Iquitos, Peru: travel guide
The largest city on earth unreachable by road — a steamy Amazon river-port and the main gateway to jungle lodges, river cruises and wildlife on the upper Amazon.
- Country
- Peru
- Currency
- PEN
- Time zone
- America/Lima
- Nearest airport
- IQT
Top places to visit in Iquitos
Casa de Fierro (Iron House)
Heritage · 4.0 rating · about 0.3 h
The Iron House on the Plaza de Armas, a prefabricated metal building attributed to Gustave Eiffel's workshop and shipped here during the rubber boom. A landmark of Iquitos's belle-époque wealth.
Belén Market
Market · 4.3 rating · about 1.5 h
Iquitos's sprawling, chaotic riverside market in the Belén district selling Amazonian fish, exotic fruits, jungle game meat, and the notorious Pasaje Paquito row of herbal remedies and shamanic potions. Raucous and authentic — go with a…
Belén Floating District
Heritage · 4.2 rating · about 1.5 h
The "Venice of the Amazon" — a neighbourhood of wooden stilt and floating houses on the Itaya River that rise and fall with the seasonal flood. Best seen by canoe (peque-peque) during high-water months.
Plaza de Armas
Heritage · 4.1 rating · about 0.5 h
The main square of Iquitos, ringed by the cathedral, rubber-era mansions and the Iron House. The social heart of the city, lively in the evenings.
Malecón Tarapacá
Viewpoint · 4.4 rating · about 0.7 h
Iquitos's riverfront boardwalk lined with rubber-boom mansions decorated in Portuguese azulejo tiles, bars, restaurants and viewpoints over the Itaya/Amazon. The promenade comes alive at sunset.
Amazon Rescue Center (Manatee Rescue Center)
Wildlife · 4.6 rating · about 1.3 h · entry PEN 30
CREA conservation centre on the Iquitos–Nauta road that rehabilitates orphaned Amazonian manatees, plus river otters, sloths and turtles, for eventual release. Visitors can learn about and sometimes help feed the manatees.
Quistococha Lagoon & Zoo
Nature · 4.0 rating · about 2 h · entry PEN 10
A recreational park on the Iquitos–Nauta highway with a black-water lagoon, an artificial white-sand beach (Playa Tunchi) and a zoo of native Amazon species including jaguars, tapirs and giant otters. A favourite weekend escape for locals.
Pilpintuwasi Butterfly Farm & Animal Orphanage
Wildlife · 4.5 rating · about 1.5 h · entry PEN 30
Across the river in Padre Cocha village, a butterfly farm and rescue sanctuary home to rehabilitated monkeys, a jaguar, tapir, manatee and an anteater. Reached by motorboat from Bellavista-Nanay port.
Plaza 28 de Julio
Heritage · 3.8 rating · about 0.3 h
A leafy local square south of the centre, quieter than the Plaza de Armas, surrounded by everyday Iquitos life.
Iglesia Matriz (Cathedral of Iquitos)
Church · 3.9 rating · about 0.3 h
The neo-Gothic Catholic cathedral on the Plaza de Armas, built in the early 20th century during the rubber boom, with a clock tower that is a city landmark.
Nanay River & Bellavista Beach
Nature · 3.9 rating · about 1 h
The Bellavista-Nanay riverside port and seasonal sandy beaches on the Nanay River, departure point for boats to Padre Cocha and nearby villages, lined with fish restaurants.
Museo Amazónico
Museum · 3.8 rating · about 0.8 h · entry PEN 10
Housed in a restored rubber-boom mansion on the Malecón, this museum displays fibreglass life-casts of Amazonian indigenous peoples and regional history exhibits.
Things to do
- 2-Day Amazon Jungle Lodge Stay Nature · 48 h · from PEN 650 per person
- Pink River Dolphin & Monkey Island Day Trip Boat · 8 h · from PEN 280 per person
- Belén Market & City Tour Cultural · 3 h · from PEN 90 per person
- Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve Expedition Nature · 72 h · from PEN 1,450 per person
- Pilpintuwasi Butterfly Farm Half-Day Tour Wildlife · 4 h · from PEN 110 per person
- Amazonian Cooking & Jungle-Fruit Experience Cooking Class · 3 h · from PEN 130 per person
- Sunset Amazon River Boat Cruise Boat · 2.5 h · from PEN 120 per person
Day trips and tours
- Iquitos City & Belén Market Tour 4 h · from PEN 90
- Pink Dolphins, Monkey Island & Native Community 8 h · from PEN 290
- Quistococha & Amazon Rescue Center Day Out 6 h · from PEN 160
Where to stay in Iquitos
- Plaza de Armas / Centro about PEN 50 per night
Iquitos' riverfront centre near the Malecón Tarapoto boardwalk, restaurants and tour offices.
Hotels
- Hospedaje La Pascana 2-star · PEN 70 to PEN 120 per night
- DoubleTree by Hilton Iquitos 4-star · PEN 420 to PEN 750 per night
- Hotel Marañón 3-star · PEN 160 to PEN 240 per night
- Hotel Casa Morey 4-star · PEN 280 to PEN 460 per night
- Nativa Apartments 3-star · PEN 150 to PEN 260 per night
- Flying Dog Hostel Iquitos 2-star · PEN 35 to PEN 130 per night
Where to eat
- Al Frío y al Fuego Amazonian, Peruvian, Seafood · about PEN 95 per person
- Dawn on the Amazon Café Amazonian, International, Peruvian · about PEN 45 per person
- Amazon Bistro International, French, Peruvian · about PEN 50 per person
- Fitzcarraldo Restaurant Bar Peruvian, Amazonian, International · about PEN 45 per person
- Karma Café Café, Fusion, Vegetarian · about PEN 35 per person
- Antica Pizzería Italian, Pizza · about PEN 45 per person
- Huasai Amazonian, Peruvian · about PEN 30 per person
- La Gran Maloca Amazonian, Peruvian · about PEN 55 per person
Getting around
- Boat main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Taxi main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Tricycle main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking
Every city has walking. 2.5 km ceiling is a placeholder default, not a researched per-city figure -- Singapore is sheltered and air-conditioned, Bangkok often has no pavement.
Safety and scams to avoid
Fake jungle-tour guides at airport and port
Iquitos airport arrivals, Plaza de Armas, river ports
Touts ("jaladores") approach arriving tourists posing as guides or lodge reps, take a deposit for a jungle tour or cruise, then deliver a substandard trip or vanish. Some impersonate well-known lodges.
How to avoid it: Book only with established, reviewed operators directly at their office or online. Never pay a full deposit to a stranger on the street; verify the company name and address.
Illegal animal-selfie operators
Plaza de Armas, Malecón, monkey-island tours
Vendors and some boat operators offer photos holding sloths, monkeys, anacondas or baby caimans for a fee. The animals are taken illegally from the wild, often die quickly, and the trade is illegal.
How to avoid it: Refuse all paid animal-handling photos and report operators. Choose tours visiting genuine rescue/rehabilitation centres only.
Overpriced or fake lodge bookings
Online and street agents
Travellers are sold "all-inclusive" jungle lodge packages at inflated prices, or for lodges that do not match the advertised photos and amenities. Pressure tactics push immediate cash payment.
How to avoid it: Compare prices, read recent independent reviews, and confirm exactly what is included in writing. Avoid cash-only deals with no receipt.
Mototaxi (motocarro) overcharging
Citywide, airport runs
Drivers quote inflated fares to tourists or claim no change, especially from the airport or at night. No meters are used.
How to avoid it: Agree the fare before boarding, ask locals or your hotel the going rate, and carry small bills. A short central ride is only a few soles.
Ayahuasca / shaman retreat fraud
Belén Market herbal row, retreat touts
Unqualified or fake "shamans" run unsafe ayahuasca ceremonies; there have been reports of theft, assault and serious health incidents at unvetted retreats.
How to avoid it: Only attend ceremonies at long-established, well-reviewed centres with proper screening and a sober facilitator. Never go alone to an unknown location.