The world’s largest city unreachable by road, Iquitos is a sprawling port along the Itaya River. It’s a gateway to the jungle lodges of Peru’s northern Amazon and is home to a pulsing market and ornate European architecture dating back to the early-20th-century rubber boom.

Things to do

Spend an afternoon wandering around the lively Belén district, renowned for its open-air street market where you can sample a range of Amazonian produce. Explore Pasaje Paquito, where traditional medicines are sold, then wander amidst the “floating houses” built on stilts along the flooded banks of the Itaya River.

Interested in learning about the indigenous people of the Amazon region? Visit the Museum of Indigenous Amazon Cultures where handicrafts, traditional dress and ceremonial objects offer insight into life for Amazonian communities and how they have lived harmoniously with nature.

Don’t miss the Museum of Historic Boats, which occupies a beautifully restored 1906 Amazon riverboat moored just below Plaza Castilla. Discover the role boats played during Iquitos’ rubber boom years, then enjoy a boat ride to where the Itaya River meets the mighty Amazon.

Embark on an adventure to Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, which protects a vast tract of Amazonian jungle. It’s home to endangered spider monkeys, scarlet macaws and pink Amazon dolphins. Boat excursions are the best way to explore its forests and indigenous villages.

Getting around

Iquitos International Airport is a 30-minute drive from the city centre and there are regular boats to towns and villages throughout the Amazon. Although motocarros (motorcycle taxis) are the main means of getting around Iquitos, many of the city’s sights are accessible on foot.