Packing for the Amazon: the golden rule
The rainforest asks for little, but it asks for the right things. Expect heat, heavy humidity, rain on any given day, mosquitoes, and a wall of green in every direction. Pack well and you spend the trip enjoying it; pack badly and you spend it sweating, swatting, and wishing you had done your homework. The golden rule is simple: travel light into the jungle. Your big suitcase stays in the city, and you carry only the essentials out to the lodge or the riverboat. More on that at the end.
The essentials you cannot skip
- Strong insect repellent (look for DEET or picaridin). This is item number one, and nothing else on the list comes close.
- Lightweight long-sleeved clothing in light colors. It shields you from the sun by day and from mosquitoes at dawn and dusk, which is when they are at their worst.
- Closed-toe shoes, plus rubber boots if you plan to hike. Many lodges lend boots out, so ask before you buy your own pair.
- A light rain jacket or poncho. Rain is possible all year round, so this never leaves the bag.
- A flashlight or headlamp. Night walks and the occasional power outage will have you glad you packed one.
- A cap or hat and sunscreen.
- A reusable water bottle.
A basic first aid kit
Bring your personal medications plus an antihistamine, something for an upset stomach, adhesive bandages, rehydration salts, and a cream for insect bites. As for the yellow fever vaccine and other health precautions, talk to a travel vaccination clinic or your own doctor before you fly. We are not giving medical advice here; this is simply the standard recommendation for the lowland rainforest, and the people who can tailor it to you are the professionals.
Electronics and documents
Pack zip-top bags or dry bags to protect your phone and camera from the humidity and the inevitable splashes off the side of the boat. Bring a power bank too, since electricity at jungle lodges often runs for only a few hours a day. Carry your passport (some reserve areas register visitors at entry) along with copies or photos of your documents stored separately, just in case.
What NOT to bring, and what to leave at the hotel
Leave the formal wear, the hair dryer, and the giant hard-shell suitcase at home or in the city. The jungle is casual, and the humidity wrinkles everything anyway. Take a small bag or backpack out to the lodge or riverboat with the items above, and leave your big suitcase in your hotel's luggage storage back in Iquitos to collect when you return. This is the standard move, especially if your departure flight leaves the day after you get back from the jungle. We walk through exactly how that works in one night in Iquitos before your jungle lodge.
Adjust for the season
During high water (December to May), pack a bit more waterproof gear, since you will spend more time on the river than on foot. During low water (June to October), walking footwear takes center stage as more trails open up. The full breakdown of what changes with the water level is in our guide to the best time to visit Iquitos, and it is worth a read before you finalize your bag.
At Bora Hotel we store your big suitcase free of charge while you are out in the jungle, with no limit on the number of days, and our front desk is staffed 24 hours for whenever you get back. We also run free airport transfers around the clock, with breakfast included and air conditioning to come home to. We are right in the center of town at Calle Raimondi 363, minutes from the Plaza de Armas and the riverfront promenade. Message us on WhatsApp at +51 945 572 732 if you have any questions about what you will need for your specific tour.
