Around 40% of the South American continent is part of the Amazon Basin, a network of tributaries and waterways branching out from the main stem of the Amazon River. Feeding the Amazon Rainforest, the river gives life to the world´s largest number of animals and plants. This makes it ideal for a fantastic family adventure aboard the best family cruises in South America.
Tropical areas, with their high rainfall and wetter climate, are where you can often find the world’s largest rivers and often the world´s best cruises. The Amazon is no exception. The Amazon River and its tributaries pass by incredibly diverse sections of tropical forest where you can see many fascinating animals and plants. Enjoy watching and taking photos of Amazon monkeys, like capuchins, tamarins, squirrel monkeys, howler monkeys and others, a great assortment of colourful birds, such as tanagers, macaws, parrots, oropendolas, and kingfishers, and many, many more.
The Amazon and its waterways are home to the best cruises in South America, which are a fantastic option for a family Amazon tour. Enjoy sharing exciting stories of your adventure down the Amazon and through the Amazon Rainforest for many years to come. The best cruises in the Amazon depart from either Iquitos in Peru or Manaus in Brazil. These are both port cities of the Amazon River and the gateways to the Amazon Rainforest. From these two cities, see incredible scenery and wildlife of protected areas like the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve and Anavilhanas Reserve, which are both home to a very high amount of animals and plants.
Tucano Amazon Cruise
The Tucano Cruise is a family friendly vessel you can board from Manaus in northern Brazil. On cruise you will experience the Amazon Rainforest along the Rio Negro, which is the Amazon River's largest tributary. Enjoy seeing different birds, fascinating plants like giant lilly pads, and different Amazon animals. All the cruises are family friendly, but the Tucano operate specific dates for a family focused cruise. For these dates, ask a question to the cruise directly by using the contact bubble below.
The Tucano Expedition Cruise
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Pacaya Samiria Reserve Family Cruises
The Pacaya Samiria Reserve is a fascinating flooded section of the Amazon Rainforest. Because of the flooding, different plants have adapted to deal with the abundant water, such as the camu camu. This super food, a small and tart citrus fruit with more vitamin C and medicinal properties than its weight in oranges and lemons, grows here in this reserve and there are sustainable harvesting projects to collect the fruit. Camu camu is used in a wide range of juices, desserts and other foods which you and your family are sure to experience aboard family cruises into the Pacaya. As well as comfort and gourmet cuisine, you will enjoy a variety of Amazon Rainforest life, including brick-red howler monkeys, curious squirrel and capuchin monkeys, fantastically colored parrots, interesting horned screamers, and elegant jacanas. Learn about the forest, its animals and plants, and the importance of protecting this incredible ecosystem, all while creating one of your fondest photo albums and a lifetime of fantastic memories for you and your family.
Delfin I
Taking you a little step beyond luxury, the Delfin I cruise provides only four luxurious suites (two with private whirlpool) for the most exclusive luxury cruise in South America. Floor-to-ceiling windows allow the Amazon Rainforest to decorate your suites, so you can relax in your room spotting different birds and other animals of the forest. World-class hospitality is on hand providing you gourmet cuisine, three-times daily suite service, and expertly guided tours led by some of the finest naturalist guides in the Amazon. Here you will enjoy incredible wildlife sightings. The Pacaya includes one of the world's highest levels of animal and plant life, from several different monkeys, pink river dolphins, and fantastic bird life, through to cute frogs, and giant colorful butterflies.
Delfin II
The Delfin II is a luxury Amazon Cruise vessel designed to offer a first-class experience in the world’s most wildlife-rich destination. The Delfin II features 14 large guest suites, including 4 Master Suites with 180° panoramic windows, and 10 Suites, 4 of which can be interconnected to accommodate families. In your luxurious room and ensuite, you will find the finest linens and organic amenities, wonderful rainforest views from the large picture windows, and indulgent comfort. Little touches such as all-cotton towels and bathrobes, suite decorations, and night time treats help create the epitome of calm luxury and enjoyment.
From both the Delfin I and Delfin II, enjoy day time explorations to find birds, monkeys, interesting reptiles, and different plants. You can experience kayaking the Amazon aboard modern kayaks to get up close to the forest. When night falls, we will sometimes head out on night excursions scouting for caiman crocodiles, frogs, snakes and spiders, without scaring mum. All excursions are optional, so on some trips you can simply opt to enjoy the comfort of the vessel.
For children with an interest in cooking, our delightful chefs will lead cooking classes on how to prepare a delicious regional food named Juane. This traditional favorite is made from spiced rice, chicken, egg, and a single olive wrapped together in a giant leaf.
At the end of your Delfin Cruise, we will visit the Manatee Rescue Center where you and your family can take turns feeding the manatees. These animals are part of breeding and conservation programs to recover manatee populations in this section of the Amazon.
The Delfin I
Iquitos, PeruOffering an on-board experience second to none, the Delfin I Luxury Cruise begins in Iquitos, north Peru, and takes you on a cruise of the flooded tro...
- Luxury Cruise, Pacaya Samiria
From $ 4,600
/ person
The Delfin II
Iquitos, PeruThe Delfin II Luxury Amazon Cruise begins near Iquitos from the small town of Nauta. You will be transported in our comfortable coach from Iquitos air...
- Luxury Cruise, Pacaya Samiria
From $ 3,500
/ personThe Delfin III Cruise
The The Delfin III Cruise is a luxury vessel for the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve and Tahuayo Rivers of the Iquitos Amazon Rainforest. The vessel was designed specifically for this environment and provides one of the most affordable luxury cruise experiences from Iquitos. Enjoy laying back on your comfortable bed and gazing out the large panoramic picture windows into the Pacaya Samiria Reserve. On excursions, we will venture out into the rainforest on skiffs to see many different animals and plants, such as squirrel monkeys, capuchin monkeys, parrots, herons, jacanas and fascinating reptiles.
The Delfin III
Iquitos, PeruThe Delfin III provides a luxury cruise of the Amazon River. The vessel features hardwood floors, designer furniture and is dotted with handmade P...
- Luxury Cruise, Pacaya Samiria
From $ 3,700
/ personAria Amazon Cruise
Aboard the Aria, each of the 16 luxury suites feature floor-to-ceiling windows allowing the look of the ever-changing rainforest to be the main feature in your rooms. Four of these highly comfortable suites can be interconnected for families. As an extra treat, aboard the Aria you can enjoy the outdoor jacuzzi overlooking the rainforest and river.
The Aria Amazon Cruise
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Ash
Tour Advisor at TourTheTropics.comAsh Card is a frequent visitor to the Tropics and has a passion for helping visitors get the best experiences from tropical locations. Ash is a contributor and tour advisor at TourTheTropics.com. Feel free to contact Ash for tour help in the tropics. When not helping tourists with tours and info, Ash can be found traveling, on wildlife tours or salsa dancing. Ash has completed a BSc in Biology, a Master’s degree in Zoology, and has undertaken a research scholarship at a world-class university on animal behavior. He has published scientific research in the Australian Journal of Zoology and the Journal of Behavioral Ecology. His goal is to help a global society live in balance with the natural world.