Iquitos or Puerto Maldonado, Which is Best?
James Bustamante is Native to New York but born to Peruvian parents. He has been traveling throughout Latin America since early 2003 and finally made his home in Peru. James has made his way by eating and traveling through almost every country in Central and South America.
Last Updated on May 9, 2024 by James Bustamante
One of the most requested and mysterious destinations in the Amazon rainforest and travelers want to know if they should visit Iquitos or Puerto Maldonado, which one is best? Most travelers are eager to visit one of the most biodiverse places on earth and will need to know what to expect before arrival.
The Amazon covers large portions of Peru, so travelers can choose exactly which section of the rainforest they want to venture to. However, it can be complicated since each part of the Amazon might offer something different. For example, some travelers might want to be on the Amazon river and stay in Iquitos, while others prefer to visit one of the tributaries and go to Puerto Maldonado.
Iquitos Or Puerto Maldonado Rainforest Tours?
If a traveler plans to visit the jungle and take Amazon rainforest tours, they’ll first need to determine if they want to go to Iquitos or Puerto Maldonado. The Amazon is the Amazon, right? Well, the answer is “yes” and also “no.”
You’ll find both places in the Amazon rainforest; however, they both have activities and Amazon tours that are very particular to each jungle region.
The answer is no, which tends to surprise and confuse travelers. Puerto Maldonado is in the Amazon rainforest; however, it is not located in the Amazon river, but it is instead situated on a tributary.
A quick fact about the Amazon River is that it is massive; it is the second longest river anywhere in the world. It is also true the Amazon river has over 1,100 tributaries that give life to the exotic Amazon rainforest. The tributaries which stem from the Amazon river allow the rainforest to expand so far along the region.
When you see the Amazon river, you can’t help feeling impressed with its immense size. The majority of travelers want to be able to say that they’ve been on the Amazon river. The issue with this is that most wildlife prefers to stick to the tributaries, and being able to see animals is one of the objectives of coming to the rainforest. It won’t be easy to spot wildlife on an Amazon rainforest tour if we only stick to the main river.
How to Travel to Iquitos
There is only one way to get to Iquitos: by plane. You can also take a boat, but it’s not practical for tourism purposes, so we don’t count it. Iquitos is actually the largest city in the world that cannot be accessed via road, so travelers will need to fly there.
There are several flights departing Lima daily to get to Iquitos. The flight is relatively quick; it takes just under two hours to reach the Amazon rainforest city. If you happen to be in Cusco, you will also be able to catch a flight to Iquitos. LATAM manages these flights, but they don’t have daily departures, so travelers must manage their schedules well to get on these flights.
How To Get To Puerto Maldonado
Going to Puerto Maldonado is generally more straightforward than traveling to Iquitos. So in the Iquitos vs. Puerto Maldonado balance, the latter has the advantage. In addition, several daily flights depart Lima and Cusco are generally cheaper than flights to Iquitos. The flights are also shorter, and they roughly take 40 minutes from Lima or an hour and a half from Cusco.
If you are keen on traveling by land and seeing some of the local scenery, there are buses that run from Cusco to Puerto Maldonado. The bus ride will take around eight hours, but sometimes it might take a little longer due to weather conditions and the number of stops programmed by the bus company. Remember that travelers are essentially riding into the Amazon Rainforest, where the weather can change at the drop of a dime.
Buses leaving Cusco with the destination of Puerto Maldonado will generally go in the evening and drive all night. Once the morning arrives, travelers notice a profound change in scenery and wake up to the rainforest.
Travelers with issues with Cusco’s high elevation will feel alleviated in the new rainforest altitude of under 600 feet (183 meters) above sea level.
Information About Iquitos
Iquitos is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma. Once you arrive, it’s difficult to understand why there are no roads that lead to this big rainforest city. With a population of almost 500,000, locals need to get around the city. There are roads and tons of traffic with many cars and moto-taxis everywhere.
The city’s center tends to feel a bit touristy, but that can be said about any major city in Latin America. It is undoubtedly a city that is meant for the local communities, though.
There are loads of activities in Iquitos, Peru. From restaurants, Amazon rainforest tours, River tours, exciting bars, and dance clubs to places travelers can explore, like the famous Mercado de Belen (Belen Market).
The Belen Market in Iquitos
The market is a type of local symbol for Iquitos. There are even organized tours to the Belen Market that anyone can book. Travelers who venture into the market will find affordable produce, freshly caught river fish, and even find stands where merchants sell medicinal plants from the Amazon.
During the exploration of the market, travelers will even find Ayahuasca. We recommend that a professional shaman handles this, though.
Visit Downtown Iquitos
The downtown area of Iquitos is also quite interesting. Most would say that for a plaza, it is pretty small; however, I would say it’s charming instead. We can find some rather run-down buildings in downtown Iquitos with historical value. They are interesting to look at and explore, but the architecture is not really why most travelers come to a place like Iquitos.
If we head towards the boardwalk, travelers will be able to stroll by the river as long as the water levels allow it.
What’s The Food Like In Iquitos?
Iquitos in the Amazon rainforest have plenty of restaurants, and food stands to pick up breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Some places specialize in Amazon cuisine, using fresh fruit, river fish, and other ingredients. If you’re feeling brave, try grilled or fried grubs called “Suri.”
Grub dishes might sound extreme but remember that Iquitos is where some locals indulge in monkeys, caiman, turtles, and other wildlife from the Amazon.
About Puerto Maldonado
Puerto Maldonado, compared to Iquitos, is a much smaller destination. It feels more like a town than a big city. The small size and population of roughly 85,000 have several pros and cons when comparing Iquitos vs Puerto Maldonado.
For starters, the city (or town) of Puerto Maldonado doesn’t have as many activities going on as Iquitos. Therefore, most travelers arrive at Puerto Maldonado and instantly head towards one of the rainforest lodges by boat.
So is it worth it to spend the night in Puerto Maldonado? The easy answer is “yes, of course.” Even a tiny town in the middle of the rainforest has plenty to offer for a single day. Try the local delicacies and visit the jungle markets and shops before going to the lodges.
Iquitos vs Puerto Maldonado – Amazonian Tribes
One primary reason people travel to exotic destinations is to meet the locals; in the Amazon rainforest case, travelers will want to see native Amazonian tribes.
Travelers will get the chance to meet native tribes in both destinations; however, the larger population of Iquitos and the many native communities will obviously increase your chances. Some lodges or Amazon river cruises will include a trip to a local tribal community where you’ll spend a few hours.
The tribes will show you how they live, what they eat, what they hunt, and how it is prepared. Not all lodges and cruises include this in their program, so ask if this activity is essential for you ahead of time.
One thing that needs to be mentioned is that sometimes a meet and greet with Amazonian tribes might seem a bit touristy. However, the natives will likely put on a show for travelers and get them to dance as they play their instruments. Native tribes also survive on these encounters, so purchasing something in the village is a big help to them.
What About The Weather In The Amazon Rainforest?
The Amazon Rainforest is green, lush, and very hot and humid. But, as the name states, it rains very often, sometimes several times in one single day between early December and late March. So the rest of the year will also have plenty, with longer breaks between showers.
Humidity is also relatively high in the Amazon rainforest, which makes the heat feel just a tad uncomfortable. This doesn’t mean that it’s always hot, though. The evening can get relatively cold in certain months.
Like I recommend for the Machu Picchu hike, visiting Cusco, or any other destination in Peru, you should always be prepared with your wardrobe. Use cotton long sleeve shirts and pants since they’ll help keep the insects off, and pack a light jacket or sweater for the evenings.
Weather And Amazon Rainforest Tours
It doesn’t matter whether you are in Iquitos or Puerto Maldonado. The Amazon Rainforest has very unpredictable weather. Tours in the Amazon might need to be postponed or canceled depending on conditions like rain, or it might be too hot and humid to go hiking during the day. Make sure to go to the rainforest with an open mind and remember to be very flexible when setting dates or timing.
The busiest tourist season to go to the Amazon will coincide with the high season in Machu Picchu, Cusco, The Sacred Valley, The Rainbow Mountain, and several other popular destinations in Peru. This high period will extend from late April to early September.
The good thing is that the high season in the Amazon does not equal large groups of tourists everywhere. The difficulty in reaching the Amazon is one of the primary reasons why there aren’t as many people heading to the rainforest as they would be to Cusco and Machu Picchu. Lodges and Amazon cruises also limit how many people can book; there are only a few lodges and cruises to choose from. This is also one of the most important reasons to book your Amazon Rainforest tours several months in advance.
Unlike Machu Picchu, you won’t have to worry about encountering hoards of tourists. This is thanks to the limited number of cruises/lodges and how far apart most of them are from one another. For this reason, you should book your accommodation as far in advance as possible.
Amazon Lodges vs. Rainforest Cruises
When planning a trip to the Amazon, travelers will find two different ways to experience this destination: staying in an Amazon lodge or taking an Amazon Rainforest cruise. Let’s review what each offers and each option’s pros and cons.
Amazon Rainforest Lodges
Both Iquitos and Puerto Maldonado have accommodations in the form of lodges for travelers to stay in. Typically, travelers will need to take a boat ride to reach the lodges since they are located in nature reserves like Tambopata in Puerto Maldonado. Therefore, for the lodges, think more like being in the actual rainforest, not downtown Iquitos or Puerto Maldonado’s main square.
The negative aspect of being further out in the rainforest comes with having access to fewer amenities during your stay. However, the lodges are located in nature reserves, meaning they are mostly very eco-friendly and use solar panels or generators for electricity.
Generators aren’t turned on all day either, so you need to plan your day to have time to charge whatever electric devices you have and take a warm shower.
Iquitos will have more lodging options with 24-hour electricity, air conditioning, and other amenities. Still, you’ll be less likely to see wild animals or Amazon rainforest plants to spot on your trip than in the lodges at Puerto Maldonado.
Amazon River Cruises
Amazon river cruises offer a different type of experience than lodges do. Cruises can vary from budget-oriented boats to insanely luxurious ones. In fact, Amazon river cruises are much nicer and offer a vastly more upscale experience than lodges.
Cruises will only navigate out of Iquitos, so you won’t have to worry about comparing Puerto Maldonado if cruises interest you.
What About Visiting Both, Puerto Maldonado and Iquitos?
I would say that visiting Iquitos and Puerto Maldonado on the same trip is unnecessary unless you have unlimited time and money. However, splitting both destinations into different trips might be the way to go if you want to visit each one.
Iquitos and Puerto Maldonado have marked differences despite being in the Amazon rainforest. If you’re still trying to figure out which one is best for your upcoming trip, then go with what feels right after reading this entire article.
Iquitos vs. Puerto Maldonado, Which Has More Wildlife?
When analyzing wildlife in the Iquitos vs. Puerto Maldonado comparison, you’ll most likely see more flora and fauna in Puerto Maldonado. However, this can vary depending on which lodge you’ve decided to stay in.
Lodges near the town of Puerto Maldonado will most likely have less wildlife than lodges located in the Tambopata nature reserve, which is much further out in the jungle.
Your best chance to see plenty of wildlife while staying in the Amazon is the Tambopata Research Center in Puerto Maldonado, located within the Tambopata nature reserve. These eco-friendly lodges are deep in the rainforest and offer daily excursions, canopy tree top tours, bird-watching tours, canoeing in the river, and several other exciting activities in the Amazon.
Do I Need A Yellow Fever Vaccine To Travel To The Amazon?
Travelers can check the official CDC page to see the list of recommended vaccines before traveling to Peru. Yellow fever is not very common in Peru, but it’s a good idea to get it just in case. Generally speaking, checking with your doctor before traveling is ideal for a trip to Peru. Your medical expert will have the best advice regarding recommended vaccinations.
Conclusion
When comparing Iquitos and Puerto Maldonado, remember that one will be more like a city, offer Rainforest cruises, and is on the Amazon River. Puerto Maldonado is smaller and mostly has lodges for travelers t stay in; however, it is also where you’ll have the highest chances to see local wildlife in their natural habitat.
I hope this article has helped at least weigh out the pros and cons of each destination and what each one will offer. Contact us today for more information on Amazon Rainforest Tours, Machu Picchu tours, or any other Peru destination contact one of our travel advisors.
Cover Photo by Kiyoshi
