If you are thinking of heading into the Amazon
region of Peru, then there is good chance that you will
arrive in the region’s largest city of Iquitos.
Known as a doorway for Peru tours
into the Amazon, Iquitos is also known for being the world’s
most populous city that has no road leading in. For trips
to Iquitos Peru, you will either have to go by plane or
by boat. Flights from
the capital city of Lima are likely
your best bet, and the ticket prices are generally low,
typically coming in at under $100. If you have the extra
time, and don’t mind the hot, long trip, going by
boat can be quite an experience. Two cities where you
can embark on your Iquitos Amazon boat adventure, are
Pucallpa and Yurimaguas. Once you do arrive, you will
notice that the city sits on the banks of the Amazon River,
and it is a thriving place where lumber, beer, oil and
rum are among the chief industries. If you are flying
to Iquitos, be prepared for a pretty hectic airport when
you arrive. Using some common sense when looking for travel
from the airport into town will help you keep safe. You
can catch a cab if you want, but if your luggage is not
too much, then you might opt to take one of the city buses
that can be found along the main road that lies just outside
the airport gates.
Knowing a bit about Iquitos history is sure to help
you better enjoy your Iquitos Amazon vacation. Iquitos
Peru was founded in the 1750's by Jesuits, though some
argue that the actual founding of the city came almost
100 years later, when the Loreto Region where it is found
was created. Prior to the arrival of the Jesuits, the
area was inhabited by different groups, such as the Cocama
and Bora. Iquitos would become the capital city of this
region in the 1860's, about the time the city aligned
itself with Manaus,
Brazil as a leader in the rubber industry. The “Rubber
Boom” of the Amazon lasted roughly from the 1870's
until the early 1900's, and the city still boasts some
wonderful mansions that were built along the river during
this time. Among these mansions is the Casa de Fierro,
or Iron House, which Gustave Eiffel designed as an attraction
at the Paris Exhibition of 1889. In case you are wondering,
Gustave Eiffel, is the man who designed the Eiffel
Tower. The Iron House he created was sent unassembled
to Iquitos, where it was built on its present-day site.
As rubber tree seeds began to be smuggled and planted
outside of the country, the Iquitos rubber boom began
its decline, and the aforementioned industries started
to prevail. Iquitos Amazon tourism is on the rise, and
it now figures among the primary industries sustaining
the city.
The Iron House of Iquitos sits on the main square, which like most Peruvian cities, is named the Plaza de Armas. Another wonderful attraction found on the plaza is the Iglesia Matriz, or parish church, which is a neo-gothic structure that was built in the early 1900's. Just about a block from the Plaza de Armas is the Malecón Tarapacá riverfront promenade. Besides its welcoming benches and its attractive street lamps, the promenade features some large fountains, among the most interesting of which is one that depicts a good-sized pink dolphin. It is here that you will find mansions from the rubber days, such as Casa Hernández and Casa Cohen. Further along the Malecón Tarapacá, you will find the Amazon Museum, where you can find exhibits that offer insight into the past culture of Iquitos. This museum is housed in an attractive period mansion and is open every day but Sunday. If you want to do some shopping while you are in Iquitos, you might consider walking to the open-air market in the Belén neighborhood. Touring Belén by boat is among the top Iquitos tours within the city realms, and the neighborhood’s floating houses provide insight into the current culture of Iquitos. Due to Iquitos’s distance from the Andes and the coastal Peruvian cities, there is a very different feel here, particularly in Belén, which seems more like an Asian river city. The Spanish you hear while vacationing in the region reflects the unique culture of Iquitos, and the relaxed mood of the city is likely to keep you there for at least a few days.
Most people who visit Iquitos come to explore the Amazon rainforest. Iquitos tours are on the rise, and you will find plenty of opportunities to book one of these tours with an agent, before or after you arrive. For help finding Iquitos tours that best suit you, you may choose to ask around at the airport information desks. Guided treks, visits to area lodges, and cruises on the Amazon River are among the most popular Iquitos tours, and if you like birdwatching, then you will appreciate the opportunities for Iquitos birding. Some of the birds you can expect to see while Iquitos birding are Pale-legged Horneros, Black Vultures and Kingfishers. Some of the eco-tour packages will have you staying in the best of Iquitos hotels, as well as engaging in a canopy walk, among other planned activities. Regardless of whether or not you book an Iquitos vacation package, you can be sure that your trip here will result in a lifetime of memories.
