Additional activities around Iquitos

Except our excursions and expeditions people can visit other additional activities around Iquitos city.

• EXOTIC AND ENERGETIC CITY OF IQUITOS

Iquitos, the capital city of Peruvian Amazon, is exotic, energetic, mysterious and by the way also fresh and jovial, and this is unique of all cities in Peru. It's surroundings only by rivers and jungle and isn't in connection by roads with other world, is like an island. U can get here only by boats or by flight.

City tour - for visit the main famous places in Iquitos:

The main square "Plaza de Armas" with cathedral / "La Casa de Fierro" / "The iron house" was built by Eiffel / "The Boulevard" - pedestrian zone with the view to the Amazon river, here is a lot of restaurants and cafe, where you can enjoy the atmosphere or your favorite drink /  Museo Culturas Indígenas Amazónicas - This exhibition is a celebration of indigenous  cultures of the Amazon. Admires indigenous culture in harmony with nature, in its various forms as a religion, daily life, ceremonies and traditions that continue between humans and the Amazon forests 

Famous Mercado Belen where you can get everything, food, medicinal plants, mapacho...But is necessary to be careful for stoling things (camera, phones, money..)

• NATIVE COMMUNITY BORA AND YAGUA

Bora and Yagua Indians live on the Momon River near the village of San Andres. Each community wears their own traditional clothing made from tree Oje, called "Chanchama" and the women are normally bare breasted. They will dance and sing for you and then invite you to dance with them before showing you their handicrafts which they hope you will buy. They used the money as their source of income which they also use to buy medicines for the children. 

How to get there: 

- to the port of Bella Vista Nanay and from there rent an aluminum speedboat for an hour or two to take you for the 20 minutes ride to San Andres. Enter is 25 soles at the last time but it can change.

• MANATEE RESCUE CENTER

The ACOBIA-DWAzoo Amazonian Manatee Rescue Center is located 4.5 klms from Iquitos Airport on the main Iquitos to Nauta highway. The facility is run by IIAP the Research Institute for the Peruvian Amazon. The center welcomes visitors every day and the Visitors Center has a lecture room and shows videos of Manatees displaying the valuable work the center carries out. There are pools with baby manatees up to 2 years old. After the young ones reach 2 years old they are released into the wild. Baby manatees feed exclusively on their milk from mother for about 18 months and then they feed on vegetation which is supplemented by this milk until they are 2 years old and gain independence. Visitors are invited to bottle feed the youngsters, so it really is a "hands on" experience. 

The center is supported by Dallas World Aquarium in the U.S.A. whose help is invaluable but the rescue center still relies on donations to continue its work.

• PILPINTUWASI – RESCUE AND BUTTERFLY FARM

Pilpintuwasi is a butterfly farm and an animal sanctuary and it is worthwhile going there. You will learn all about the life cycle of butterflies and get to meet some of the animals that Gudren Sperrer the owner has rescued over the years. Pedro Bello is a 5 year old jaguar that Gudrun rescued as a cub. There are also alligators, a manatee and lots of monkeys. Watch out for the monkeys, they are very proficient thieves and will steal anything they can get their hands on. Best to take a bunch of bananas and bribe them to leave you alone. 

How to get there: 

- to Puerto Bella Vista Nanay and from there a water taxi (or colectivo) for about 15 minutes to the village of Padre Cocha, from there it is only a short walk to the entrance of Pilpintuwasi.

• QUISTOCOCHA AND SAPI SAPI LAKE

Quistococha Lake is located on the way from Iquitos to Nauta, there is a nice beach for swim and people can visit there Botanic garden with medicinal plants and Zoo, all is in one areal. There are also some restaurants with local meals and grilled fishes. People can see there nice exhibition with dolphin called Huayrurin. In the center of Nauta there is a small lake Sapi sapi where we can observe turtles and crocodiles. Is traded one legend about this lake that one Siren lives here and with her beauty attracts people. Around this lake is a wall with legends of the jungle.

How to get there: with bus or motocara from Iquitos, enter is 9 soles

• MONKEY ISLAND

Some two hours down the Amazon by fast boat lies Monkey Island. This sanctuary was provided because here in the rainforest monkey meat is on many of the local diets. Local people shoot monkeys to eat and sell the babies as pets. The 200 hectare island is inhabited by 9 species of monkey in 10 family units and they live safely. The monkeys roam freely and feed off a variety of fruits such as star fruit, banana, pineapple, cocona and guava, these were especially planted to ensure the monkey’s staple diet is maintained. As soon as visitors arrive at the island the monkeys swarm towards them so it’s always best to take some bananas with you so as not to disappoint them. You can go for a walk through the rainforest and the monkeys will follow you, one even leading you by the hand. There is no charge for visiting Monkey Island but visitors are expected to make a voluntary contribution for the upkeep of the sanctuary. Allow a full day for this trip.

• BOTANIC GARDEN WITH MEDICINAL PLANTS IN ALLPAHUAYO MISHANA RESERVE

This large area is located  on the road from Iquitos to Nauta, near to Iquitos. Here you can find a lot of medicinal plants and trees in the wild jungle. Each plant has its description with the name, use and species. Except this you can walk here two long trails through the jungle. In this area is also mariposario where born butterflies.

view the touristic map of Iquitos

If you are going to visit this amazing city Iquitos we wish you a good trip with enjoying this place and its surroundings.

Amazon Green Ecolodge