For your 2024 trip to the Amazon rainforest, you should know that this city is crucial in your planning. There are many things to do in Iquitos. Auri Peru gives you all the information so that little by little you can create a connection with nature.
From touring the artisan markets, visiting natural parks and protected areas to doing activities in the jungle, there are many things to do in Iquitos in 2024.
We recommend you to read our article: Discover The Amazon Pink River Dolphin’s Beauty
The first thing you have to know about this place is that Iquitos is in the jungle area of Peru, getting here is not complicated, you can do it through a flight that takes 1 hour and 50 minutes from Lima, you can find prices from $120.00 dollars per person, per route(We recommend you use the LATAM company for this trip). If it is your first time in the jungle, it is important that you have advance planning, however there are always many things to do in Iquitos in your free time such as:
1.- VISIT THE BELEN MARKET
One of the things to do in Iquitos is visit the Belen market, this is a place that will definitely leave a mark on you. It is located in the main square of the city surrounded by the bustle and chaos of daily life, it is a place where local people and foreign visitors can purchase all kinds of products, from vegetables, fruits, aphrodisiac drinks to local food that is a delight
This is also a neighborhood and commercial area, which is usually not safe during the rainy season (November – April), a season in which it can easily flood. Something unusual that happens here is the sale of exotic animals such as alligators, monkeys and turtles, of course not in a legal way, so we recommend that you avoid doing so, these animals belong to nature.
Of all the things to do in Iquitos, this is a good alternative to start with, it is open from Monday to Sunday from 05:00 am and the prices are affordable.
People Buying Vegetables at the Belen Market
2.- TOUR THE MONKEY ISLAND
Of all the things to do in Iquitos, enjoying a natural environment surrounded by wildlife is something you will never forget. Away from the city is a place that many travelers want to visit, the monkey island is a natural and protected space dedicated to the care of 8 species of monkeys and sloths.
On the one hand it works as a care center for some species that arrive injured and after being cured they can return to their life in the jungle. On the other hand, it also works as a tourist place where travelers can see the monkeys up close and interact in some situations.
To get here you use a river transport that leaves from Iquitos and we must pay the entrance ticket which costs s/30.00 soles per person. This visit is part of an experience in the jungle that we can organize for you, just contact us for more information.
Little Girl Playing on Monkey Island
Important: This is one of the things to do in Iquitos that we must be careful with, since during the visit you should avoid using lotions or perfumes with strong aromas, it may cause a reaction in the animals.
3.- ENJOY THE AQUA NERA LUXURY CRUISE
Among the things to do in Iquitos there are exclusive options that are available to you in 2024, one of them is to embark on the first category Aqua Nera cruise, this is a unique experience in which you can embark for 4, 7 or 10 days depending of the time you have free with everything included.
Its design was inspired by a style that is not intrusive with nature and in a slow way immerses itself in the Amazon River. Its interior is finely equipped with everything necessary to disguise the stay of a 5-star hotel with contemporary styles. It was designed by the architects Noor Design, it has 20 suites in which the weather will be the least concern. The tour also allows you to enjoy a visit to the Pacaya Samiria reserve with professional guides specialized in the nature of the Amazon. The prices for a space on this cruise starts from $3700.00 dollars per person, you can learn more about this on their website: Aqua Nera Expeditions.
Aqua Nera Cruise in the Amazon River
4.- KNOW THE INDIGENOUS TRIBES
Visiting the indigenous Amazon tribes definitely goes on the list of things to do in Iquitos. This is a special type of activity that you can do in this part of the country where the traditions of the people are inherited for generations and are still authentic. This type of activity is called experiential tourism, it is one of the things to do in Iquitos when visiting the indigenous villages of the Bora and the Yagua.
In the case of the Boras settlers, they can be found between the Napo and Putumayo rivers, their population is around 2000 people who communicate in their own language (Bora). On the other hand, the Yagua people are part of the oldest group of tribes that exists throughout the Amazon. Their population is much larger, between 4000 and 6000 people today. They also have their own language (Yagua).
Traveler Interacting with Amazonian Indigenous Tribes
To visit both communities you must access by river transport, so it is necessary that you do it together with a travel agency since not all the residents speak Spanish or English so you will always need a translator and the professional guides of our staff are specialized in this type of activities, we are sure that this is one of the things to do in Iquitos that you will love on your trip, contact us and organize a personalized experience.
| “If you don’t like where you are, travel. You are not a tree.” |
5.- GET TO KNOW THE TARAPACA MALECON
One of the things to do in Iquitos that you will undoubtedly love during your trip, the Malecon de Tarapaca is a great tourist avenue. Its history dates back to the 19th century and it bears the name as a tribute to the people who died in the war with Chile. This place gives us many emotions at sunset, showing us the last rays of the sun and enchanting the city in its peaceful night. It also shows us other options to do such as:
Tarapaca Malecon
- Visit the upper area: It is the place where the main hotels, restaurants and businesses are located. Known as the commercial neighborhood aimed mainly at tourists.
- Small port: A place within the boardwalk where you can find and hire various experiences and tours in the city or on the Amazon River. Here we can find houses that have a Baroque and Gothic style, which greatly increases tourism and things to do in Iquitos.
- Visit the lower area: It is the entertainment area of the city, here we find the main bars and clubs that are frequently visited by people who visit the city. Here you also have the option to enjoy the experience of a night walk along the Itaya River.
- Get to know the Anaconda Craft Center: You can find this craft center where local people make items that serve as souvenirs for travelers and they can purchase them at the various stalls that you can find here.
- Visit the main square of Iquitos: Less than 2 minutes from the boardwalk we can find a traditional main square where travelers take a moment to enjoy the place, take some photos, taste the food and then continue with their activities.
- Museum of Amazonian Indigenous Cultures: It is an anthropological center that is located on the same boardwalk, its purpose is the interpretation of the native communities of the Amazon.
Indigenous Amazon Tribes Museum
6.- VISIT PACAYA SAMIRIA
One of the things to do in Iquitos that you will love will be the tour of the Pacaya Samiria reserve, this is a very large protected place (more than 2 million hectares). To get here you must take a car from Iquitos to the Nauta sector (It lasts approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes), then continue by boat along the Marañon River until you reach the Santo Domingo control point where the controls are carried out permits and income (s/30.00 soles). It is important to mention that to visit this protected space you can only do so in the company of a travel agency with permission from SERNANP.
Once inside the Pacaya Samiria reserve, you can see wildlife up close, mainly macaws, anacondas, monkeys, pink dolphins, insects and much endemic flora of the place. After spending a couple of days here, you will feel like you don’t want to go back to the city.
Travelers Visiting the Pacaya Samiria Reserve
7.- FIND THE CONNECTION WITH NATURE
“I needed a break from the routine, so I chose to travel to the Peruvian Amazon. I visited Pacaya Samiria with Aqua Nera cruise, and Auri helped me with all the arrangements for this experience. I can only say… I loved it!”
Frank Lamberg, January 2024.
7.- SEE THE EIFFEL IRON HOUSE
There are things to do in Iquitos that are unique, such as visiting the iconic metal building in the city. The important thing about this building is that it was made by Gustav Eiffel himself, who is recognized worldwide for having built the Eiffel Tower in Paris. To make this construction possible in Iquitos, pieces of metal were sent on ships across the Atlantic Ocean.
This building is located in the main square and today it is one of the most important tourist attractions in Iquitos, both the walls, the roof and the balcony are covered with iron sheets that give it a strange but at the same time striking appearance. Currently there is a pharmacy on the first floor and a restaurant serving local food on the second floor.
Iron House
8.- WALK THE STREETS BY MOTOTAXI
There are things to do in Iquitos that are very traditional and mandatory to do. Among these is enjoying motorcycle taxi rides, which are vehicles with only 3 wheels. Although they seem strange, they are very comfortable and recommended for short trips.
Mototaxi
9.- TRY AMAZON FOOD
Tasting and enjoying Amazonian food is one of the things to do in Iquitos that you will truly remember for a lifetime. Throughout the country, gastronomy is something representative that fills us with pride, however in the jungle you can find unique flavors due to the ingredients it has, here you can find traditional dishes such as Juane (mixture of rice, chicken, eggs and herbs wrapped in bijao leaves), tacacho (pork and banana in onigiri style, usually boiled or fried), local fruit juices such as lucuma or passion fruit.
Juane Dish
The things to do in Iquitos are unlimited, as we mentioned before it is important that you have advance planning. Auri Peru is a specialist in organizing trips to the Peruvian jungle, contact us for more information, we will be happy to help you.
“The purpose of the trip is not the place, but the new way of seeing things.”
