Iquitos

Amazon Bistro

At one block from the main square, in front of the river, a French old-style brasserie. An excellent alternative to eat or to enjoy a drink thanks to the unique offers in town — real espresso, homemade bread, Argentinean steaks, Belgian beers, escargots, Belgian chocolate dessert. Live music on Friday and Saturday nights.

Daily 06:00-00:00

Amazon Explorer

Licensed company operating since 2004 that organizes expeditions to the Amazon rainforest, to the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve (described under "See" above) and survival trips. Also, off-the-beaten-path expeditions to remote indigenous tribes as the Matses (known also as Mayorunas), the Shuar people (known also as Jibaros), the Urarinas and so on. All these tribes keep their traditional customs and heritage (expeditions to remote indigenous tribes require at least 12 days, so reserve at least two weeks in advance); expeditions for scientific research or students; expeditions to unexplored areas in the Amazon rainforest; and jungle survival training courses. They also offer day trips and boat tours to the nearby tourist attractions in Iquitos.

24-hours by phone·Around US$130 per person per day (in 2016)

Amazon Rescue Center

Centro de Rescate Amazonico

Run by the ACOBIA NGO, supported by the IIAP-Institute for Investigation of the Peruvian Amazon and the Dallas World Aquarium. This projects aims to rescue orphaned manatees, whose mothers have been killed by locals for food, and other animals such as ocelot. They also have educational programs for local communities and schools about the importance of the preservation of this species. The employees are very enthusiastic about the animals. This is probably the only place in the world where you can bottle-feed manatee babies. Take a mototaxi from downtown to get there. They also accept volunteers to educate local school kids.

Tue-Sun 09:00-15:00·Adult S/30, student or child S/15, 50% discounts for Peruvuans

Belén market

Over 150 native communities from upriver come down to the market of Belén to sell their produce in the market. Belen is the hub of every village within miles, chaotic, flavorful, practical and superstitious, thriving on and above a strip of land that is seasonally flooded. For a series of photo-essays on Belén, check out the Belén Street Market, Pasaje Paquito (if you want to buy exotic drinks this is the place), and Floating in Belén.

Curassow Amazon Lodge

This lodge is in primary rainforest which is exceedingly rich in species of both plants and animals, offering many opportunities for observing birds (the area has almost 500 species) and many kinds of animals and plants, including the giant water lily (the biggest aquatic plant in the world). Camping, hiking, canoeing, visiting local villages, eating exotic foods and navigating the Amazon River are all part of the experience, too. Tours from 2 days/1 night up to 6 days/5 nights. U.S. calls:.

Booking in advance is strongly advisable·2-day tour: single US$240, double $190/person; 6-day tour single US$990, double $660/person

Dawn on the Amazon

Easy to find at the end of the boulevard on the corner of Nauta is the place to go to eat and meet. The food is excellent, it is right on the end of the boulevard with a beautiful view and it is the center to find out where to go in Iquitos. All the expats congregate each evening full of suggestions and great conversation. Live music and lively conversation.

Daily 07:30-22:00

Fossil Creek Wildlife Refuge

Reserva Piedral

Fossil Creek Wildlife Reserve was created in May 2016 in the Terra Firme forests of the communities of Roca Eterna and Nuevo Union de Boyador. The reserve consists of 1000 hectares of primary rain forest and the drainage system of the legendary Quebrada Piedral. There are two small jungle huts and a trail system you must be accompanied by a guide. This unique reserve is the only with quick access from Iquitos to Virgin rainforest that is teeming with wildlife. Help the sustainable development of the Amazon Region by travelling responsibly.

Fundo Pedrito alligator farm

It houses spectacled alligators, paiches (the biggest freshwater fish in the Amazon basin and one of the longest fish in the world), and the Victoria amazonica (the biggest lily-pad in the world). The admission fee includes a bucket of fish food.

Daily 09:00-16:00·S/5

Huasaí Restaurant

One of the best values in Iquitos for lunch. Known for its tropical fruit juices. It is very popular with local business people.

Sun-Fri 07:45-15:30·Lunch menu S/22

La Isla de los Monos

The Monkey Island

Here they have a variety of monkey species (some endangered), as well as a sloth, some coatis, a pair of toucans and macaws, all of which are free to roam and go into the jungle, but are domesticated and hang around for the food. They happily play, climbing on visitors (and try to take things from you such as glasses, wallets). You can go as part of a day-tour (see below), or a visit is included in the itineraries of several lodge stays, e.g. Cumaceba. To go there by yourself, catch a moto-taxi to Bellavista-Nanay, walk 100 m through the market to the water and organise to hire a boat from the boat owner's association. A return trip by fast boat should cost S/50 per person, or by small boat S/25 per perso.

Daily 08:00-16:00·Adult S/50, child S/20; Peruvian S/30 (child S/10)

La Plaza 28 de Julio

The biggest square in Peru, there are very good 'Chifa' (Peruvian Chinese) restaurants around the square.

Maniti Expeditions Eco-Lodge & Tours

Fully licensed and registered tour operator and eco-lodge that organizes all-inclusive jungle expeditions, Amazon riverboat cruises, trips to Pacaya Samiria Reserve. Tours include visits to monkey island, zip line, canopy walk, fishing, hiking, pink river dolphin spotting, etc. Tours are tailored for all ages and experience levels. All excursions are led by local, professional, certified, multi-lingual guides with many years of experience in the Amazon Rainforest. Maniti Camp Expeditions works with local communities, businesses and individuals to develop sustainable ecotourism opportunities that help the local economy while minimizing negative environmental and cultural impacts.

24 hours by phone

Pilpintuwasi Butterfly Farm & Amazon Animal Orphanage

At Pilpintuwasi you can see the complete life cycle and learn about the impressing development of butterflies. At the Amazon Animal Orphanage you can see the rescued endangered animals that were ill-treated, such as anteaters, monkeys, tapirs or Pedro Bello, the Jaguar. Pilpintuwasi is on the Nanay River Front near the village of Padre Cocha. It's about 20 min by boat from Bellavista-Nanay. There are boats all day long. During the dry season you have to walk about 15 min from the village. Volunteers are also regularly needed for help!

Tue-Sun 09:00-16:00·Adult S/30, student S/15, child S/5

Shambo Heladería

For ice cream. There is a second location at the corner of Huallaga St. and Morona St.

Daily 08:00-20:00

Tapiche Jungle Reserve

Tapiche Jungle Reserve is deep inside the jungle where you can see primary rainforest and an abundance of wildlife in a natural setting. Activitues vary depending on the weather. It is a private rainforest conservation project in a remote location. It does not keep wild animals as pets.

Allpahuayo-Mishana National Reserve

Reserva Nacional Allpahuayo-Mishana

Bungalows. Ecotourism. Trekking. Excursions in the Amazon Forest.

Ayahuasca

Ayahuasca is a powerful psychedelic brew made from local plants. Shamans have been using Ayahuasca for thousands of years as part of their plant healing methods. Ayahuasca is considered a traditional medicine and is legal in Peru. It has been gaining popularity around the globe and is attracting growing numbers of people to Iquitos, which is considered to be the "Capital of Ayahuasca". Many Ayahuasca users have reported life-changing experiences after taking the medicine. Most providers of jungle trips in Iquitos will offer Ayahuasca ceremonies in their jungle lodges for an additional charge of US$50-100 per person. Local shamans will run those nightly ceremonies which typically start around 20:00 and end around midnight. The quality and effects of a ceremony depend on the experience of the shaman, the quality of the Ayahuasca beverage and the "set and setting" of the Ayahuasca user. Shamans recommend to follow the so-called Ayahuasca diet (no salt, no sugar, no oil, no alcohol, no sex) before indulging in an Ayahuasca experience. More sophisticated Ayahuasca centers offer all-inclusive, full-service Ayahuasca ceremonies in their jungle retreats. People usually stay in an Ayahuasca retreat for 7 days or more at weekly rates starting at US$750 with the option of attending multiple Ayahuasca ceremonies. The number of people in one ceremony vary by retreat and range from 5 to 25 people. If you are really interested in exploring Ayahuasca, you should book a 7- or 10-day stay in a specialized Ayahuasca retreat. As with any psychedelic, inform yourself about Ayahuasca and its risks before you drink.

Ayahuasca Medicine House

It holds ayahuasca ceremonies every Monday, Wednesday and Friday evening with an Australian ayahuasquero. San Pedro ceremony is optional on Sunday. They also have hape, nu nu and sapo-kambo available. US$1100 for ten days includes ceremonies, electricity 24-7, Wi-Fi, gas stove, oven, fridge and freezer, filtered water, and shamanic library.

US$350 weekly

Casa de Fierro

the Iron House

It houses crafts shops and a restaurant. It is called the Eiffel building because it is falsely claimed that it was designed by Gustave Eiffel, who also designed a well-known tower in Paris. This house was shipped from Belgium and assembled here in 1890.

Complejo Turístico de Quistococha

The complex occupies a space of 369 hectares of Amazon forest. It has an artificial white sand beach called Tunchi Playa, and is surrounded by vegetation composed mainly of aguaje palm trees. It houses a museum, a zoo and a natural nursery. The museum includes a taxidermy collection of Amazonian fauna. The zoo is home to mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish.

Daily 08:30-17:30·Adult S/3, child S/1

Ex Hotel Palace

former Hotel Palace

A beautiful Art Nouveau building overlooking the Itaya River. Completed in 1912.

Iquitos Cathedral

Iglesia Matriz de Iquitos

The main Catholic church in Iquitos. Completed in 1919 in neo-Gothic style.

Jungle trips

Jungle trips are the main reason to visit Iquitos as it serves as a launch point for trips into the Amazon. Single day or multi-day trips can be booked. You are taken out on a boat and can view wildlife such as monkeys, alligators, giant lily-pads, baby caimans (sort of like mini-alligators), anacondas, boas, tarantulas, and more. Your taxi driver or hotel concierge will be more than happy to contact a tour guide for you, as they get a kickback for the referral. However by using this kickback referral system, you will be guaranteed the highest possible price and lowest possible service. Besides, in Iquitos there are no official tour guide associations so never pay attention to street guides or freelancer guides; at the best, they are expensive, and at the worst, corrupt and dangerous. Visit or contact directly a bunch of regular (licensed) tour companies' offices and compare their prices and guides. Usually, their offices are located around the Main Square. A nice-looking travel agency's office it may be a sign of quality. An unsightly office or an aggressive vendor or guide could not be good or, at worst, scammers. Guides and staff could be friendly but they are sellers expecting your money. If you need to know regular companies or guides and their record of complaints, contact iPeru, the government tourist information office. Their nationwide service is free and reliable and they may assist you in case you have problems or need to do procedures anywhere over Peru. The iPerú address is 161 Napo street (right off from the Main Square) and they open including on holidays, or contact them by or their 24-hour line or they email [email protected]. In Iquitos, they work from Monday to Saturday 09:00-18:00, and Sunday 09:00-13:00. They have an office in the Arrival Lounge of the Iquitos' Airport (phone +51 1 616-7300 extension 1828).

Pacaya Samiria National Reserve

The most extensive national protected area in all of Peru, and the most extensive in all of the floodable Amazon rainforest in South America. It is home to more than 1000 species of animals and 965 species of wild plants.

Everyday·Foreigner S/30, Peruvuan adult S/15, Peruvian child S/8

El Kikiriki

Good for chicken and anticucho.

Daily 17:30-22:00

Mercado Artesanal de San Juan

San Juan handicraft market

The place to buy crafts.

Daily 08:00-18:00

The River Amazonas and the Amazon rainforest

Next to Iquitos city