Iquitos Peru
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 November 19, 2020 by James Bustamante
Iquitos Peru is in the Amazonas region of the country, the capital of the vast Department of Loreto, which covers most of the northern Amazon region of Peru. This part of Peru along with its activities are vastly different than going from Lima to Machu Picchu.
As Peru’s premier jungle destination and the gateway to the great Amazon rainforest, there are a plethora of exciting activities to keep an adventurous traveler busy in Iquitos such as Amazon boat rides and great wildlife viewing.
12 Day Lima, The Amazon, Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca Tour Outline
- Arrival to Lima.
- Lima city Tour.
- Arrival to Puerto Maldonado (Amazon).
- Amazon Tours and Activities.
- Amazon Tours and Activities Day 2.
- Arrival to Cusco.
- Cusco city Tour.
- Sacred Valley of the Inca Tour.
- Machu Picchu Guided Tour.
- Arrival to Puno (Lake Titicaca).
- Lake Titicaca Tours and Activities.
- Return to Lima.
The Population in Iquitos, Peru
The population is very diverse because it was once the most important port in the Peruvian Amazon which in turn brought people from around the world.
The city still has a lot of houses and structures that were built during that age.
There surely could be no more fitting place for beginning your Amazon River cruise in Peru than Iquitos – a city that can only be reached by air or water; there are no roads from the outside leading to this settlement in the rainforest.
However, as far as Iquitos may be far from the beaten path, you can rest assured that it has all the good weather conditions necessary to make your stay comfortable.
It is very important that you check on what time of the year you’re going as the weather can vary quite a bit.
Summer and Winter in Iquitos, Peru
Summer in Iquitos (November – May) is rainy and humid. In May, the Amazon river that surrounds Iquitos reaches its highest point.
Winter in Iquitos offers a different climate, sunny days and nice weather, with an average of 90 F (32 C). Iquitos regularly has microclimates, meaning, rain can be present in one area of the city, and sunshine in another.
Lastly, Iquitos suffers from a phenomenon called “urban heat island.” It’s where heat has difficulty dissipating into the night hours, since the urban climate of Iquitos, is hotter than the natural climate of the Amazon jungle.
Unlike the Northern Hemisphere with its summer and winter, or subtropical zones with wet and dry seasons, Amazon rainforest weather has a high water season and a low water season.
Both times of the year can easily be used for Amazon river travel as only slightly more rain falls in the high water season than in the low.
High Water Season in Iquitos
The high water season goes from December to May when the rivers are at their highest.
In fact, the Amazonian rivers rise nearly 25 feet during this time, allowing increased access not only to otherwise impassable creeks and streams, but also permitting penetration into the rainforest itself by boat.
During the high water season, the Amazon rainforest temperature will generally top out at about 86 F (30 C), and the relative humidity will also be very high.
However, this will probably be the best time to observe the incredible wildlife that Amazon River travel can show you; pink dolphins, giant river otters, Amazonian manatees, night monkeys, pygmy marmosets, giant river turtles, and ocelots, and many other species are all to be found in or near the rainforest rivers.
Birds also present a dazzling spectacle in the high water season – white herons, toucans, jacamars, and brilliantly colored macaws abound.
Low Water Season in Iquitos
The low water season is hotter than the high water, with Amazon temperatures reaching into the middle to high 90’s F (34+ C). To compensate for the higher temperatures, however, there will be less rain and fewer mosquitos.
If you enjoy fishing, this is the perfect time to cast a line into the water as the lower water levels have served to concentrate the fish to a degree.
Traveler’s tip: You’re traveling to a rainforest, so It’s very important that you take sunscreen, insect repellent (rainforests attract lots of mosquitos), long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and a rain jacket/poncho.
People traveling to Iquitos should choose their activities carefully; some of the most popular activities include handling and taking photos with jungle animals, visiting zoos and buying some locally made handicrafts and souvenirs.
The Food in Iquitos, Peru
If you are new to Iquitos and the Amazon, you are in for a real treat. The food in Iquitos, as in the rest of Peru, is excellent.
It is an exotic blend of Peruvian, Brazilian, and Colombian food with influences from the Andes as well as from the Pacific Coast.
Some popular foods include the Juane (made on the basis of rice, meat, olives, hard-boiled egg, spices among others, which is wrapped with bijao foil and then put to boil for about an hour and a half) and the Tacacho (roasted jungle banana with bacon like wild pork bits).
If the heat is getting to you then go to the excellent ‘heladerias’ (ice cream shops) such as “Shambo” in the corner of Huallaga St. and Morona St., “Giornata” in Plaza de Armas, and “La Favorita” in Prospero St.
If you’re into more traditional food, then you could try “La Mishquina.” It’s famous for its high quality and delicious dishes.
The Culture in Iquitos, Peru
If you are into learning about the rich cultures in Iquitos, then tourists will relish in the chance to visit the indigenous settlement of Yaguas, a short boat ride from town.
Traditionally dressed villagers treat tourists to a vibrant song and dance routine and offer a crash course in the finer points of blow dart hunting.
Consider purchasing some locally made handicrafts, the perfect Amazon souvenir of which the profits go straight back into the community.
Those of you looking for a bit of mysticism can check out the local shamans that provide a variety of services and rituals. Most of these rituals entail an infamous indigenous medicine that has been used in the region for centuries known as Ayahuasca.
It has become popular in recent years with westerners seeking spiritual guidance. This potent brew is made from a combination of local roots and sends visitors on a profound psychedelic trip, something definitely not for the faint-hearted
Getting Around in Iquitos, Peru
Now, another important aspect that you should think about is transportation. The most common way to move around town is by “motocarro”, a motorcycle with a small, rickshaw-like passenger cabin in the back.
You can also find taxi here, but they tend to be more expensive and are less prevalent and you’ll get a nice breeze.
You can travel to most places for about 2 soles (about 66 Cents) but places further away (for example, from the airport to Plaza de Armas) usually costs about 3 soles or more.
The main reason to visit Iquitos is that it serves as a launch point for trips into the Amazon and a hub to many other regions in Peru.
If you travel you’ll find Tarapoto, it offers one of the widest variety of orchids and butterflies in the world or Chachapoyas which has Pre-Incan ruins and mummies, the tallest waterfall in Peru, sarcophagi and more).
From there you could continue on and see beautiful beaches and scenic landscapes. Iquitos is an excellent addition to any one of our Peru tours and you can include it in a Machu Picchu travel package.
Finally, make sure you reserve your trip in advance as the most important factor when booking a trip to any part of Peru, whether it be a trip to Iquitos or a hike to Machu Picchu, is to book with anticipation. This is very important as hotels, tours and planes usually run out during the high season.
Frequently Asked Questions About Iquitos Peru.
Iquitos also known as City of Iquitos, is the capital city of Peru’s Maynas Province and is located in the Loreto Region in the Amazon.
It’s the largest city in the Peruvian Amazon and is considered by most to be the capital city of the rainforest. It is also the most direct way of getting to the jungle itself.
The only way to get to Iquitos is by plane. Most flights take around 1.5 to 2 hours to arrive through airlines like Avianca and Latam.
The best time to travel to Iquitos is between the months of May to July as there is much less rainfall. However, you should note that the temperatures will also be higher.
It can get quite hot during the day. Rainforest type weather usually reach an average of 85 to 90 degrees Celsius (30-32 degrees Fahrenheit)
Yes Iquitos is quite safe to travel to.
Puerto Maldonado is located within a reserve near Iquitos, Peru.
