The frontier between Brazil and Peru offers a direct path from the Atlantic to the Pacific, a concept fully realized by the completion of the Interoceanic Highway. This ambitious road project carves through the Amazon rainforest, representing a modern connection in a region that was historically linked only by slow-moving riverboats. This highway has fundamentally changed the way people and goods move across this part of the continent. There are two official land crossings you can use. The primary one is the Brazil-Peru Integration Bridge, which spans the Acre River and connects the Brazilian town of Assis Brasil with Iñapari in Peru. This is the main artery of the Interoceanic Highway and the route most travelers will use.
A much more remote and less-traveled option exists further north, where you can cross the Amazon River by boat from the small Brazilian outpost of Benjamin Constant to the Peruvian island of Islandia. This riverine route is for those seeking a deeper immersion into the Amazonian way of life. When driving the highway, especially on the Peruvian side as you ascend into the Andes, you must be mindful of the mountainous terrain. The road can be winding, and there is always the potential for landslides, particularly during the rainy season from November to April. Always check conditions locally before undertaking long stretches of the drive.