Choose from 6 Fun Things to Do in Iquitos
ShowingFilter 1-6 of 6 listings.
Manatee Rescue Center
This Peruvian Amazon establishment is a haven for orphaned and injured manatees. Established in 2007 and run by the Institute for the Investigation of the Peruvian Amazon (IIAP) in partnership with the Dallas Aquarium, the Manatee Rescue Center educates visitors and allows for interaction with these endangered animals.
Visitors can see rescued adult and baby manatees in natural pools and witness their rehabilitation. It is also possible to volunteer with the center and even bottle feed a baby manatee. The staff members take great care to teach about the importance of preserving the species and the present dangers to their habitat, as many local manatees are poached and babies captured to be sold as sold as pets, often with a high mortality rate. Tours are conducted in both English and Spanish.
Practical Info
The Manatee Rescue Center is located at Km 4.5 on the road to Nauta. A taxi from downtown costs about 15 Peruvian soles. It is open from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 2 to 4 pm.
Address: Malecon, Iquitos, Peru
Hours: 9:30 am-12:30 pm, 2-4 p.m.
Admission: S/5.00 (Peruvian soles)
From $ 7
Belen
Some call this unusual neighborhood of 74,000 the “Venice of the Amazon,” which is more than a little misleading. The famed “floating barrio” is quite poor, and would be considered a shantytown on dry land. Nevertheless, the fact that the modest thatch-roofed homes, restaurants and bars rise and fall with the river, atop balsawood “foundations,” make Belen one of Iquitos’ top tourist attractions.
Hire a canoe and guide to take you through the canals, past homes, businesses, schools and churches gently rocking atop the water. A sturdier city center rises on stilts from dry land (during dry season, anyway). There, you can visit the famed Belen Street Market on Pasaje Paquito, known for herbal medicines and healing elixirs, made with natural rainforest products, that are brought in daily from more than 150 native communities upriver.
After shopping for unusual fruits, fish and more, you’ll head back onto the water. Several floating restaurants cater to tourists with fresh fish dishes and cold beer, perfect after a day of exploring. Remember that this is a very poor neighborhood, so leave your valuables at the hotel and be alert for pickpockets and petty thieves, particularly at the market.
Address: Iquitos, Peru
From $ 210
Pacaya Samiria National Reserve
Peru’s largest and most important protected area is the massive Reserva Nacional Pacaya Samiria, a vast 2.08 million hectare (8,030 square miles; roughly the size of New Jersey or El Salvador) swath of pristine rainforest threaded with endless waterways. The two most important, forming the borders of the roughly triangular reserve, are Maranon and Ucayali Rivers.
Where Pacaya Samiria narrows to a point, at their celebrated confluence, the official birthplace of the mighty Amazon. Climb the viewing tower for the iconic photo. Visitors to the reserve must come with a guided tour.
The Pacaya Samiria begins about 183km (114mi) south of Iquitos, a trip that can be done entirely on the water, or more quickly (if less scenically) by driving along the 90km (56mi) Iquitos–Nauta Highway, to the Port of Nauta. Scores of different tours are on offer, following the Maranon, Ucayali, and other assorted waterways through the thick vegetation and canyons, such as the smaller Yanayacu River, recently opened to tourism.
The sweeping majesty of this oft-flooded rainforest is home pink and gray river dolphins, 13 primates, sloths, manatees, black caimans, tapirs, and more than 500 colorful bird species that have been officially recorded, including macaws, jacanas, parakeets, hawks, and several different kingfishers (themselves taking advantage of almost 300 species of fish).
There are also dozens of indigenous communities located in and around the reserve; most tours stop in at least one, allowing you to meet and greet the locals, and perhaps indulge yourself with some seed jewelry to take home. While many travelers make this a day trip, there are encampments and lodges where you can arrange to spend the night.
Address: Iquitos, Peru
Admission: $20 USD for unlimited stay
From $ 289
Amazon River
The mighty Amazon River and its enormous, thickly forested basin are the heart of South America and the guardian of 20 percent of the Earth’s fresh water. Visitors from around the globe come to Iquitos to cruise the river’s storied waters and catch a glimpse of diverse fauna both above and below the surface.
The Basics
While there are several ways to experience the Amazon and its unparalleled biodiversity, most travelers opt for a boat trip along the basin’s famous river. Cruises generally last three to four days and run through the heart of the Peruvian Amazon, offering the chance to explore on guided walks through the rain forest, take motorboat tours of the tributaries, go piranha fishing, or simply enjoy the scenery from the deck of your cruise ship. Those who prefer to spend more time on dry land can opt for a multi-day jungle adventure, which may include a short boat trip on the Amazon as well as jungle treks, night walks, and the opportunity to spot wild pink river dolphins.
Things to Know Before You Go
- The Amazon River is a must-see for adventure travelers and nature lovers.
- Remember to bring insect repellent to protect yourself against mosquitos.
- It’s a good idea to pack comfortable walking shoes, a wide-brimmed hat, and lightweight clothing such as quick-drying pants and long-sleeved shirts.
- Drink plenty of water; it’s always hot and muggy in the Amazon jungle.
How to Get There
Most Amazon River cruises and excursions in Peru depart from the town of Iquitos. The port city is only reachable by plane or by boat, with numerous flights daily from Lima.
When to Get There
With only a 10 percent difference in rainfall between the Amazon basin’s wet and dry season, there isn’t really a bad time to visit. Temperatures are generally cooler during the high-water season (November to May). December, June, and August tend to see the most visitors.
Photographing Wildlife on the Amazon
The Peruvian Amazon ranks among the best places on the planet to capture photos of animal species such as monkeys, birds, iguanas, pink dolphins, and even the occasional jaguar. To maximize your chances of getting great shots, bring along a DSLR camera with a long lens of at least 300 millimeters and as low an f-stop as you can afford. Don’t forget extra batteries and SD cards.
Address: Iquitos, Peru
From $ 215
Nanay River
The Rio Nanay undulates along the northern border of the city, a slow and interesting tributary of the Amazon that plays hosts several interesting cruises from Iquitos. The almost sensual curves of the river create beautiful white-sand beaches when the water is low, and crystal clear. These are popular day-trips for locals during dry season, though most travelers head further upriver, into the wilderness, often visiting small Yagua, Bora and Mestizo communities, such as Santo Tomás, Padre Cocha and Santa Clara, along the way.
While most Nanay tours are day trips, there are a handful of lodges scattered around the rainforest, offering adventurous travelers the opportunity to stay in remote villages and really get a feel for life on the Amazon.
Or, travelers could continue on to the region’s newest conservation area, Reserva Nacional Alpahuayo Mishana. The 57,600-hectare (222-square mile) reserve, created in 2008, is located about 23km (14mi) south of Iquitos. The rare white-sand rainforest is famed for its remarkable biodiversity of trees (perhaps the highest in the world) and offers hiking trails, isolated lakes and much more to explore. It is even less traveled than the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, and visitors have discovered six entirely new species of bird in recent years.
Address: Iquitos, Peru
From $ 262
Peruvian Amazon
The sprawling Peruvian Amazon covers more land than most people think, making up over half of Peru and running from east of the Andes Mountain all the way to the borders of Brazil, Bolivia, Ecuador, and Colombia. With rain forest activities to embark on (think riverboat adventures, nature treks, and canoe trips) and tons of exotic wildlife to see, there are dozens of reasons to venture into the Amazon jungle on an adventure tour.
The Basics
A vast wilderness of lush rain forest and indigenous lands, the Amazon is an ideal destination for adventurous travelers who like to explore nature, often for days at a time. The area is most often visited on a multi-day Amazon cruise that takes visitors into some of South America’s greatest wilderness, or on a three- or four-day tour that includes overnight stays at a jungle eco lodge and a short trip down the river. Airport transport and an expert guide are often included.
What to Do and See in the Peruvian Amazon
Many multi-day tours from Iquitos offer adventures into the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve and river activities such as canoeing, piranha fishing, and swimming alongside pink river dolphins or giant otters. Travelers to the southern region can embark on guided hikes through Bahuaja-Sonene National Park, the Tambopata National Reserve, or the UNESCO-listed Manu National Park. The Amazon is also prime ground for wildlife spotting—expect to see a colorful array of bird life and everything from howler monkeys to tapir prowling through the jungle.
Things to Know Before You Go
Here are just a few things you’ll want to keep in mind.
- Although dry season (May to October) is known as the best time to visit the jungle due to fewer rainy days, the rain forest is warm year round. Expect high humidity levels.
- Before visiting the Amazon Basin, check with your doctor about possible recommended vaccinations.
- Guided jungle tours are recommended, as tours guides are knowledgeable when it comes to navigation, general safety, and the local tribes.
- You’re going to want to carry insect repellent.
How to Get There
The northern town of Iquitos serves as the most popular gateway into the Peruvian rain forest thanks to its proximity to the mighty Amazon River. Tours are also available from Puerto Maldonado, a city set in the south on the Madre de Dios River tributary. Shorter single-day Amazon tours may depart from Chachapoyas and Oxapampa, while some longer comprehensive Peru tours start in Lima and guide visitors through the Amazon to Cusco, the Inca Trail, and Machu Picchu.
Address: Amazon, Peru
From $ 250