HOTELS, CRUISES OR LODGES How much cost a trip to the Amazon?

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How much are trips to the Amazon? – Updated for 2023

How much are trips to the Amazon? Ok, you know that you will travel to Peru and you are very tempted to visit the Amazon. And why not? More than 60% of the Peruvian territory is covered by Amazonian forests. So if the world wonder of Machu Picchu is on your list, the tropical forest should be on your list of wishes, and you can mark the Amazon as one more. 

But first thing first, which Amazon is best for you Tambopata, Manu or Iquitos?

How much does a trip to the Amazon cost?

A trip to the Amazon cost for 2 people for 3 nights, depending on the destination you visit:

  1. From USD$ 740 for staying in a comfortable city hotel
  2. From USD$ 580 staying in a closer to the city basic lodge
  3. From USD00 cruising the Amazon river

But, the first thing you must define is how you want to visit the Amazon and where. In order to not make this article long, I will focus on the 3 great destinations in Peru: Iquitos, Tambopata, and Manu.

Accommodation to travel to the Amazon

The difficulty level is from soft (I) to hard walks (III) , where soft includes easy, short walks on flat terrain, and hard may require a little more physical effort as it may include stairs and terrain with some ups and downs. Usually, this occurs in more pristine places.

I will describe each experience according to the location of the destination on the map, starting with Iquitos, continuing with Tambopata, and finally Manu.

Travel to Iquitos

Iquitos is located in the northeast of Peru. Home of the Amazon River, pink river dolphins, and manatees. Considered one of the natural wonders of Peru. Iquitos has 4 airlines that fly from Lima arriving from 10 am onwards.

Cost of hotels and tours in Iquitos

To get here you must take a flight to Iquitos airport.

The city has an incredible hotel infrastructure with swimming pools and more. You will find hotels in Iquitos from US$ 50 a night to US$ 500. What makes it more or less expensive? The same characteristics that you will find in any city hotel.

The activities that you can find have a cost of for half days up to US$ 200 for full days.

You can find regional restaurants around the square for approximately US$ 10 for each meal

  • Approximate cost: US$ 800
  • Number of people: 2
  • Nights: 3

Cost of ecolodges in Iquitos

With all ecolodges the same rule applies: location, location, location.

Your chances of seeing wildlife and experiencing pristine forests depend on the location and quality of the forest around the lodge where you stay.

Usually the closer to the city, you will get more urban amenities like swimming pools, further away you probably won’t find that but you will enjoy a better connection with nature.

The cost for two people here for 3 nights starts at 00

  • Approximate cost: US$ 1500
  • Number of people: 2
  • Nights: 3

Amazon Cruises in Iquitos

The services begin at the Iquitos airport and end there and include transfers to/from the city of Nauta, meals, excursions, and accommodation.

You can find prices from 0 to 00 per person for 3 nights according to the luxury you are looking for.

Here the level of difficulty includes a couple of easy walks in the forest, canoe rides, and entertainment on board.

  • Approximate cost: Between US$ 1500 to US$ 6000
  • Number of people: 2
  • Nights: 3

In summary, how much does it cost a trip to the Amazon in Iquitos?

How much cost a trip to the Amazon in Iquitos

How to book the tour in Iquitos?

For hotels, lodges, and cruises I recommend that you go directly to their website, this way you not only benefit from the deals but you can also be in direct contact in case of any eventuality.

For activities from the city, you can find some options online. If you are going to buy directly from the same site, a certain level of Spanish is necessary.

Pro tip: check the latest reviews of each company and remember that having 5 stars with 5 reviews is not the same as having 5 stars with hundreds of reviews.

REMEMBER: Wild animals must be in the forest, do not visit or support activities that involve handling wildlife.

Travel to Tambopata

Tambopata is located in the southeast of Peru, very close to Cuzco. The Tambopata National Reserve is known as one of the most biodiverse places in the world. That means your chances of seeing wildlife here are very good. It has flights from Lima and Cusco which facilitates the planning of your itinerary. In Tambopata, there is no cruise service.

Cost of hotels and tours in Tambopata

To get here you must take a flight to Puerto Maldonado airport.

The city has some 2 and 3-star hotels. You will find hotels in Puerto Maldonado from US$ 50 a night to US$ 110. What makes it more or less expensive? The same features you will find in any city hotel and the style of accommodation.

Here the location intervenes since there are boutique-style hotels that are not very accessible and although they look close on google maps, remember that you are in an Amazonian city, and there are no UBER-type taxi services, so it is good to consult these accommodations for their facilities to get closer to the city when you need it.

The activities that you can find have a cost of US$ 70 for half days up to US$ 180 for full days. Again, if your hotel is far from the city, ask the tour operator if they can pick you up from your accommodation or if you will have to go to a meeting point.

You can find regional restaurants around the square for approximately for each meal

  • Approximate cost: US$ 740
  • Number of people: 2
  • Nights: 3

Cost of ecolodges in Tambopata

It is worth repeating that your experience in ecolodges in Tambopata will depend on the location as we mentioned before, plus a super plus: in the region, different ecolodges distribute their resources for the development of conservation, science, and work with native communities. This is a super plus if you are looking for this trip to leave a positive impact on the forest and its inhabitants.

Madre de Dios, the region where Tambopata is located, for many years had agriculture as one of the main activities, so here more than anywhere else it is important to know the health of the forest if your interest is the observation of wildlife.

How do you know if the lodge you visit has a good forest for wildlife observation? Ask on their social networks when was the last time they saw jaguars, spider monkeys, and tapirs. Or check on travel forums what other travelers are saying about this topic.

The exploration of the forest and the chances of seeing wildlife can reach 5 stars if the lodge is well located. Here comfort could be sacrificed for the exploration of fauna, but it is not in all cases. You will not find air conditioning or swimming pools, but your contact with nature is much richer.

Our eco lodges are designed for just that, to connect with nature at all times, that’s why you won’t find walls in the common areas or on the bridges. In your room you will find only 3 walls, so one is open to the forest. And yes, if you can have visits from moths, butterflies if you are lucky a frog. But also the best opportunities to see wildlife very close to the lodge you could even see troops of monkeys from your room. After all, we are in the middle of super-healthy forests.

The cost for 2 for 3 nights starts at US$ 580 up to US$ 3417

  • Approximate cost: From US$ 580 to US$ 3400
  • Number of people: 2
  • Nights: 3

How do you book this tour in Tambopata?

Directly on its website, you can find the best deals, in addition to being able to count on personalized attention that will answer all your questions. Our specialists are nature lovers and love to organize expeditions to our favorite place in the world: Tambopata.

For activities from the city, most are only accessible from the city itself through agencies located around the square. Take note that these excursions are in group service, so you may want to know how many people are needed for the tour to depart.

Pro tip: In Tambopata, you will find two important rivers, the Madre de Dios and the Tambopata. The last one crosses the Tambopata National Reserve so its forests are much healthier, however here the location raises the price of the experience since the logistics are more expensive. Two ecolodges in the region are located within the Tambopata National Reserve. Remember location, location, location.

In summary, how much does it cost a trip to the Amazon in Tambopata?

How much cost a trip to the Amazon in Tambopata

REMEMBER The Amazonian forests are dense, and the wildlife is not arranged like in a zoo. You will not be able to handle animals.

CHECK AVAILABILITY

Travel to Manu

Manu is located in the southeast of Peru between Cuzco and Madre de Dios. You have the best chance of seeing wildlife because the Manu National Park groups together various types of clouds and rainforests. There are daily flights to get to Cusco from Lima and other departments of Peru. The trip from the city to Manu takes approximately 7 hours.

Cost of ecolodges in Manu

To get here you must take a flight to the airport in the city of Cusco. Stay in a hotel in the city for at least one night as expeditions to Manu leave early in the morning and they usually have Cusco main square as a meeting point.

The Manu National Park has two visitor areas, including the cultural area where the native communities are located. Make sure you visit the area of ​​your interest and confirm that you will be able to visit the protected natural area and not just the buffer zone to maximize your chances of seeing fauna, the qualification would be as follows:

  • Approximate cost: US$ 740**
  • Number of people: 2
  • Nights: 3 nights is the best

Remember that to take this expedition you must have booked the night before in the city of Cusco.

** The cost on internet does not specify if the accommodation is inside the park. Ask for this, when dealing with the tour operator.

How do you book a tour in Manu?

Ideally, direct on the website of the local operator you hire.

Here is a map where you can see how to get to each destination.

How to travel to the Amazon

Are you thinking about how it will be to travel to the Amazon and explore its forest? Take one of our virtual tours

Or chat with our rainforest specialist.

By Rocio Guzman

 

  • What our guest say

    • Valuation Excellent
    • 5/5

Sue_szb April 2026

Beam May 2026

David Staro May 2026

Serg Averkin April 2026

Carlotta May 2026

Asha S May 2026

Laurence W April 2026

Isobel Griffith April 2026

Kay T April 2026

Nancy Hodgson March 2026

Lesly Lagos March 2026

Batya K. February 2026

Wow what an experience! If you want to be fully immersed in Amazon life in a wonderful , comfortable eco lodge, and not have expectations of a 5 star city hotel (I'm not sure why you would, but some reviewers seemed disappointed it wasn't!) you will love this. You will be in a group, 6 in ours, but you don't all have to do the same activities, you just join another group. Plenty of spaces to chill and downtime if you need it...its hot and humid! There's a fan in the room and I heard the superior rooms have a fan under the mozzie net. Take a torch! We were never bitten, used deet repellent only. They provide rubber boots if you want them, some of the trails were very muddy, but we managed in our walking boots. We loved the open wall to the jungle, despite some bugs, but not too many surprisingly. Sooooo much wildlife, all sorts of monkeys, otters, turtles, caiman, different birds, capybara etc. Luis M was our guide, a local, and he could spot a spider from 5 metres I'm sure... great sense of humour and a wealth of knowledge, loved him. We spent 3 nights 20th-24th April, it rained on a couple of occasions but not much. Perfect holiday for an immersive wildlife experience! Read all

Beautiful lodge in the rainforest, very well maintained and clean. We had a lot of fun and excellent guides. The rooms and facilities were top-notch! Read all

We stayed at Posada Amazonas Lodge in May 2026, and it was a truly unique experience. It’s important to note that the concept is unlike a traditional hotel: the rooms (the lodge has around 30 in total) are built entirely of wood and open completely to the rainforest, with no windows. The walls are about two meters high, and everything is open-air, meaning you can hear your neighbors as well as the sounds of the forest throughout the night. There is a hot-water shower with drainage flowing through wooden beams beneath the floor, and the beds are protected with mosquito nets. The food is delicious and nutritious, and one pleasant surprise was the excellent Wi-Fi connection (Starlink) available both at the lodge and on the boats. The logistics are flawless from the moment you land in Puerto Maldonado, including a short car ride (accompanied by a security company) followed by a forty-minute cruise along the Tambopata River. The staff is incredibly friendly. Our guide, Luis M. (a member of the local community that manages the lodge), was simply outstanding, with eagle-eyed vision for spotting wildlife and always wearing a smile. Tour highlights: Canopy Tower: a 42-meter tower rising above the treetops with panoramic views. We loved seeing the river, the rainforest, and even the distant Andes Mountains on the horizon. We returned at night during a nocturnal wildlife tour, where we spotted tarantulas, white sloths, and tree frogs. Lake Tres Chimbadas: a peaceful catamaran ride (without a motor) where Luis showed us a group of red-bellied monkeys, giant otters, and caimans. The scenery and tranquility are incredible. Trek to the “Great Tree”: a forest hike where we saw deer, jaguar tracks, a three-toed sloth, and more wildlife. At the end of the trail, we reached the gigantic ceiba tree: around 500 years old, approximately 60 meters tall, and with an impressive 11-meter base diameter. Highly recommended for anyone wanting to experience the true Amazon! Read all

An exceptional experience that truly exceeded all expectations. What impressed me the most is that here they genuinely want to make your stay as comfortable as possible — and that, to me, is what real high-level service is all about. The guide really tries to fill every excursion with emotions and memorable moments, turning simple activities into meaningful experiences. The kitchen team puts great effort into variety and introduces you to Peruvian cuisine — it feels like a small гастрономic journey. Housekeeping works like invisible bees — you don’t notice them, but everything is always perfectly taken care of. Another big highlight is the comfort level: stable electricity and surprisingly good internet both on the way and at the lodge, powered by Starlink. Having this level of connectivity in the middle of the jungle is something truly special. From reception and the bar to the boat driver — everyone is genuinely warm and happy to have you. You can really feel that each person is a small but important part of one big system delivering outstanding eco-tourism service. Bravo — achieving this level of service in the wild is not easy, and it shows. This experience was very valuable for me and my family. I won’t get tired of thanking you for the emotions you gave us. Highly recommended. Dear travelers — don’t hesitate. Go, enjoy the incredible nature and the level of service. This is something you will remember for a lifetime. Read all

We had the most amazing time at Refugio Amazonas for 3 nights, with a huge thanks to our guide Juan Carlos! On the first afternoon we sat down and planned our activities, which we loved! We came face to face with hundreds of birds, tarantulas, leaf carrying ants spanning 10 meter motorways to work and deliver the leaves to the ant house for food, parasites, and even leaves that cause natural dyes on oxidation - we learned so much. Carlos was genuinly interested in showing us everything the jungle had to offer, humorous and caring too. Carlos knew anything and everything about what was around us, pointing out things and creatures that the untrained eye would miss, carrying a telescope at all times for us to see the birds, ensuring we got magical videos on our phones using the telescope! Read all

Many thanks to Refugio Amazonas for an unforgettable experience! Brenda and team were so wonderful and accommodating, and Alan was a great guide. Thank you for a memorable experience! :) Read all

We had an excellent time at Tambopata research center. We are tourists like most who now visit the center, but it’s great to know that you can support research and the local community by visiting a place like this. Our guide for our trip, Esau, was extremely knowledgeable and showed great passion for his job. He described it as a hobby and he would get very excited if you spotted a specific bird or a tree. His specific knowledge about each and every creature in the forest was very impressive and I would recommend asking for Esau to be your guide in the future if you plan to visit. The hotel itself is unique. You are in the middle of the Amazon rainforest - the accessibility to nature is second to none. There are no windows in the hotel rooms. We had bugs in our room, of course, but the mosquito nets keep everything out and, actually, we both slept very well. The bar staff, Harrison, is very knowledgeable with drinks and works very hard. The food isn’t the best you’re ever going to have, but you have to remind yourself you are in the middle of the rainforest and that it takes a 6 hour round trip to get to the nearest town, and so the job that the hotel does in respect of the food is actually intuitive and very good. I would recommend this hotel to my peers and I would love to visit again in a few years time. Read all

We just finished a 4-night stay at Tambopata Research Center and it was the highlight of our entire Peru trip. From the first email with Mariella to being picked up at the airport to the actual stay itself, every step was smooth and every employee was attentive. Having never stayed in a lodge like this (this remote or exclusive), we were a little nervous about what to expect. Our guide, Timo was INCREDIBLE at tailoring all the activities to us. When he found out we liked more adventurous hikes, he took us on walks through swamps, bamboo forests, and little-used trails while always keeping an eye out for monkeys, birds, and insects. His knowledge of the wildlife, plants, and history of the area was beyond what we hoped for and he truly made the experience worth it. Read all

Spent 4 nights in mid April. I had high expectations and was not disappointed. Our guide Carmen picked us up at the airport and we saw monkeys already on our way to the lodge. We had a wonderful stay with exceptional food and activities everyday. Our guide Carmen was great and our itinerary was based on her suggestions however we could decide on what we would like to see. Wildlife is abundant, however, sometimes difficult to spot and photograph due to the low light. It rained a lot despite April being considered a transitioning time to dry season. But come on ... it's the rainforest. The clear highlight are the macaws which you can hear all time and also see from the tower and at the leks. Read all

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

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