Surviving the Amazon; Iquitos, Peru

Iquitos is a large city of about 400,000 people. It is land-locked, with impenetrable jungle surrounding it, the only way to get there is by boat or airplane. Yet it is the hub of commerce in the Peruvian Amazon. Iquitos is the furthest port upriver on the Amazon, large ocean going ships come to there to transport goods from the jungle to the rest of the world. Iquitos has a rich history dating back to the 1800^s when it was the center of the world for rubber exports. European aristocracy would make the trip up the Amazon to Iquitos and vacation there. Iquitos is 2500 miles from the mouth of the Amazon by boat, and at 725 feet in elevation. Today, Iquitos still remains a frontier town that is working at becoming the hub for Ecotourism in the Amazon.  

Iquitos Streets

Iquitos Transportation

In the city of Iquitos you will find Tourist police that are there to assist the visitor. Iquitos also has cell phone towers and your GSM phone should work. I dial direct to there several time a week and can easily reach friends there on their cell phones.

The district of Belen in the city is very dangerous. Have a local guide and watch your back at all times. The waterfront at the ferry landing is the same way, check with the main office as you enter the ferry landings for the correct boat to get on then get on the ferry. The purser will come by to get your payment. Don't be surprised if he shows up at 4am and wakes you to get paid.

Sunset on the Amazon