IQUITOS

Altitude: 106 m | Climate: 22–33°C | Hot and humid year-round, rainiest from November to May
How to get there: Only by plane (1.5 hours from Lima) or by riverboat (several days)

Iquitos is the largest city in the world unreachable by road. Deep in the Amazon, it’s surrounded entirely by jungle — you can only arrive by air or by navigating the Amazon River for days.

The city itself is charming: colonial-era buildings adorned with mosaic tiles from the rubber boom, and the vibrant Belén Market, a whirlwind of colors, smells, and flavors. Here you’ll find jungle meats, exotic fruits, medicinal herbs, and river fish — an unforgettable sensory experience.

Just outside lies the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, the so-called “Forest of Mirrors,” named for the way its flooded waters reflect the sky. It’s Peru’s second-largest protected area, brimming with wildlife.

Lodges vary from rustic to luxury, some 3–4 hours upriver by boat, deep in the jungle. Nights are filled with the sounds of nature — loud, wild, and alive. You’ll eat what’s caught and harvested locally, explore by canoe, and often spot pink and gray river dolphins. Indigenous communities such as the Boras and Yaguas welcome visitors to share their crafts and traditions.

Practical tip: Bring lightweight long-sleeved clothing (for mosquitoes), strong repellent, jungle boots (usually provided by lodges), a flashlight, and sunscreen. Drink bottled water only. A yellow fever vaccine is recommended.