At a glance
- The Amazon is one of the wettest places on earth – it rains about 200 days of the year – so you’ll need to pack an umbrella and a light rain jacket
- In addition to being humid, the Amazon is also hot – the average annual temperature is around 27 °C – meaning suncream, sunglasses and a hat are required
- Choose comfort over style, as you’ll be doing a lot of walking and exploring; most Amazon River cruises feature at least two excursions a day
The essentials
As you’ll need to fly out to Brazil, Peru, or Ecuador to join your Amazon River cruise, the most important thing to pack is your passport, which must be valid for at least six months from your date of entry. Anything less and you’ll likely be denied entry.
Most South American countries also require a minimum of two blank pages for entry and exit stamps. If you don’t have either of these, you’ll need to renew your passport ahead of your Amazon trip. The UK government website currently states you should allow up to three weeks from when officials receive your old passport and supporting documents.
Tourist visas for the Amazon depend on which country you are visiting. Check the FCDO website for the most accurate and up-to-date information on entry requirements.
Don’t forget to take out travel insurance, which takes away some of the financial pain if things go wrong, too. If you have an annual travel policy, check the fine print: standard travel insurance rarely covers river or ocean cruises, so chances are you’ll need to take out special additional cover to protect yourself.
What to wear on excursions
Paddington Bear may have worn his trademark blue duffle coat for his Amazon adventure in the 2024 film Paddington in Peru, but you can leave yours at home.
The Amazon is hot and humid, so pack loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and trousers to protect you not just from the fierce sun but also mosquitoes. World of Cruising tip: make sure your clothes are light-coloured as mozzies are attracted to dark colours.
A lightweight rain jacket, poncho or sturdy umbrella is another essential to help you stay dry during sudden rain showers. Meanwhile, waterproof hiking boots worn with long socks (to prevent critters crawling up your leg) are ideal for jungle treks. If a night walk features on your itinerary, pack a flashlight too.
Lastly, remember to bring your sun hat, sunscreen and sunglasses, which not only shield your eyes from the sun but make it easier to spot rainforest animals. If you’re planning on taking a dip in the mythical Amazon, also pack your swimwear.
What to wear on your ship
An Amazon River cruise is a relaxed affair, where the dress code is all about being comfortable and casual. To this end, you’ll want to have a good selection (bring several sets as your clothing will get damp due to the Amazon’s steamy climate) of cotton t-shirts, shorts and skirts.
When night falls, the dress code remains informal and unpretentious. While you are welcome to dress up a little – think long trousers and shirts for men and dresses, smart trousers or skirts for women – there is certainly no need for a cocktail dress or jacket and tie.
Regardless of what you choose to wear, you’ll want to keep a light jumper or pashmina close to hand as cruise ship air conditioning can be glacial. Out on deck, you’ll find that Amazon temperatures can drop to around 23 °C at night.
Some Amazon River ships – step forward Aqua Expeditions' Aqua Nera and Delfin Amazon Cruises' Delfin II and Delfin III – feature small gyms, so if you’re planning on working out, stuff your exercise gear in your suitcase too.
Toiletries
Shampoo, shower gel, and soap are invariably always provided, but unless you have booked a luxury Amazon River cruise, you’ll likely find that conditioner and body lotion are conspicuous by their absence. If these are two items you think you will need, it’s a good idea to bring them with you.
Think too about packing a small travel first aid kit (read plasters, painkillers, hand sanitiser and antidiarrheal medicine) as well as insect repellent containing DEET – mosquitoes, mercifully, hate the stuff.
And, if you want to return from your Amazon with a suntan rather than a tropical disease, World of Cruising strongly recommends seeking advice from a travel clinic regarding antimalarial medications at least six weeks before your river cruise is due to commence.
A doctor can then advise on whether they are needed for the section of the Amazon you’re sailing and, if so, the options (Malarone and doxycycline are the two most commonly prescribed tablets), likely to suit you best.
Other personal items you will need to pack include deodorant, a toothbrush and toothpaste, and your preferred skincare and shaving products. However, you can leave the hairdryer at home as most ships provide one.
Technology
Bring binoculars and, if you have one, a zoom lens camera for wildlife in close-up. Relying on your phone camera? Have a battery pack on hand to keep it juiced up.
While you’ll probably want to pack your iPad or a tablet, be warned that Wi-Fi can be patchy – you are, after all, in the middle of the rainforest – so it pays to download any books or movies you may want to read or watch in advance of your Amazon River cruise.
Don’t forget that your tech will need charging, so add their respective chargers plus a plethora of power adapters to your packing list.
And, as it rains a lot in the Amazon, we’d recommend bringing a waterproof phone pouch to keep your device dry.
Last word
Going on an Amazon River cruise is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Since it’s not something most people do very often, it’s also not the easiest trip to pack for, but if we can dispense just one piece of advice, it’s this: don’t overpack and prioritise layers (the most practical way to cope with fluctuating daytime and night-time temperatures) over style.
What else to know before you book:
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