Friends, ready for a true river epic? Imagine crossing the Amazon the classic way—by slow boats strung with hammocks, dinner bells ringing, sunsets blazing, and star-swept midnights.

This 3-week route from Belém (Brazil) to Leticia/Santa Rosa (Colombia/Peru), then onward to Iquitos and Yurimaguas, blends budget travel with big scenery.

Below is everything needed to recreate the journey—prices, timings, comfort levels, and smart shortcuts.

<h3>Why Go</h3>

This isn't a flyover. It's immersive, affordable, and unforgettable. You'll drift through widewater channels, pull into river towns, and fall into an easy rhythm of meals, naps, and deck-side conversations. A hammock becomes your bedroom; the sky, your theater.

<h3>Route Map</h3>

Classic east-to-west flow: Belém → Manaus → Tabatinga/Leticia → Santa Rosa (Peru) → Iquitos → Yurimaguas. From Yurimaguas, buses continue to Tarapoto and on to the Peruvian highlands.

<h3>Tickets & Costs</h3>

Prices vary by boat and season, but use these ballparks:

• Belém → Manaus: $34 USD (hammock space).

• Manaus → Tabatinga: $60 USD (often includes three daily meals).

• Santa Rosa → Iquitos: $18 USD (meals included; bring drinking water).

• Iquitos → Yurimaguas: $26 USD (hammock + meals).

Buy at the port offices a few hours before departure (or the day prior); bring cash and ID.

<h3>Hammock Life</h3>

You'll need a hammock and strong cord (buy in Belém markets; budget $5.10 to $8.50 USD total). Arrive early to claim space, tie diagonally for comfort, and leave a narrow aisle for neighbors. Keep valuables in a small daypack under your feet or clipped to your line at night.

<h3>Onboard Basics</h3>

Most Brazilian boats provide potable water, simple showers/toilets cleaned daily, and canteens selling snacks and soft drinks. Peruvian boats are more basic—plan to carry your own drinking water, toilet paper, and hand sanitizer. Earplugs are gold; engines thrum all night.

<h3>Belém–Manaus</h3>

Expect boarding late afternoon and actual departure around 5–7 pm. The first night sets the tone: dozens (sometimes hundreds) of hammocks in a floating dorm, surprisingly friendly and orderly. Meal plates run about $2 USD and are generous (think rice, beans, salad, protein). Days blur into reading, card games, and riverside watching; nights bring a cool breeze and dazzling constellations.

<h3>Manaus–Tabatinga</h3>

This leg is busier with fewer travelers and more local families moving between settlements. Tickets often include three meals daily (breakfast around 6 am; lunch late morning; dinner mid-afternoon), which simplifies budgeting. Departures can slide hours beyond schedule—completely normal. Embrace it by securing your hammock early, then exploring the deck for the quietest corner.

<h3>Border Crossing</h3>

At Tabatinga/Leticia, Brazil, Colombia, and Peru meet. Typical flow when heading west:

Carry pens, cash, and copies of documents. Arrive in daylight whenever possible; lodging and transport are easier to arrange.

<h3>To Iquitos</h3>

The Santa Rosa → Iquitos cargo boat is cheaper and rougher than Brazilian legs. Expect shared bathrooms, basic meals (e.g., rice, beans, noodles, chicken), and no onboard drinking water. Buy water in town, then board via narrow gangplanks—keep hands free and backpacks snug. Despite the simplicity, this stretch feels wonderfully "river life"—early mist on the water, cooking from tiny villages, and long, reflective hours on deck.

<h3>Yurimaguas Boat</h3>

From Iquitos, newer Peruvian boats to Yurimaguas are a step up: a small shop selling essentials, shaded seating, and spacious decks. Departures can be delayed by a full day. Don't stress—port staff will point you to the right vessel once cargo is loaded. This final leg is prime for lazy journaling, card tournaments, and quiet sunsets.

<h3>Food & Water</h3>

Where meals aren't included, plan $6–$10 USD/day for hot plates or snacks on board. Otherwise, bring fruit, crackers, nuts, and instant coffee. In Brazil, many boats serve solid, fill-you-up lunches; in Peru, flavors are simple and hearty. Always keep 3–5 liters of water per person for the longer stretches if the boat doesn't supply it.

<h3>Safety Tips</h3>

<b>• Valuables:</b> Sleep with your daypack clipped to your hammock or use a light cable lock. Don't leave devices charging unattended at night.

<b>• Health:</b> Hand gel, basic meds, sunscreen, hat, and a light scarf for cool breezes.

<b>• Gear:</b> Headlamp, quick-dry towel, flip-flops for showers, and a light rain shell.

<b>• Time:</b> Riverboats rarely run to the minute. Build buffer days at every junction.

<b>• Ports:</b> Arrive and move around in daylight when possible; pre-arrange short taxis between terminals.

<h3>Budget & Stays</h3>

Plan $20–$35 USD/day excluding long legs where meals are included. In Belém and Manaus, stay near the port for easy boarding; in Iquitos, look for simple guesthouses within walking distance of the riverfront. In small border towns, rooms are basic—carry small bills and confirm check-in times early.

<h3>Moments To Savor</h3>

The river's quiet at 3:30 am. The engine's steady hum. A silver path of moonlight on black water. Afternoon storms flickering on the horizon like a far-off cinema. Simple scenes become the highlight reel of the trip.

<h3>Final Thoughts</h3>

This journey trades speed for presence. You'll measure time by meal bells and sunsets, not by mile markers. For travelers who enjoy slow, shared adventures, the Amazon boat route is pure magic. Which direction will you take—and when will your hammock be tied across the deck?