FAQ
Click for frequent questions
about Tucano.
Weather
& when to visit
These trips take place in about the center of the Brazilian
Amazon, within two degrees of the Equator. Because of
its proximity to the equator, the temperatures are warm
year round. The most important season differences are
the rainy and dry season. High altitude winds during
the rainy season draw moisture from the Caribbean and
distribute it in the form of rain over central Amazonia.
Central Amazonia receives much less rainfall than either
the eastern coastal rainforests or the Andean forests
to the west. In the rainy season which roughly runs
from mid-December to mid-May, the temperature is a bit
cooler than the June-December dry season, though overall
there is only a five degree average temperature difference
between months.
The average daytime temperature in the rainy season
is usually in the mid-80s (°F) with night-time lows
in the mid 70's to high 60's. In the dry season the
daytime temperature can go up to the mid-90's though
there is much variability and cool days are common.
Nighttime temperatures during the dry season are usually
in the mid-70's, though there are also some very cool
nights.
Visiting
in the rainy season: Even though it does rain
more this time of year, it is also true that many plants
have evolved to fruit and flower during the rainy season
which attracts birds and primates to the water's edge
for us to observe. Our expedition boat The Motor Yacht
Tucano is very comfortable and will keep us dry. The
gigantic thunderstorms are a great pleasure to observe
from the windows of the salon.
Visiting
in the dry season: The dry season has some
advantages too. The weather is dryer but more importantly,
the lower water attracts some kinds of creatures that
are not as commonly observed in the rainy season. The
dry season is a time when the levels of most of of the
rivers in central Amazonia begin to drop, showing sanding
beaches. This is a time of beach nesting birds like
Black Skimmers and various Terns, and also the time
when turtles nest. When the waters are at their most
shallow, in November through January, it is sometimes
possible to see millions upon millions of migratory
fish in the shallows laying eggs. These fish attract
every type of tropical fishing bird including large
storks and spoonbills. The Amazon's crocadillians, Caimen
are also much in evidence as they nest in the dry season
to take advantage of the abundance of fish.
So,
when is the best time to travel? In the final
analysis, the best time to travel is whenever your schedule
permits. There are always interesting creatures to see
in the Amazon and it will be an enjoyable experience
whenever you choose to travel. The real keys to success
in observing wildlife are that you visit natural areas
away from settlement, that the guides are both skillful
and focused, that you commit enough of your time so
that you have opportunity to see a variety of habitats,
and last but no means least, if you the traveler are
persistent in looking for the creatures. On the Motor
Yacht Tucano the team does everything possible to increase
opportunity to observe wildlife, so that the trip Heart
of Amazonia is interesting whichever time of year you
choose to travel.
