Amazon: Cruises vs. Lodges: What's Your Ideal Adventure?

Amazon: Cruises vs. Lodges: What's Your Ideal Adventure?

I've been fortunate to travel on nearly all the Amazon River cruises and also visit the best Amazonian lodges in Peru. I can say both experiences are incredible, and I could repeat them many times over without getting bored. However, they are quite different, and if you're interested in venturing into the jungle, it's essential to know what each experience offers. Here are what I believe are the main differences between both options.

Fauna and Nature

Whether on a cruise or at a Lodge in Loreto or Puerto Maldonado, the wildlife content can be spectacular, but choosing the right one is crucial. Many lodges, even with well-known brands, end up offering a variety of wildlife that might disappoint. Choose well, and you could see hundreds of exotic birds, monkeys, sloths, caimans, snakes, insects, and more. Pink dolphins can only be seen on a cruise or in a Lodge in Loreto. And the chance to see jaguars is limited to some Tambopata lodges. It's important to note that lodges in Tarapoto have a much more limited wildlife content but offer some other advantages.

Activities and Excursions

Activities on cruises and lodges include boat rides, hikes, community visits, expert talks, and daytime and nighttime wildlife sightings. Activities on cruises are structured for all passengers, meaning everyone visits the same places at the same time. However, in lodges, you can personalize activities, deciding with your guide the most suitable activities for you and your group. Both lodges and cruises offer total immersion in the jungle, where you experience nature at its fullest. However, the comfort and indulgence on cruises might make the overall intensity of the trip slightly lower. Nevertheless, no activity is mandatory, so if you prefer staying onboard or at the Lodge while others explore, you can relax and enjoy at your own pace.

Traveling as a Couple, with Friends, and with Family (with young children)

Traveling as a couple or with groups of friends can be very special on cruises and lodges. On cruises, everyone ends up becoming friends with each other since they spend a lot of time together during activities, meals, and shared spaces, which are less spacious compared to lodge areas. Therefore, if you travel on an Amazon cruise, you might end up meeting an English family who brought their kids to Peru and might become your business partners. However, if you plan to travel with young children under 6 years old, cruises might not be the best option. Firstly, young children may inconvenience other passengers, especially in a confined environment. Additionally, a ship poses certain risks for young children, such as steep stairs and railings overlooking the river. If you're traveling with kids on a cruise, you must be very attentive to their safety and sign a liability waiver beforehand. In contrast, lodges are entirely flexible and accommodating for families with young children. With more spacious accommodations and kid-friendly activities, lodges offer a family-friendly atmosphere that allows the little ones to enjoy and immerse themselves in nature safely. Some Amazon cruises have small pools or jacuzzis on their upper deck, which can be appreciated by everyone. Lodges, however, don't have pools as they are not resorts but focus on providing nature experiences. Out of the lodges we recommend, only one has a great pool that can be ideal for families with children.

Comfort, Infrastructure, and Internet

The experience aboard a cruise offers comfortable rooms, quality services, and a feeling of a floating hotel. They include air conditioning, which is highly appreciated by many. On the other hand, lodges present a more rustic yet cozy environment that connects you more intimately with the jungle. Heat, as well as rain, are part of the Amazonian destinations, and one learns to enjoy them. A very common question pertains to the internet. In general, internet access on cruises is very limited. They don't have Wi-Fi, and the cellular signal from well-known Peruvian providers is practically nonexistent. Bitel is the operator with the widest coverage, so you can get a Bitel SIM card if you want a bit more internet access. Lodges have much more available internet access (Wi-Fi), but the quality depends on weather conditions. Overall, if you need to stay connected to the office during your vacation, it might be better to choose another destination.

Cuisine

Cruises offer a variety of international and local dishes, blending flavors from different cultures with a sophisticated and top-notch experience. In contrast, lodges offer a more authentic gastronomy, usually in buffet format, with fresh local ingredients, allowing you to savor the essence of Amazonian cuisine, which is delightful.

"I don't like bugs"

I've heard that phrase too many times, and its derivative: "My wife doesn't like bugs." In general, nobody likes to coexist with bugs. If we choose the right product, bugs will have minimal prominence during your jungle trip. When sleeping, cruises have practically air-tight rooms with air conditioning, while lodges have mosquito nets surrounding your bed, preventing bugs from joining you. During activities and excursions, we wear suitable clothing with long sleeves, but mainly we use repellent before going out, which keeps bugs away. If you want additional care, bring a DEET-based repellent.

Prices

Amazon cruises tend to be more expensive compared to lodges. This price difference is justified by the comforts they offer, making your trip a more exclusive and luxurious experience. On the other hand, lodges are more accessible in terms of prices but always offer an authentic and special adventure. Nevertheless, at Kamú, we have access to exceptional prices for Peruvians on various cruises. They're so good that we can't openly publish them, so contact us at hola@kamu.uno for more information.

Availability and Trip Duration

Cruises offer trips of 3 or 4 nights, and each cruise starts on a specific day of the week. In contrast, lodges allow you to stay, if you wish, for a minimum of two nights and you can arrive any day of the week, offering greater flexibility when booking. However, my recommendation is that if you go to a lodge, don't stay less than three nights. In general, Amazon cruises have few rooms, so booking in advance is essential. On the other hand, lodges usually have greater availability and flexibility for reservations, although it is also recommended to make them in advance, especially for travel during school holidays and other peak demand periods.

Access

To board cruises that go through the Amazon, you first need to fly to Iquitos. From there, there is usually a land transfer to Nauta, which is about 90 minutes away. There we board. To reach the lodge in Pacaya-Samiria, we fly to Iquitos and then have a combined land and river transfer, which takes about three hours in total. The lodges in Puerto Maldonado / Tambopata that I recommend most require a flight to Puerto Maldonado, from Lima or Cusco, and then a combination of approximately three hours, by land and river, until we reach our Lodge. Lodges in Tarapoto do not have river transportation, only land, and are accessed more quickly after flying to Tarapoto. For this reason, Tarapoto lodges work very well for those looking for a quick weekend getaway.

Conclusion

While both Amazon cruises and Amazonian lodges offer amazing experiences in the Amazon rainforest, the best option for you will depend on your preferences and those who will accompany you on this trip. Visit our website at https://www.kamu.uno or reach us at hola@kamu.uno if you want us to help you organize your future trip to the jungle, or another place recommended by Kamú"