Are you thinking about exploring the Peru Amazon in February?
Covering over 60% of the entire landmass of Peru, the Amazon Rainforest is one of the most unforgettable places you can visit when exploring this South American country – where everything from Jaguars and Giant River Otters to Pink River Dolphins and Sloths can be seen during rainforest tours. February is usually the peak wet season month for this region, however despite the extra showers it’s an incredible time to visit for spotting birdlife and seeing the Amazon landscapes at their most beautiful vivid and green.
In this comprehensive guide we’ll explore everything you need to know about visiting the Peruvian Amazon in February. This includes why you should visit, the advantages and disadvantages of this month, as well as the very best things to do. We’ll also answer your most frequently asked questions in our FAQ section.
Is It Worth Visiting The Peru Amazon In February?
One of the quietest times to visit the Peruvian Amazon, February offers some truly unique advantages for tourists who visit during this month. With peak rainfall, the entire landscape is filled with bright green vegetation, flowering plants and fast-flowing tributaries. This makes it easier to travel into further remote regions by boat which are otherwise inaccessible during the dry season – where we can maximise our chances of spotting the most rare Amazon wildlife like Poison Dart Frogs and smaller Monkey species.
Given February experiences less tourists than most other months, this also makes guided hikes much more immersive and fruitful for spotting wildlife. Even in the more popular areas like Lake Sandoval near Puerto Maldonado, less groups and noise mean that local species like Giant River Otters and Hoatzin are much easier to spot. At night we’ll also hear the Amazon break into the most unforgettable symphony of sounds – where it’s also easier to spot rainforest Spider species, Frogs and other exotic insects and amphibians.
Advantages Of The Amazon In February:
- Incredible wet Amazon Jungle landscapes
- Great for spotting birds and insects
- One of the quietest times of the year for a visit
Disadvantages Of The Amazon In February:
- Some of the most extreme showers happen in February, which can sometimes disrupt travel plans around Peru
Everything You Need To Know About Visiting The Peru Amazon In February
The Weather For The Peru Amazon In February
Similar to the case for the Peruvian Amazon in January, February is also quite the wet and wild month. Showers are often intense and extremely regional – meaning they can start seemingly out of nowhere – however do often clear up just as fast. While the benefit of course is a more active and pristine rainforest, this does mean you’re likely to get wet during your tours. As a result it’s vital to bring waterproofs, a poncho as well as a spare change of clothes in your day pack when heading out on excursions.
The Amazon in February is also going to get quite hot as we are now within the peak summer season. During the day it’s common for tourists to get caught out once rains subside and the sun comes out, so it’s important to use sunscreen and to bring it with you so you can reapply when needed. Light breathable clothes are recommended for the evenings, while a strong Mosquito spray is vital too.
Packing List For The Peru Amazon In February
Below you can see everything you will need for your visit into the Amazon in February.
- Breathable layers for hikes during the daytime (as temperatures can get very hot between showers in February).
- Long hiking trousers.
- High quality hiking boots for your jungle expeditions.
- Swimming gear.
- A poncho or rainproof coat (bring it in your daypack even if it’s clear blue skies – since showers can arrive quickly).
- Spare t-shirts or vests in your daypack
- A jumper for the evenings if temperatures temporarily drop during showers.
- Pyjamas for comfortable sleep.
- A hat to avoid sunburns (a baseball cap or jungle-style hat work great here).
- High SPF sunscreen.
- Mosquito repellant (especially important during February as it’s a peak wet season month).
- A hand towel.
- A reusable water bottle for longer treks.
- A day pack to hold everything you need (such as extra layers and other items).
- A quality camera or mobile phone.
- A portable power bank.
- Any personal medications.
The Best Experiences To Enjoy In The Peru Amazon In February
Search For Colourful Amazonian Frogs
The combination of heavy rainfall and warm temperatures in February provides optimal conditions for spotting vibrant Frogs of the Peruvian Amazon. During night walks, frogs are especially active and can be easier-sighted given their combination of bright colours and loud chirps. Expert guides can help locate everything from Poison Dart Frogs and Amazon Milk Frogs to the Red-Eyed Tree Frog.
Venture Into The Flooded Forests Of The Amazon Rainforest
Right within the peak of the wet season, February sees river levels rise to some of their highest in the year – which transforms the Amazon into a maze of flooded forests. This creates a unique opportunity to explore virgin jungle which is inaccessible at other times of the year, where you can really get off the beaten path. As these areas are untouched and quieter, it’s possible to spot more species of Monkeys, exotic Birds and Sloths moving through the branches.
Watch For Monkeys In The Jungle Canopy
With everything from tiny Pygmy Marmosets to the shrieking Howler Monkeys, there are many exotic Monkey species to spot in Peru. February is one of the best months to spot them during wildlife tours, as groups actively swing between trees to take advantage of the fruiting trees and fresh abundance of food. This also includes families of Squirrel Monkeys, Brown Capuchins and Spider Monkeys – which are some of the easiest to spot as they can be very curious towards humans.
Enjoy Amazonian Landscapes At Their Lushest
As previously mentioned, February is a very wet month. While this means heavy showers can quickly begin and end with little notice, the huge advantage is the spectacular, vibrant rainforest scenery as a result. Heavy rainfall keeps the jungle vegetation bright green and encourages ripening fruits, making a visit here highly memorable on all senses. This of course also attracts more wildlife to the trees too, making the rainforest feel very alive in February during both the day and night.
Our Expert Tips For Visiting The Peru Amazon In February
One of the more unique times to visit the Peruvian Amazon, it’s important to have proper expectations before your trip here in February. While flights are frequent between Lima and cities like Puerto Maldonado and Iquitos (where expeditions head deeper into the Amazon), there can sometimes be delays due to heavy rains or mists. For this reason it’s important to be flexible and have a couple of free buffer days in your itinerary, where delays can also occur with overland transport too.
Making sure you pack properly for your expedition is also vital for this month. Bringing a high DEET spray is important for the day treks since the wetter weather can attract more Mosquitoes – while at night you’ll be fine when staying at a lodge where mosquito nets are prepared for guests. Sturdy hiking shoes are recommended as the terrain can often be muddy or slippery, while sunscreen is also essential since it can get very hot in February. Be sure to read through our full packing list for the Amazon which is found earlier in this guide.
Book Your Amazon Rainforest Tour With Tronco Tambopata Now
We offer a variety of expert-led tours around the Tambopata Rainforest near Puerto Maldonado, which is the perfect addition onto any itinerary around Peru. This area of the Peruvian Amazon Jungle is famous for its globally-leading levels of biodiversity, which includes over 200 species of mammals, 650 species of birds, and over 200 species of endemic amphibians and reptiles.
As well as including exciting wildlife spotting tours and unforgettable Amazon river journeys with one of our very best guides, you’ll also have the very best comforts and amenities provided during your jungle tour. All meals are cooked by our experienced chefs, private transport included to and from your hotel or accommodation in Puerto Maldonado, as well as a stay at our Amazon lodge.
Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting The Peru Amazon In February
In this section we’ll now explore the most frequent questions we get about visiting the Peru Amazon in February, as well as anything else you need to know.
What Is The Weather Like In The Amazon In February?
The peak rainy month for the region, the Amazon in February can get pretty wet. Heavy showers are intermittent and can sometimes come out of nowhere – however often clear up just as quickly too. Temperatures are also at their warmest as February is part of the Peruvian summer season, meaning you’ll also need to bring light breathable clothing and to keep reapplying sunscreen during your treks.
Is The Peruvian Amazon Worth Visiting In February?
February can be a truly brilliant month for visiting the Peruvian Amazon if you have the right frame of mind. While getting wet and potentially having some delays are common, the benefits of a visit during this month almost always make up for it. Rare bird species are at their most active, while it’s also easier to venture deeper by boat and enjoy bright green virgin rainforest and spot more rare wildlife.
What Is The Rainy Season In The Amazon?
While the Amazon Rainforest has showers and some rainfall virtually all months of the year, the main wet season for this massive region usually falls between October and April. In many countries like Peru and Brazil, frequent heavy showers are common, while river levels reach some of their highest for the entire year. It’s important to know that rainfall patterns are highly regionalised and random, so it’s essential to pack waterproofs even if you only see clear blue skies.
Overview Of Exploring The Peru Amazon In February
And that’s all for this guide on visiting the Peru Amazon in February.
One of the most unforgettable regions that you can visit in Peru, the Amazon Rainforest is the perfect place to spot exotic wildlife and truly head off the beaten path. During a visit to the Amazon in February, it’s possible to head deeper by boat and see virgin jungle along with more rare and exotic species, while the extra rainfall turns this region into a vast and thick vegetative paradise.
Ready to explore the wonders of the Peruvian Amazon? Here at Tronco Tambopata, we operate Our Three Day Amazon Jungle Tour which explores this incredible rainforest region. As well as having private experience tour guides lead your treks, you’ll also have all meals, transport and lodging all included too.
