Sights and landmarks in Iquitos

Sights and landmarks in Iquitos

1. See

   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

2. See

   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.

3. See

   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

4. See

   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)

5. See

   La Plaza 28 de Julio

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

6. See

   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

7. See Not mapped

   Allpahuayo-Mishana National Reserve

   Reserva Nacional Allpahuayo-Mishana

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

8. See Not mapped

   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.

9. See Not mapped

   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

10. See Not mapped

    Ex Hotel Palace

    former Hotel Palace

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

11. See Not mapped

    Iquitos Cathedral

    Iglesia Matriz de Iquitos

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

12. See Not mapped

    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

13. See Not mapped

    The River Amazonas and the Amazon rainforest

    Next to Iquitos city

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Iquitos (CC BY-SA 4.0).