The Amazon carries a greater volume of water than any other river in the world and drains a vast region that starts in the Andes, only 100 miles from the Pacific Ocean, and flows to the Atlantic Ocean. Its banks abound with tropical jungle and wildlife. The Lower and Central sections of the Amazon are treated as Ocean cruises on this site, but the Upper Amazon River is navigable to Riverboats from where it crosses the Colombian border at Leticia into Peru. Lower Amazon and Delta
The Amazon is so wide in this section of the river that cruising is done on ocean liners and you should explore our ocean cruising site to find cruises on this section. The Amazon enters the Atlantic through a 150 mile wide estuary, containing a maze of islands separating the river into branches.
Central Amazon
The Central Amazon River starts at Manaus, 1000 miles from the sea, and continues upstream another 1000 miles to Leticia on the Colombian border. Westwards after Manaus, the character of the river changes as the Amazon narrows, bringing its densely forested banks dramatically closer to the decks.
Upper Amazon
The Upper Amazon River roughly starts where it crosses the Colombian border at Leticia and then the Peruvian border to its source high in the Andes. It is navigable for ocean going vessels as far as Iquitos in Peru having passed the town of Pevas. Travelling between Leticia and Pevas, the Amazon becomes narrower still with its densely forested banks even closer to the decks.
