Iquitos

No roads lead to Iquitos, Peru's largest Amazon city - you can only reach it by air or river. Walk past the Iron House, a building designed by Gustave Eiffel's studio, watch grey dolphins swim in the Amazon River, or buy fresh paiche fish at the water-level markets of Belen. Take a three-hour boat ride to sleep in a jungle lodge, where you'll wake up to howler monkeys and walk through the rainforest on 35-meter-high canopy platforms.

Getting to Iquitos

Daily flights connect Lima to Iquitos, with the journey taking about 1 hour and 45 minutes. You can also travel by boat along the Amazon River, which takes three days. In the city, get around in motorcycle rickshaws called motocarros, which run between all neighborhoods.

Exploring the Amazon River

Take a boat trip to see grey and pink dolphins swimming near the surface, watch local fishermen catch piranhas, or join night excursions to spot caimans. Many jungle lodges sit 3-4 hours away from the city by boat. Local guides lead walks through seasonally flooded forests and take you up to canopy walkways for bird watching.

The Belen Market

Wooden walkways and floating platforms make up the Belen market, where you'll find fresh river fish, fruits, and medicinal plants from the jungle. Come at dawn to see boats arriving with produce from upstream villages. Small canoes navigate between the stilted houses and market platforms.

1900s Architecture

The rubber industry brought wealth to Iquitos between 1880-1914. Merchants built mansions decorated with ceramic tiles from Portugal and Italy. The Iron House, designed by Gustave Eiffel's studio and assembled piece by piece after shipping from Europe, stands on the main square. Visit the Morey House to see its detailed Portuguese tile work.

Local Food and Markets

River fish and tropical fruits dominate local dishes. Try paiche, a 2-meter-long fish served grilled or in stews, or juanes - rice and chicken wrapped in bijao leaves. Look for ice cream and drinks made from aguaje, a red-scaled fruit that grows on palm trees throughout the region.

Weather and Seasons

The Amazon River rises 20-50 feet from November to May during rainy season, flooding forests and making boats essential for transport. From June to September, lower water levels expose river beaches and bring animals closer to the shorelines.

Indigenous Communities

More than 150 indigenous communities live near Iquitos. In the village of Santo Tomas, 45 minutes by boat from the city, Cocama and Cocamilla people continue their traditional ceramic-making practices. Local guides can arrange visits to communities where you can learn about forest medicine and crafts.