Is The Amazon Dangerous for Tourists? Reflections on my time in the mighty Amazon rainforest to help you prepare for your own adventure.
Visiting the Amazon, perhaps the most biodiverse place on the planet is high on the list of backpackers, explorers and holiday makers alike. 'The lungs of the earth cover over 6 million square kilo meters, have over 400 indigenous groups, and around 10% of earths animal species.
In this post I want to cover my mental state when entering the Amazon Rainforest, when starting to dose malaria pills in Colombia, there were a number of moments when I though, 'am I putting myself in unnecessary?'. It would turn out the, fear would be unfounded, but I am hoping by reading my fears, some of your own may disperse. Lets go into the rainforest.
I always imagined entering the Amazon from Brazil, not Colombia but during my trip from Mexico to Peru, the question, "Are you going into the Amazon?" Started being asked by fellow travellers. The Amazon has always been high on my places to visit, but not as a solo traveler/ backpacker, I always felt being with a group would be a far safer way to explore the rainforest!
For reference, at the time I was a 33 year old male from the UK and I flew into Leticia in Colombia for my Amazon adventure. Thats me over there > hello 👋🏻, that photo is from my Amazon trip taken at one of the stopping points during a 4 day 3 night tour. Yes this gorgeous little hut is deep in the Amazon rainforest nestled next to the Gamboa community.
There are always reasons at any travel destination but it all felt heightened. In my defence, at the time there were a few reasons for this heightened state of questioning if I was doing the right thing, so lets explore those and I will do a reality comparison of each point.
🛶 Problem 01 - The Murder of Experienced Individuals
🏛️ Problem 02 - Political Uprising
🔫 Problem 03 - The Murder of Fellow Travellers
🚪 Problem 04 - Where is the Exit?
🦟 Problem 05 - Medical Issues
-- So Is The Amazon Dangerous? --
Its a bit of yes, and a bit of no! Generally it is safe to roam around the towns like Leticia during the day, at night you need to be cautious. Cautious of humans up to no good, but also cautious of mosquitos. Whilst you can do everything possible to protect yourself it takes just one bite to end up with Dengue. I went to the Amazon as a person 'who gets bit a lot' but walked out of the rainforest with remarkably few bites. I like to think this is because I was very sensible with my clothing and regularly topped up my repellent, but I could have just been lucky!
The guides are the real safety guards for the amazon rainforest. Book onto an excursion with a reputable tour guide and these people will keep you safe. Combine good and responsible personal preparation with a great tour group and the reward its an experience you simply cannot have anywhere else in the world!
The Amazon rainforest sits in my mind like a stress ball for my mental health. I can take myself back there, to the early mornings sitting on a boat watching the sun rise and reflect across the water as the wildlife swims, climbs and flys all around you. When feeling blue I am able to take myself back to the sunrise and sunsets of the Amazon rainforest.
To experience the Amazon rainforest is to truly connect to planet earth in the most extraordinary way. If you want to know more about what an excursion in the Amazon rainforest is like then read my blog:
-- Return to Leticia; A Once in a Lifetime Moment --
On the evening of Pedros win and my return to Leticia, I was able to meet a friend and go to the top of the church. This is a viewing point and accessible for a small fee. Here we watched the sunset as thousands of Parakeets returned to Leticia, a daily phenomenon that I was unaware of until being amongst it. At the same time victory parades were taking place creating the most surreal end to a wonderful passage of time. If you want a little feel of the noises and sights of election night in Letica check out the video below (prepare for a lot of scooter horns).
For the intelligent explorer
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