How many days in Iquitos?
When traveling to Peru, how many days in Iquitos do you need?
Iquitos really is a special city. The gateway into Peru’s stunning Amazonian Rainforest, it’s the perfect place to explore remote towns and exotic animals.
While here in Iquitos you can also discover the lost art of shamanism, a religious practice that still thrives today in this part of the country.
How Many Days in Iquitos?
In this guide, we’ll look at why you should visit Iquitos, how many days are needed here, the best time to visit and much more.
Is Iquitos Worth Visiting?
Here are our reasons why you must visit Iquitos when heading to Peru.
- Rich with Exotic Fauna and Flora – The most biodiverse region in the world, The Amazon is full of incredible species found nowhere else on earth. With Pink River Dolphins, Jaguars, Snakes and Sloths all waiting for you (some friendlier than others), you’ll have ample opportunities to make some new jungle amigos. This full day tour is a perfect option for those looking to see some awesome wildlife and rare animal species
- A Bustling Jungle City – If you’ve never been to South America before, then you’ll quickly find that Iquitos has a very unique assault on the senses. With mototaxis ruling the roads, unique architecture and jungle cuisine in spades, it’ll be a memorable experience for sure. After all, Iquitos is the largest city in the world that cannot be accessed by road, so it’s bound to be different in its ways!
- Time to Relax – Whilst Iquitos is overwhelming at times, it’s easy to book tours or retreats from here into the deep jungle for a much-needed recharge. Ayahuasca, a native brew prepared by shamans, is also common here and an increasingly popular reason for tourists to visit Iquitos.
How many Days do you need to visit Iquitos?
Given Iquitos is so secluded, it’s definitely worth spending more time (rather than less) exploring the city and the surrounding Amazon Jungle.
We recommend planning to stay 5 days in Iquitos.
Now since the jungle is the top sight, most of the time will actually be spent outside of Iquitos on organized tours, which usually range from 1-4 days (goes without saying… please don’t walk in there by yourself).
It’ll also be plenty of time to get to know the jungle city itself, and one or two small towns downstream too.
Those who want to see more of the deep Amazon will need more time of course. We highly recommend heading on this 3 Day Tour, where you’ll meet the indigenous Yahuas Tribe, spot Pink River Dolphins as well as have all jungle lodging included in the price.
Is Iquitos Safe?
Iquitos can vary when it comes to general safety. Staying near the Plaza de Armas is preferred, just try not to walk along the malecón (street next to the river) alone late at night, since there are all sorts of people loitering around.
Given we’re in the jungle, there are other things you’ll need to be aware of! It’s not uncommon to see a snake or tarantula here, so keep your distance.
Swimming in the river by yourself is a pretty bad idea, given your company could be critters like Caiman and Pirañas (there are safe areas to swim, which tours will take you too).
Also, be sure to learn (at the very least) some basic Spanish lingo to help you get by when moving around this city. You can practice with locals and travelers you meet on the road.
How to get to Iquitos from Lima?
The only (realistic) way from Lima to Iquitos will be through the sky.
There are flights leaving several times a day from the Jorge Chávez airport in the capital, which take around 2 hours to arrive in Iquitos. Average prices for a one-way flight vary between $40-70 depending on the season. LATAM and Sky Airline are the main airlines serving this route.
Now for those who have the time, or want a really off the beaten path experience, then listen up! It’s possible to get from Lima to Iquitos overland, where you’ll be able to experience more of the true Peru along the way.
You’ll first need to take a 10 hour bus from Lima to the town of Huánuco, deep within the Andes. After some time hiking and getting to know the area, you can then catch a small flight to Pucallpa (there are buses too but they’re pretty infrequent – you’ll need to check this when you get there).
From here you’ll then catch the two-day boat heading along the Amazon River to Iquitos. Given it’s more expensive and that travel time will be around 3 days, it’s out of most itineraries. However, it’ll for sure be a memorable experience.
Travelers who really want to push the boat out (pun intended) can also get to Iquitos from neighbouring Brazil or Colombia, where you can take a multi-day cruise along the Amazon River to reach Iquitos
Best time to visit Iquitos?
Deep within the Amazon, Iquitos is hot and humid year-round. It does have months that are drier than others too, which can vary your experience here.
Annual temperatures barely fluctuate that much, with daily averages of between 78-79°F. Highs can reach up to 89°F (around October) with evening lows dipping to 71°F.
Although it seems it’ll be the same year-round, it’s the humidity that can either make Iquitos pleasant to walk around or overbearingly hot and sticky. The least humid time to visit Iquitos is between June and September.
When it comes to rainfall, Iquitos is going to be wetter year-round than most other parts of Peru (we are in the jungle, after all). However, we can still say there’s a dry and wet season here too.
The dry season runs from June until September, where monthly rainfall hovers between 5-6 inches throughout each (July is usually the driest of the year). These months also tend to be the least humid, and less overrun with pesky mosquitoes.
The contrasting wet season (October until May) can see anywhere from 7.5-11 inches each, which coupled with increasing levels of humidity, can make for a pretty wild experience. This is a better season for greener vegetation, and also for exploring the jungle deeper by boat (given rivers will be wider).
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How many days in Iquitos?
Although it’s just a two hour flight from Lima, Iquitos is well within the deep Amazonian jungle. And with its own rules and exotic nature in abundance, you feel like you’re in one of the most secluded cities in the world.
In this guide we’ve delved into Iquitos, and why you should visit this awesome jungle city. We’ve also covered the best time to visit, our top safety tips as well as anything else you’ll need to know.
Why not see our backpacking Peru itinerary for more Peru travel advice?
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