Piranha fishing on the Amazon River: what a trip involves
Piranha fishing is a short, simple activity. You get a guide, a boat or a stretch of bank, a hand line and bait. It is usually one stop inside a longer program, not a trip of its own. A Manaus program includes it in the late afternoon around Lago Janauacá, and the Rio Negro trip includes it as well. Both sit inside multi-day boat programs, so compare them with our Amazon river cruise guide before you choose. For lodge-based stays in several countries, see Amazon jungle lodges.
In Peru, piranha fishing is part of the tourism offer in the Pacaya-Samiria reserve, and you take part through an authorized operator. No trip can promise a catch. Water level, weather and the spot decide that. If you want the wider picture first, see our guide to Amazon river tours from Manaus, Iquitos and Leticia.
Our picks: piranha fishing on a river trip
Piranha fishing is part of these trips rather than a tour on its own. The Rio Negro cruise and the jungle stay give several days on the water; the canoe day is the one-day option from Manaus.
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.
Rio Negro and Anavilhanas cruise, 3 or 4 days
- Cabin or hammock by option
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Bilingual local guide
Two or three nights on board in a cabin or hammock by option, with all main meals and guided excursions, piranha fishing among them.
Check availability →
Jungle immersion for two to five days
- All meals
- Canoe, kayaks and SUP
- Piranha fishing
One to four nights by package with jungle trails, canoe, kayaks and piranha fishing. Hotel or airport pickup is an add-on.
Check availability →
One day in the jungle by wooden canoe
- All entry fees
- Motorised wooden canoe
- Local lunch
Twelve hours with an air-conditioned car and a motorised wooden canoe, all entry fees, piranha fishing and a local lunch. The route changes with the water level.
Check availability →Piranha fishing and Amazon river tours
Boat trips, lodge stays and cruises from Manaus, Iquitos and Leticia, with live prices and availability.
Where piranha fishing is offered
Two areas, two ways to take part.
| Area | How you take part | Price example (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Manaus, Rio Negro program | Part of a 4-day, 3-night boat program | $1,775 per person |
| Manaus, Lago Janauacá | Late-afternoon stop within a program | – |
| Pacaya-Samiria, Peru | Authorised operators only | Reserve entry and operator costs are separate |
For most visitors, fishing as part of a multi-day program from Manaus or an authorized Pacaya-Samiria trip is the simplest route. The operator handles the spot, the boat and the rules. Reserve fees are on our Pacaya-Samiria guide.
Piranha fishing rules and protected areas
What applies in Brazil and Peru.
The Brazilian licence
The federal licence for amateur fishing costs BRL 20 for fishing from the shore and BRL 60 from a boat, and it is valid for 1 year (2026). Ask your operator whether your trip is covered and who arranges the licence.
It is not a free pass
The federal licence does not replace state licences. It also gives no permission in places that other rules protect. Ask which stretch of water your trip uses.
Selling the catch
Selling a recreational catch is prohibited in Brazil. Fishing on a tour is for the experience.
Peru and Pacaya-Samiria
Reserve trips run through authorized operators. That is not a general right to fish in the reserve, so follow your guide's instructions.
Seasons, sizes and limits
Closed seasons, size limits and catch limits can differ by place and date. Ask your operator what applies on your dates and what happens to the fish you catch.
Red-bellied piranha and other piranha species
One name, several fish.
The red-bellied piranha, Pygocentrus nattereri, belongs to the family Serrasalmidae. The word piranha covers more than one fish, and a fish caught on a trip is not always identified to species. Ask your guide what is on the line. For other river animals, see our Amazon river animals guide.
Fishing and swimming are separate questions. German travel advice for Brazil (as of October 2026) recommends against bathing in inland waters because of schistosomiasis, and the risk can exist in flowing water too. Our animals page has the details.
Before you book a piranha fishing trip
Four questions to ask.
Is fishing really in the program?
Check the day-by-day list. Fishing is often one stop among boat rides, forest walks and wildlife viewing.
Who handles the licence?
Ask before you pay, not on the boat.
What happens to the fish?
Ask about the operator's practice and the rules for your dates.
What is the water level?
Water level changes routes and spots. Read our best time to visit page when you choose your dates.
Piranha fishing on the Amazon: frequently asked questions
Can I go piranha fishing on the Amazon River?
Yes, on organised trips. Programs from Manaus include it, and Pacaya-Samiria offers it through authorized operators. Availability depends on the program and the water level.
Do I need a licence for piranha fishing in Brazil?
Brazil's federal amateur licence costs BRL 20 for shore fishing and BRL 60 from a boat, valid for 1 year (2026). Ask your operator whether your trip is covered and who arranges it.
Will I catch a piranha?
No trip can promise it. Water level, weather and the spot all play a role, so treat a catch as a bonus.
Can I swim where people fish for piranha?
German travel advice for Brazil recommends against bathing in inland waters because of schistosomiasis. Ask your guide and follow local instructions.
Can I keep or sell what I catch?
Selling a recreational catch is prohibited in Brazil. For anything else, ask your operator about the rules on your dates.
Is this an official Amazon River site?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It is not connected to any authority, reserve or tour operator.