrounded by incredible wildlife with our amazing guide Juan Carlos Yatto, who really knew his stuff! Also his photography skills meant that we could share our experience even better through his telescope using our phone cameras! We learned so much!! He went to extra lengths to find butterflies and moths for us along with so many different birds and monkeys. This was a travel highlight for us as experienced wildlife travellers. We loved our spacious room with no windows and open to more wildlife visitors but after 5 nights the bed could have been a little more comfortable. Luckily we had a second bed to use. Otherwise it was fantastic with hot water showers and fresh drinking water all the time. We were amazed at the variety of food on offer for breakfast, lunch and dinner and couldn’t believe they could have such a wonderful food offering in such a remote location. Even the wine and cocktails were great. I highly recommend spending the extra money and time getting to this location. We stayed at another lodge later which was closer to Puerto Maldonado and there was far less wildlife. Read all

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