Cruises to Iquitos

3 Reviews
Iquitos (Photo:Jess Kraft/Shutterstock)

About Cruising to Iquitos

Iquitos, the gateway to the Peruvian Amazon, is the jumping-off point for both river cruises and trips to the area's many jungle ecolodges. Although the metro area is home to nearly a half-million people, Iquitos is one of the world's most remote cities; you can only get there by plane or boat. (Most visitors arrive via a two-hour flight from Lima, Peru.)

As you approach by air, Iquitos seems dwarfed by the verdant rainforest surrounding it in all directions. But once you land, the city comes to noisy, colorful life. Motorbikes and tuk tuks swarm the streets with little care for traffic lanes or laws. Stalls at the bustling Belen Market are laden with goods from the Amazon region, from hearts of palm and exotic fruits to caiman heads and every kind of fish you can imagine. Stray dogs loll on the sidewalks, and the air feels like a humid blanket, tinged with the scent of diesel.

Many river cruisers arrive in Iquitos the day their cruise starts and are whisked from the airport to their vessel without getting much of a taste of the city itself. It's true there are no blockbuster sights here, and the city's faded elegance -- a remnant of the rubber boom of the late 19th and early 20th centuries -- can sometimes cross the line into simple shabbiness. But if you enjoy destinations where the primary pleasures are people watching, soaking up the atmosphere and observing everyday life, Iquitos is well worth an extra night's stay.

  • More about Iquitos

  • Why Cruise to Iquitos?

  • Currency & Best Way to Get Money?

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Delfin III
Delfin III (Photo: Delfin Amazon Cruises)

10 Night
From The Inca Empire To The Peruvian Amazon

6 Reviews
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Aria Amazon
Aria Amazon (Photo: Aqua Expeditions)

15 Night
Peruvian Amazon & Machu Picchu Exploration

19 Reviews
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Delfin III
Delfin III (Photo: Delfin Amazon Cruises)

17 Night
From The Inca Empire To The Peruvian Amazon With G...

6 Reviews
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Aria Amazon
Aria Amazon (Photo: Aqua Expeditions)

10 Night
Peruvian Rivers & Rainforest Discovery

19 Reviews
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15 Night
Peruvian Amazon & Machu Picchu Exploration

19 Reviews
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10 Night
Peruvian Rivers & Rainforest Discovery

19 Reviews
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Cruise Critic Favorite

9 Night
<p>wild Peru Escape: Amazon And Machu Picchu</p>

4 Reviews
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18 Night
Expedition Amazon - Legend, Life Source And Labyr...

2 Reviews
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Cruise Critic Favorite

10 Night
<p>upper Amazon Aboard The Delfin Ii</p>

4 Reviews
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More about Iquitos

Why Cruise to Iquitos?

Pros:

Areas like the fascinating Belen district offer a glimpse of local life

Cons:

There are few must-see sights or great restaurants, and some historic buildings seem to be crumbling

Bottom Line:

The city is a good spot for people watching without the crowds or expense of mass tourism

Currency & Best Way to Get Money?

The local currency is the Peruvian nuevo sol. There are several banks with ATMs near the Plaza de Armas. Note that before flying to Iquitos most passengers pass through the Lima airport, where there are numerous ATMs and change bureaus. There are also several ATMs in the departures area of the Iquitos airport, near the check-in counters.

Language?

Spanish is the local language, and if you don't know it, you might want to bring a phrasebook or use a translation app on your phone. We found that even some locals who frequently encounter tourists (such as hotel staff, waiters and tour guides) didn't speak much English.


Iquitos Cruise Reviews
Nice town.Read More
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Amazoncruiser1
Interesting busy city. Enjoyed the taxis.Read More
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belletravel
We were collected from our hotel and taken to the Port - all very efficient and no fuss.Read More
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Millerman1007

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