Getting to the Amazon River
Two cities are the usual gateways. Manaus in Brazil has the Eduardo Gomes airport, and Iquitos in Peru has the Francisco Secada Vignetta airport with the code IQT. From there you join a cruise, a lodge program or a boat. If your plan is a cruise, start with the Amazon River cruises and check where each one boards.
The river itself is also a road. Passenger boats run from Manaus to Belém and to Tabatinga, and a ferry links Iquitos with Santa Rosa on the Peruvian side of the tri-border area. All fares below are 2026 examples and can change. Check the current timetable before you go.
Manaus Airport
The gateway for the Brazilian Amazon.
The Manaus airport carries the name Eduardo Gomes. In May 2026 the airport served 27 national and international destinations. Routes change, so check airlines for routes, frequencies and prices on your dates. Cruise and lodge programs from Manaus usually start with a transfer from the airport or from a city hotel, so ask your operator where you are collected.
For the city and what to do around it, see the Manaus guide.
Our pick: from the airport in Manaus
A private car from the airport to your hotel after a late arrival.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Amazon tours and cruises you can reach from Manaus and Iquitos
River cruises, boat trips and lodge programs, with live prices and availability.
Iquitos airport
The gateway for the Peruvian Amazon.
Iquitos airport is named Francisco Secada Vignetta and sits in the Loreto region. Many Peru cruise programs include a transfer from Iquitos to Nauta, where the ship boards. Plan the airport or hotel pickup and the boarding point separately, and ask where you will meet your group.
More on the city is on the Iquitos page.
Slow boats from Manaus
Ticket offers in 2026. Hammocks are not included.
| Route | Time | Hammock | Cabin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manaus to Belém | 4 days 12 hours, or 5 days | BRL 580 | BRL 4,350 for 2 people |
| Manaus to Tabatinga | 6 or 7 days | BRL 615 | BRL 2,900 for 2 people |
The port posts maximum fares of BRL 450 to Belém and BRL 510 to Tabatinga, subject to change. Offers differ on travel time, on whether meals and water are included and on the cabin price basis, so ask before you pay. Bring or buy your own hammock. For most visitors with limited time, flying is the better choice. The boat suits those who have five to seven days and want the river to be the trip.
The navy ran a 2026 safety campaign in the western Amazon that checked life jackets, exits, passenger limits and crew papers. Look for these on any boat you board.
Ferry from Iquitos to Santa Rosa
The fast ferry to the tri-border area.
Schedule and time
The ferry takes about 12 to 15 hours. It leaves Iquitos on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and leaves the border on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. It has seats and air conditioning, with no hammock class on this fast ferry.
Fares
The economy fare is PEN 80 plus a PEN 8.50 passenger fee, the regular fare is PEN 250 and the fare for foreign passengers is PEN 300. Do not plan on the PEN 80 rate. Confirm which fare applies to you before you travel.
Luggage and food
Up to 2 suitcases of 30 kg are allowed, with a charge for excess weight. A café on board sells food and snacks. Do not assume that meals are included.
The end of the line
The ferry ends at Santa Rosa on the Peruvian side. Border formalities and the boat on to Leticia are separate, and there is no through ticket. Plan both on your own.
Leticia and the tri-border area →Leticia and the tri-border area
Entry rules and the boat to Puerto Nariño.
Entering Colombia
German tourists need no visa. The border officer sets the length of stay with a stamp, at most 90 days to start. Check your stamp. An open town border does not replace permission to travel on in the neighboring country.
Yellow fever from Brazil
When you arrive in Colombia from Brazil, proof of yellow fever vaccination is required from age 1, and the 10-day period before the vaccination takes effect applies. The German Foreign Office states this as of October 2026.
Boat to Puerto Nariño
From the civil port of Leticia the trip takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. The fare is COP 42,000 per person, including 21 kg of luggage. The departures of 7, 9, 12 and 14 hours are reference times, not a fixed timetable.
Plan the rest of your trip
Pages that go with your route.
Where to stay
City hotel, lodge or cruise cabin.
Best time to visit
High water, low water and what changes.
Manaus and Iquitos weather
Monthly temperature and rainfall.
Leticia
Brazil, Colombia and Peru meet here.
For general advice on planning a trip across the Amazon basin, see the travel tips for the Amazon jungle.
Getting to the Amazon: frequently asked questions
Which airport do I fly into for the Amazon?
For the Brazilian Amazon, Manaus airport (Eduardo Gomes). For the Peruvian side, Iquitos airport (Francisco Secada Vignetta, code IQT). Cruise programs from Peru board in Nauta after a transfer from Iquitos.
How long is the boat from Manaus to Belém?
Allow 4 days 12 hours or 5 days, so plan with the longer time. A hammock at BRL 580 is not included in the fare, so bring your own.
Do I need a hammock for the slow boat?
Yes, if you travel in a hammock class. It is not included. Cabins are an alternative, priced for two people.
How do I get from Iquitos to Leticia?
The ferry runs from Iquitos to Santa Rosa in 12 to 15 hours. From there the border crossing and the onward boat to Leticia are your own plan, with no through ticket.
What do I need to enter Colombia from Brazil?
Proof of yellow fever vaccination from age 1, with the 10-day period before it takes effect, and a passport. German tourists need no visa for a first stay of up to 90 days, set by the stamp.
Is amazon-river.org an official transport site?
No. This is an independent travel guide with no link to an airport, a ferry operator, a cruise line or a tour operator.