Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve 3-Day Trip from Iquitos
Peru's great flooded-forest reserve, reached by road to Nauta and then by river, with pink dolphins, caimans, monkeys and birds on a three-day guided trip from Iquitos.
Loreto (Peru)
Iquitos & the Amazon
Iquitos is the great port of the Peruvian Amazon, a city of rubber-boom mansions, floating markets and mototaxis that cannot be reached by road and sits where the rivers that form the Amazon begin to widen.
From here, boats and small planes lead into one of the richest wildlife regions on Earth, with pink river dolphins, monkeys, sloths, caimans and hundreds of bird species, and the vast flooded forest of Pacaya-Samiria lies a few hours to the south. This guide covers the city and the river: the Belen market and its stilted and floating neighborhood, the Plaza de Armas and the Iron House, rescue centers for manatees and butterflies, jungle lodges, camping trips, luxury river cruises, food tours and sunset boat rides, plus hotels in Iquitos and six travel guides on choosing a trip, when to go, what to eat and how to stay healthy.
Don't miss
Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve 3-Day Trip from Iquitos
Peru's great flooded-forest reserve, reached by road to Nauta and then by river, with pink dolphins, caimans, monkeys and birds on a three-day guided trip from Iquitos.
2-Day All-Inclusive Amazon Wildlife and Jungle Lodge Stay
The classic first taste of the rainforest: one night in a jungle lodge near Iquitos with guided walks, a boat trip, piranha fishing and a night wildlife outing.
Belen Market and Floating City Tour with a Local Guide
Iquitos's riverside market and the stilted and floating neighborhood beside it, a loud, colorful and unforgettable look at daily life on the Itaya River.
Narowe, the Taste of the Amazon: Iquitos Foodie Adventure
A guided food tour that introduces the flavors of the Peruvian Amazon, from river fish and forest fruit to juanes, tacacho and regional drinks.
Things to do in Iquitos & the Amazon
Hand-picked: every experience here has strong traveler reviews and a verified booking link.
2-Day All-Inclusive Amazon Wildlife and Jungle Lodge Stay
The classic first taste of the rainforest: one night in a jungle lodge near Iquitos with guided walks, a boat trip, piranha fishing and a night wildlife outing.
3-Day Jungle Adventure at Muyuna Lodge
A three-day stay at Muyuna Lodge on the Yanayacu River, with canoe outings, forest walks, village visits and night excursions in a quieter stretch of the upper Amazon.
3-Day Amazon Jungle Adventure at Ceiba Tops Lodge
A comfortable three-day stay at Ceiba Tops, an established lodge on the Amazon River with air-conditioned rooms, a pool and guided walks, canopy and river outings.
Belen Market and Floating City Tour with a Local Guide
Iquitos's riverside market and the stilted and floating neighborhood beside it, a loud, colorful and unforgettable look at daily life on the Itaya River.
Iquitos Rubber Boom Self-Guided Audio Walk
A low-cost self-guided audio tour of the Plaza de Armas, the Iron House, the Malecon and the rubber-era mansions, with the darker history of the boom told along the way.
Amazon Rescue Center and Manatee Conservation Center
A conservation center near Iquitos where rescued Amazonian manatees are cared for and returned to the wild, with a low admission fee and a guided look at the animals.
Pilpintuwasi Butterfly Farm and Animal Rescue Center
A butterfly farm and animal rescue center in the village of Padre Cocha on the Nanay River, with free-flying butterflies, rescued monkeys and a giant anteater.
Monkey Island Full-Day Adventure
A full-day river trip to Monkey Island, a primate sanctuary on the Amazon where rescued monkeys roam free, combined with river scenery, fishing and wildlife stops.
Itaya, Nanay and Amazon River Private Boat Tour
A private boat trip through the three rivers that shape Iquitos, from the Itaya waterfront to the black-water Nanay and the muddy Amazon, with wildlife and village stops.
Itaya and Amazon River Sunset Boat Ride
A short, inexpensive evening boat ride along the Itaya and onto the Amazon, with golden light, river birds and the glow of the city behind you.
Private Amazon Piranha Fishing Trip with Transfers
A short guided fishing trip on a quiet river or lagoon near Iquitos, where you catch piranhas on a simple line and often eat them for lunch.
Where to stay
Hotels we would book ourselves, from splurges to good-value bases.
DoubleTree by Hilton Iquitos
Malecon Tarapaca, Iquitos
A full-service international-brand hotel on the Tarapaca waterfront, with river views, a pool and restaurants, and the most dependable base in town for jungle departures.
Check rates →Victoria Regia Hotel
Central Iquitos
A long-established mid-range hotel in central Iquitos, named for the giant Amazon water lily, with a pool, a restaurant and a practical location for tours.
Check rates →Hotel Ventura Isabel
Iquitos
A straightforward Iquitos hotel for travelers who want a clean room, air conditioning and easy access to tours without paying for extras they will not use.
Check rates →Hotel Europa Iquitos
Iquitos
A budget-to-mid-range hotel in Iquitos suited to travelers who want a central bed, a hot shower and a front desk that can help with tours and transfers.
Check rates →Hotel Casa Nativa Iquitos
Iquitos
A smaller, locally flavored hotel in Iquitos whose name points to Amazon heritage, suited to travelers who prefer a quieter base to a big chain.
Check rates →El Dorado Express Hotel
Iquitos
A practical Iquitos hotel from the El Dorado name, a long-running local hotel group, suited to short stays, airport connections and good-value comfort.
Check rates →Nativo Hotel
Iquitos
A smaller Iquitos hotel whose name nods to local style, aimed at travelers who want a comfortable, uncomplicated base in the city.
Check rates →Palau Amazonas Hotel
Iquitos
An Iquitos hotel with an Amazon name, suited to travelers who want comfort and a central base for market, river and jungle excursions.
Check rates →Hotel Anaconda
Iquitos
A simple, low-cost Iquitos hotel for backpackers and budget travelers who just need a bed, a shower and a base for tours and river trips.
Check rates →Iquitos & the Amazon guides
First Time in Iquitos: What to Know Before You Go to the Peruvian Amazon
A first-timer guide to Iquitos: how the city works without roads, what to book ahead, money, health, safety, heat and rain, and how to build a trip around the river and the forest.
Choosing an Amazon Jungle Trip from Iquitos: Lodge, Camping, Reserve or Cruise
How to choose between a jungle lodge, a camping trip, a Pacaya-Samiria expedition or a river cruise from Iquitos, with tips on length, budget, comfort, wildlife and what to ask operators.
Iquitos in Three Days: A Sample Itinerary for the City and the River
A three-day Iquitos itinerary combining the Belen market, the rubber-era waterfront, rescue centers, a river day and a sunset boat ride, with pacing tips for heat and rain.
Eating and Drinking in Iquitos: Juanes, Paiche, Camu Camu and More
A guide to Amazon food in Iquitos: the dishes to try, fruit and drinks, where and how to eat, market etiquette, food safety and dietary tips.
Best Time to Visit Iquitos: High Water, Low Water and the Seasons of the Amazon
How the seasons shape a trip to Iquitos: high-water and low-water months, rain, heat, wildlife patterns, festivals and what to pack in each part of the year.
Getting to Iquitos and Getting Around: Flights, Boats, Mototaxis and Health
How to reach Iquitos by air or river, how to move around the city and on the water, health and vaccination advice, safety, money and practical tips for the Peruvian Amazon.
