The Best South America River Cruises
Matching travelers to rivers, from jaguars to colonial towns.
Get Free South America River Cruise QuotesThe best South America river cruises are the ones that match what you want to see. Here is how we would match travelers to rivers.
Our Picks by Traveler Type
| If you want… | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| The classic rainforest cruise | Peruvian Amazon from Iquitos | Small expedition ships, a protected reserve, skiff trips every day |
| Huge rivers and black water | Brazilian Amazon from Manaus | Rio Negro, Anavilhanas islands, fewer insects |
| Jaguars | The Pantanal | The most reliable jaguar viewing in the Americas, by boat |
| Culture, music and colonial towns | The Magdalena, Colombia | A week between Barranquilla and Cartagena via Mompox |
| Big-ship comfort | An ocean voyage to Manaus | Caribbean and Amazon in one trip |
| Something brand new | CroisiEurope’s Brasilian Dream (from 2027) | A new river ship based in Manaus |
The Magdalena: South America’s Newest River Cruise
The Magdalena is Colombia’s main river, running north to the Caribbean. AmaWaterways introduced the 60-guest AmaMagdalena there, sailing seven-night cruises between Barranquilla and Cartagena in both directions. The route takes in Mompox (Santa Cruz de Mompox), a UNESCO-listed colonial river town, along with villages known for crafts and music, and Cartagena’s walled old city at one end. It is a culture trip more than a wildlife trip, and it pairs well with time in Bogota or the coffee region.
Questions to Ask Before You Choose
- How many guests does the vessel carry, and how many per skiff?
- Are excursions, drinks and gratuities included?
- Which months, and is that high water or low water?
- What vaccinations and health precautions apply to the route?
- How do I get from the international airport to the ship?
Choosing Questions
What is the best South America river cruise for wildlife?
For jaguars, the Pantanal. For the classic rainforest experience with monkeys, pink dolphins and birds, a small expedition ship in Peru’s Pacaya-Samiria reserve or on the Brazilian Rio Negro.
What is the best South America river cruise for culture?
Colombia’s Magdalena: AmaWaterways’ AmaMagdalena sails a week between Barranquilla and Cartagena, calling at the colonial town of Mompox and small river villages.
Combining Rivers in One Trip
South America is big, and flights between regions can take most of a day, but several combinations work well. Manaus and the Pantanal connect through Brazilian hubs, so a week on the Amazon and a few days of jaguar watching fit into two weeks. Peru’s Amazon pairs naturally with Machu Picchu and Cusco. The Magdalena combines with Bogota, Medellin or the coffee region. And an ocean voyage to Manaus can be followed by a few nights on a small river boat to reach the narrower channels the big ship cannot.
Find Your Best South America River Cruise
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