Iquitos Travel Guide

  Bird
by amyharmony
 
  • Bird
      Bird
    by amyharmony
  • Dock at Tapiche Ohara
      Dock at Tapiche Ohara
    by amyharmony
  • Insect with many legs
      Insect with many legs
    by amyharmony
  • Arrival at Lodge
      Arrival at Lodge
    by bill32
  • Bungalows at the lodge.
      Bungalows at the lodge.
    by bill32
 

Pro

willy_wonka profile photo

 heat, jungle trips, amazing wildlife and fauna, great fresh food! 


Con

Austinsnow profile photo

 a little noisy, can be hot 


In a nutshell

utttz profile photo

 just a herzog's place 

 

Explore Iquitos

Things to Do  

Deep Jungle Trip up the Tapiche River

Deep Jungle Trip up the Tapiche River, Iquitos

 amyharmony Says:  New in 2011. There is a new destination deep in the Amazon, 340km up river from Iquitos, Peru called Tapiche Ohara's Reserve. I went there in May 2011 and found it to be way off the beaten track in terms of typical jungle tour locations. It takes a day to get there from... 

Jungletravel in iquitos for all kind of people

Jungletravel in iquitos for all kind of people, Iquitos

 iquitoslover Says:  Iquitos the city that lay on a island in the middl of the jungle. You can reach it by plain, 1.5 hour from Lima or by boat from Tarapoto or Pucalpa that taks 3 to 5 days.In the city you can arrange your own trip to the jungle or by internet. You can make a expencife trip to... 

Jungletravel around Iquitos

Jungletravel around Iquitos, Iquitos

 iquitoslover Says:  Iquitos the city that lay on a island in the middl of the jungle. You can reach it by plain, 1.5 hour from Lima or by boat from Tarapoto or Pucalpa that taks 3 to 5 days.In the city you can arrange your own trip to the jungle or by internet. You can make a expencife trip to... 

Bird watching Birding Iquitos Guide

Bird watching Birding Iquitos Guide, Iquitos

 vdeva Says:  I did do a day trip into the jungle outside Iquitos with Walter Soplin Culqui at wacho@lycos.com cell: 965303113 Walter speaks English quite well. We went on an Iquitos city bus on the road toward Nahua to the Alpahuayo National Reserve. Walter is a talented and enthusiastic... 

One of the best jungle adventures

One of the best jungle adventures, Iquitos

 vdeva Says:  If you are in Iquitos take the time to visit Padre Cocha and the Butterfly Farm. The amazon animal orphanage and Pilpintuwasi butterfly farm was an amazing experience for us. We had the tour by the founder, Gudrun Sperrer which just made a fascinating time for us. She told... 

Hotels  

Victoria Regia

 1 Review and 48 Opinions  Nice staff, good service, you can eat here or just on the other side of the street (se tip). Air... 

Amazon Apart Hotel

 37 Opinions

Restaurants  

Yellow Rose of Texas: Best Gator Ever

Yellow Rose of Texas: Best Gator Ever, Iquitos

 thebeatsurrender Says:  I really liked this place-- good food, convenient location, helpful patrons, friendly service and booze. Apparently, it serves American food, but my eye went straight to the list of specials on the wall, where they list a plethora of yummy local foods, including fresh fish... 

Yellow Rose of Texas: Local and American food and advice

Yellow Rose of Texas: Local and American food and advice, Iquitos

 tbeddoes Says:  Food is good and plentiful, except for the sandwiches which could do with a bit more meat on 'em.Gerald, the owner, knows all about the area. Yellow Rose Breakfast, don't be shy - if you can't finish it, that's o.k. 

Nightlife  

Amazon river: Real night "life"

Amazon river: Real night "life", Iquitos

 kzapanta Says:  Ok, so there won't be any neon lights, and the bar selection is not as extensive as in Las Vegas, and the opposite sex selection is not so good too, but the nightlife in the Amazon is one of a kind!We went on our private boat in the middle of the night to tour the Amazon... 

Transportation  

tricycle ride around the city

tricycle ride around the city, Iquitos

 kzapanta Says:  Iquitos is large well developed city. There are every kind of vehicle like a normal city which is a puzzle because its an isolated city. Modified motorcycles like the tut-tuts is the best way to move around the city to do a tour. Even with luggage you can fit 3 people in the... 

tricycle ride around the city

tricycle ride around the city, Iquitos

 kzapanta Says:  Iquitos is large well developed city. There are every kind of vehicle like a normal city which is a puzzle because its an isolated city. Modified motorcycles like the tut-tuts is the best way to move around the city to do a tour. Even with luggage you can fit 3 people in the... 

Shopping  

riverside streets: Farmers Market

riverside streets: Farmers Market, Iquitos

 kzapanta Says:  The local Farmers Market/Goods Market is near the Amazon river docks. If you see the pink dolphin statue, you are near by. Its a network of about 7 different streets that sell home goods, clothing, tools, fuits, vegs., meats and anything in between. You can get some good... 

Local Customs  

Friendly children at river towns

Friendly children at river towns, Iquitos

 kzapanta Says:  Whichever Amazon lodge you will be staying with, you will end up stoping at a one or a few of the many river villages near Iquitos for supplies or just some walking around.The villagers are very nice and friendly. But make sure you don't start walking around and start giving... 

Warnings and Dangers  

Mosquitos

Mosquitos, Iquitos

 thebeatsurrender Says:  The buzz of mosquitos at dawn in the jungle is a pretty scary thing, especially when you look up into the mosquito net and realize they are swarmed all above you in an uncountable mass. Despite coating myself in two types of DEET ridden repellant, I came home with 25... 

Pickpockets and petty crime

Pickpockets and petty crime, Iquitos

 Texas_Phil Says:  I've been told by many that petty crime is the only problem in Iquitos. I am used to being very careful when traveling anywhere -- minimal cash stored in a zippered or sealable pocket in the front of my pants, no jewelry, and constantly aware of my surroundings -- and have... 

Tourist Traps  

Swarmed by hotel and taxi callers

Swarmed by hotel and taxi callers, Iquitos

 kzapanta Says:  Once you get your luggage and walk outside the airport, and even in the baggage terminal, you will be bombarded by taxi drivers and sales pitches to lodges, hotels and everything in between. Just be ready for it, they are very nice and helpful but persistent. It helps to... 

What to Pack  

Quick drying clothes a must!
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2.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

Texas_Phil 5 reviews

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Bring lightweight, light-colored, quick-drying clothes. You will sweat and sweat and sweat in Iquitos. Taking 2-3 showers a day (or more) is normal, but keep in mind that everyone is the same so being sweaty is normal. I wouldn't even think about wearing jeans unless they are VERY lightweight.

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: Any extra Cipro to fight off intestinal bacteria might be helpful. I understand it is very chearp to purchase in Iquitos, though. It did the trick for me on one trip.

Photo Equipment: Humidity is not a big problem in the city, but it did affect the operation of one of my lenses when in the jungle. A wide angle lens is essential in the city and in the jungle, but a macro lens can be quite useful when traveling down the river. A telephoto isn't as useful as you might think since the jungle is rather dense and seeing very far away isn't possible. They are most useful when shooting towards the shore from a boat. I prefer my 18-200 lens which covers about almost every situation.

Updated Jun 14, 2006

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Off The Beaten Path  

Rio Napo Expedition

Rio Napo Expedition, Iquitos

 rickvdb Says:  I had a great time exploring the Amazon from Iquitos. Amit ,Eyal and yours truly organized from Iquitos an Independent Jungle Guide called Gerson to take us up the Rio Napo like the locals do it in a Peka Peka over 8 days.What an adventure spending all day going up the river... 

"Authentic" Amazon River Expedition

"Authentic" Amazon River Expedition, Iquitos

 tribalover Says:  While I was at a jungle camp called Amazon Wilderness Expeditions (AWE) (sign up across the street from the Yellow Rose of Texas) I met Octavio and Mi who were my guides for four days. I talked with Octavio about wanting to meet "authentic" Amazon people and he asked if I... 

Favorites  

yellow feber

yellow feber, Iquitos

 Arc86 Says:  I would ask also another doctor for advise.My mother got yellow fever after months of traveling in Latin America. She went to a local hospital and recovered after several months.I think there are two stadiums. Only 20 to 30% of people who get yellow feber die. If you don't... 

Pucallpa - Iquitos

Pucallpa - Iquitos, Iquitos

 Arc86 Says:  If you have some time to travel you could travel to Pucallpa by bus or airplane from Lima - and from there take the boat to Iquitos.I never did this myself..but I'm sure it's great. There is really nothing between this two cities..it's the amazon jungle! 

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Map of Iquitos